Flexplate Issues

[MustangGuy2k]

Hi Everyone,

Went to put on the FlexPlate I thought would fit a 351C engine, however, the bolt holes are not properly aligned. This was originally purchased for a 302, however, when I look up Flexplates anything that is listed for the 351C also fits the 302.

Any help on this? I hate to hone out the bolt holes just to make it fit.

Thanks,
MustangGuy2K

 

[MustangGuy2k]

Here is a picture of it;

 

[Sheriff41]

Keep rotating the flexplate until the holes line up. It only aligns one way.

 

[MustangGuy2k]

I'll spin it more, but I thought the same and turn it a lot already.

 

[Cleveland Crush]

I'll spin it more, but I thought the same and turn it a lot already.

When you find the plate's proper alignment, punch a light dimple (or marker) immediately adjacent to the existing dimple on your flexplate to make future R&R easier.

 

[Sheriff41]

If you're putting in an automatic be sure to remove that pilot bearing.

 

[MustangGuy2k]

If you're putting in an automatic be sure to remove that pilot bearing.

That is a new issue. I remove what seemed to be the pilot bearing, however, there is another bearing in there that won't allow the converter to seat in that hole. I may have to weld a bolt to the bear because a pilot bearing puller just won't grab the edge of the bearing. Why two bearings?

 

[Sheriff41]

Not sure why there would be two bearings. Can you post a picture? If someone pushed another bearing or an old pilot bushing further in, that would be a problem. I know this sounds strange, but an old trick is to pack the center hole of the bushing or bearing with bread until full, then take a rod or dowel that just fits the hole and drive the bread into the hole, repack and repeat until the bread forces the bushing out of the crankshaft. Bearing grease works, also, but is much messier than the bread. You can find YouTube videos on this technique.

 

[turtle5353]

Sheriff is correct. Bread works great. I have done it several times in the past.

 

[Hemikiller]

The bearing is usually pressed into an adapter.

 

[mjlan]

Bread works great. Before I learned about the bread method I used grease and an extension wrapped in tape which is more effort to clean up than bread...

 

[Cleveland Crush]

Not sure why there would be two bearings. Can you post a picture? If someone pushed another bearing or an old pilot bushing further in, that would be a problem. I know this sounds strange, but an old trick is to pack the center hole of the bushing or bearing with bread until full, then take a rod or dowel that just fits the hole and drive the bread into the hole, repack and repeat until the bread forces the bushing out of the crankshaft. Bearing grease works, also, but is much messier than the bread. You can find YouTube videos on this technique.

What type of bread Sheriff-Italian, whole wheat, French?

 

[Sheriff41]

What type of bread Sheriff-Italian, whole wheat, French?

Whole wheat, of course. You can use Italian bread for your Ferrari and French bread for your Peugeot.

 

[MustangGuy2k]

The bearing is usually pressed into an adapter.

View attachment 89640

This is the same bearing setup I have, the first middle one came out with a puller, but there is no lip to grab with the puller like the first one. It seems more flash. Looking to weld a bolt and nut to it and use it to pull the second bearing.

 

[MustangGuy2k]

This picture shows the second bearing.

 

[71coop]

Not sure why there would be two bearings. Can you post a picture? If someone pushed another bearing or an old pilot bushing further in, that would be a problem. I know this sounds strange, but an old trick is to pack the center hole of the bushing or bearing with bread until full, then take a rod or dowel that just fits the hole and drive the bread into the hole, repack and repeat until the bread forces the bushing out of the crankshaft. Bearing grease works, also, but is much messier than the bread. You can find YouTube videos on this technique.

I've done that a time or three. Works surprisingly well.