Flexplate...anybody know...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,172
Likes: 11
From: somers, ny
Flexplate...anybody know...
Who makes the 153 tooth externally balanced flexplate that LPE sells? This is for an externally balanced 406......and i can't find a 153 tooth flexplate for it. LPE gets more than 2 times the price of a normal flexplate for theirs and i assume someone else makes it for them. Any other recommendations welcome.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Re: Flexplate...anybody know... (ralph)
Ralph,
The first thing you have to know, is whether it is a one or two piece seal crankshaft. I'll assume, since it's a 406 that it's a two piece seal crank. GM never made any production, 4.125" bore blocks for the one piece seal. However, my Bowtie block is a one piece seal design. GM never used the 153 toothed flexplate with the external balance. I used to handle Pioneer, and I couldn't find where they offered a two piece bolt patterned, unbalanced, 153 toother. After a ton of typing a week or two ago to help another poster, he informed us that he had a one piece seal crank, and found a Hayes at either Summit or Jegs. A couple of other ways to go include, buying one of the "add on weights" I've seen in the Summit catalog, or swap in a 168 toothed flexplate. The nose piece of the starter has to be changed, or the starter swapped. One advantage to the 168 toother, is a slightly better gear ratio between the starter and the engine, for easier cranking. Good luck, and...
RACE ON!!!
The first thing you have to know, is whether it is a one or two piece seal crankshaft. I'll assume, since it's a 406 that it's a two piece seal crank. GM never made any production, 4.125" bore blocks for the one piece seal. However, my Bowtie block is a one piece seal design. GM never used the 153 toothed flexplate with the external balance. I used to handle Pioneer, and I couldn't find where they offered a two piece bolt patterned, unbalanced, 153 toother. After a ton of typing a week or two ago to help another poster, he informed us that he had a one piece seal crank, and found a Hayes at either Summit or Jegs. A couple of other ways to go include, buying one of the "add on weights" I've seen in the Summit catalog, or swap in a 168 toothed flexplate. The nose piece of the starter has to be changed, or the starter swapped. One advantage to the 168 toother, is a slightly better gear ratio between the starter and the engine, for easier cranking. Good luck, and...
RACE ON!!!
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,172
Likes: 11
From: somers, ny
Re: Flexplate...anybody know... (WG87)
If i can't find a 153 external balance 2 piece seal flexplate, can i use the 168 tooth flexplate??? Will that interfere with anything. I have a TCI ministarter, can i reuse that? I dont remember specifying 153 tooth when i bought the starter. Someone must know this.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
Likes: 1
From: Modesto CA
Re: Flexplate...anybody know... (ralph)
I have a TCI ministarter, can i reuse that? I dont remember specifying 153 tooth when i bought the starter. Someone must know this.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Re: Flexplate...anybody know... (ralph)
Ralph,
I am not familiar with that starter. If they didn't care about the application, except small block Chevy, when they sold it to you, it ought to have provisions for either size flexplate. Does the starter have three mounting holes? The block should. I forget which is which, but with one of the flexplate/flywheel sizes, the starter bolt holes (2 only) are straight across from one another. That is, 90* to the crankshaft. On the other size, the starter bolts are offset, one ahead of the other. With a stock starter, either the starter assy or simply the nose piece of the starter must be changed. The 3 holes in the block accomodate either starter. If you didn't have to specify when you bought it, the TCI must adapt to either. Other than starter compatability, the flexplates interchange. Good luck, and...
RACE ON!!!
I am not familiar with that starter. If they didn't care about the application, except small block Chevy, when they sold it to you, it ought to have provisions for either size flexplate. Does the starter have three mounting holes? The block should. I forget which is which, but with one of the flexplate/flywheel sizes, the starter bolt holes (2 only) are straight across from one another. That is, 90* to the crankshaft. On the other size, the starter bolts are offset, one ahead of the other. With a stock starter, either the starter assy or simply the nose piece of the starter must be changed. The 3 holes in the block accomodate either starter. If you didn't have to specify when you bought it, the TCI must adapt to either. Other than starter compatability, the flexplates interchange. Good luck, and...
RACE ON!!!