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Drive Plates?
#81924
06/30/08 12:10 AM
06/30/08 12:10 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 271
Nevada Iowa
dodgepaul
OP
enthusiast
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OP
enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 271
Nevada Iowa
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What the difference (besides the size) between the two different sizes of drive plates on the back of bigblock motors?
Also why do the crack the way they do? Ideas? Thanks Paul
1970 4spd Superbird, '69 Charger 500 Daytona clone,2015 Hellcat 6-spd B-5 Blue,1968 572 Hemi Charger,70 GTX 535 6-pac 4 spd,69 GTX 440 4-speed Super Trac Pac Car, 1973 383 Barracuda, and a couple Cummins
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Re: Drive Plates?
[Re: 451Mopar]
#81927
06/30/08 12:15 PM
06/30/08 12:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 25,200
Upper Midwest
MoparforLife
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 25,200
Upper Midwest
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Quote:
if you mean the flexplates, the different sizes were for the different torque converter bolt patterns (diameter.)
I believe the factory used a 10" and 11" diameter bolt pattern where the spacing is off-set so the converter only bolts up one way. I think the converter bolts are 5/16" diameter.
Most of the aftermarket converters use larger diameter bolts, an the smaller 10" diameter bolt circle. I also believe the bolt lugs are evenly spaced on the aftermarket (performance) converters.
The pressure in the torque converter can make the converter housing change size, so the flexplate lets the converter move forward and aft. If it was mounted solid, it would be putting a large throst load on the engines main thrust bearing.
Racing converters use an "anit-balloning" plate or billit front cover to help address the problem.
The flexplate can also allow for some minor misalignment between the engine and transmission.
Engine to transmission runout problems are more likely to crack the flexplate. There are several aftermarket flexplates. Some are totally solid, and some use thicker steel than stock.
Coverter lugs on after market are teh same spacing as EOM. But usually use 3/8 or 7/16 bolts instead of the 5/16 OEM converters used. Remember that they also have the off set bolt at the crankshaft and only will mount on the crankshaft 1 way too.
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