flex plate problem fixed

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

May 1, 2015 | 02:20 PM

Furr308

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Jun 2014

Posts: 89

Likes: 0

From: Colorado springs

flex plate problem fixed

Awhile back I posted about my 85 f250 going through starters. So Im posting the part numbers so no one else goes through the same problems. Also, someone on my old thread said they didnt know if a starter for a manual would engage on a flex plate. Well it will, but it will tear itself and the flexplate up. I got the correct flexplate from autozone. Both Autozone and Orielys use the Pioneer brand. The one you want to get is actually for the 302. the autozone part number is FRA-231 It measures 14.25 outside diameter. The one for the 351w HO (what I had ) FRA-202 has an O.D of 14.23. That is enough of a difference to cause my problems. The ford OEM numbers are on the autozone pictures in the links. I would also recommend, if youre replacing the starter, and not spending the money on a brand new one, to get the lifetime re-man starter. On the standard re-man's they dont change the gear.

FRA-231 (The one you want):
Pioneer/Flywheel - Automatic Transmission FRA-231 at AutoZone.com

FRA-202 (The one you dont want):
Pioneer/Flywheel - Automatic Transmission FRA-202 at AutoZone.com

May 1, 2015 | 03:27 PM

rla2005

Fleet Owner

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 20,789

Likes: 1,753

From: Kentucky

The 5.0L and 5.8L engines use a difference balance for the flexplate. 5.0L engine uses a 50 oz. The 5.8l uses 28 oz. If you use the wrong one there are other issues going to happen.

May 1, 2015 | 04:02 PM

Furr308

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Jun 2014

Posts: 89

Likes: 0

From: Colorado springs

The new flexplate I bought was exactly the same as the one that was chewed up, except that it was the correct O.D. And I checked and the 5.0 is a 50 oz and the 5.8 is 28oz. So Ill pull it and take some weight off I guess. I work at a fab shop so it wont be hard. Im selling the truck to someone thats going to rebuild the whole engine, transmission, and rear end and sell it for more. The truck drove fine, with no abnormal vibrations. It accelerated fine, and idled fine. But ya learned me something today, and I'll remember that for future reference.

May 1, 2015 | 04:08 PM

rla2005

Fleet Owner

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 20,789

Likes: 1,753

From: Kentucky

Very strange the slight OD made a difference. Also very surprised a little vibration was not induced because of the balance difference. Good deal you can shave off a little balancer weight!