Flexplate/torque converter making noise?
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From: KS
Flexplate/torque converter making noise?
Hey everyone,
I have a 79 Ranchero (302 w/ C4), and when it idles, i notice that there is a loud clinging/clanging noise. Once i touch the pedal, and keep it at 1500-2000 RPM, it seems to go away. At first I thought it was my exhaust pipes, but now I think it may be the flexplate/torque converter. I took the bottom cover plate off of the bellhousing and grabbed a hold of one of the converter bolts through the flexplate. I could barely move the assembly (less than 1/8 of an inch back and forth). Should it move at all, or could the flex be possibly "bouncing" on the bolts from the flex to the crank? I guess I'm just basically trying to see if there should be any give.
Thanks
Danny
I have a 79 Ranchero (302 w/ C4), and when it idles, i notice that there is a loud clinging/clanging noise. Once i touch the pedal, and keep it at 1500-2000 RPM, it seems to go away. At first I thought it was my exhaust pipes, but now I think it may be the flexplate/torque converter. I took the bottom cover plate off of the bellhousing and grabbed a hold of one of the converter bolts through the flexplate. I could barely move the assembly (less than 1/8 of an inch back and forth). Should it move at all, or could the flex be possibly "bouncing" on the bolts from the flex to the crank? I guess I'm just basically trying to see if there should be any give.
Thanks
Danny
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: So Cal
Not sure about your model, but I have never seen a flexplate and converter that were properly bolted together move at all. They should act like a single solid unit with no real movement back and forth, at least in my limited experience.
The only movement should be around the normal direction the engine turns. You might see if you can turn the converter until you can see the damaged area. Of course I assume you know to disconnect the coil, maype pull the plugs to make it easier to turn and you might need a big screw driver or better once of those big converter wrenches.
Lastly I assume the bolts on the converter are tight.
Sounds like it is time to rent a tranny jack.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
The only movement should be around the normal direction the engine turns. You might see if you can turn the converter until you can see the damaged area. Of course I assume you know to disconnect the coil, maype pull the plugs to make it easier to turn and you might need a big screw driver or better once of those big converter wrenches.
Lastly I assume the bolts on the converter are tight.
Sounds like it is time to rent a tranny jack.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,182
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
I am not sure what you mean by "barely move the assembly" but the torque converter should be tightly bolted to the flex plate. It sounds like the plate and converter are not securely bolted together. If they are, then the flex plate may be cracked around the bolt circle where it bolts to the crankshaft.
Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT
Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT
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From: KS
Sorry, the flex and the converter don't move separate. They are a solid unit that move together. So that's why I wanted to know if there should be any play at all where the flex meets the end of the crank.
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From: socal
I have almost the same thing going on with my 460/C6 combo, sounds like lifters ticking but is very loud right at the bell housing/TC area, as soon as I breath on the gas it is gone, the consensus seems to be loose converter bolts. It looks like there is no inspection cover so it may have to be pulled. No fun.
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Joined: May 2003
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I have seen many flexplates broken around the crank bolts. That makes a loud rattle noise.
The 460 C6 has a small inspection cover at the bottom center of the bell housing in the steel plate behind the motor. The exhaust pipe makes it a little hard to see and get to.
The 460 C6 has a small inspection cover at the bottom center of the bell housing in the steel plate behind the motor. The exhaust pipe makes it a little hard to see and get to.
Last edited by rclarke; Jun 26, 2006 at 04:15 PM.
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Elder User
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From: Mississauga,Ont.,Canada
Had the same symptons on a van. In the end the flex plate had a crack in it that went in a circle around the bolts.
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From: Western Central NV
Originally Posted by rclarke
I have seen many flexplates broken around the crank bolts. That makes a loud rattle noise.
The 460 C6 has a small inspection cover at the bottom center of the bell housing in the steel plate behind the motor. The exhaust pipe makes it a little hard to see and get to.
The 460 C6 has a small inspection cover at the bottom center of the bell housing in the steel plate behind the motor. The exhaust pipe makes it a little hard to see and get to.
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