Author Topic: Flex Plate Replacement  (Read 1053 times)

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Flex Plate Replacement
« on: December 20, 2018, 03:41:20 PM »
I know I've seen where someone posted that you should change your Flex Plate when you have your motor out.

Is that SOP?

I have one out of a 1980 C-10, but I think this is a crate motor and not original.

Are there signs to look for that would indicate I need to do so?

I'm 59  now, and these things don't come out as easy as when I was 25...

Thanks in advance for your help!
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline bd

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Re: Flex Plate Replacement
« Reply #1 on: December 20, 2018, 04:40:01 PM »
Not SOP.  Basically, a flexplate is an inert piece of metal.  There are no moving parts, figuratively speaking.  As long as the ring gear is in good health with no chipped teeth and there is no visible evidence of cracks, such as sharply defined and intersecting rust tracks propagating across the face of the flexplate (typically, oriented sub-concentric with the crankshaft flange), there are no chunks of metal missing (having broken out), or other visible distortion, and you are not replacing the transmission with a different type that requires a different design, then there is no real cause to replace it unless you just want to replace it.
Rich
It's difficult to know just how much you don't know until you know it.
In other words... if people learn by making mistakes, by now I should know just about everything!!!
87 R10 Silverado Fleetside 355 MPFI 700R4 3.42 Locker (aka Rusty, aka Mater)

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Flex Plate Replacement
« Reply #2 on: December 20, 2018, 05:05:28 PM »
Thanks BD,

I'll inspect it carefully for rust emanating from fissures and fractures along with busted teeth.

1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction