I just replaced the original flexplate about 5k miles back. Yesterday I realized that there is a rattle coming from the bellhousing area so I go under the car to tighten the bellhousing bolts.

To make a long story short, when I separated the TC to flexplate bolts to inspect, I saw the new flexplate has cracked around the around the 6-bolts where it's bolted to the crank.

It's an ARP unit, & I want to replace it before it becomes a serious problem.

What's a good strong brand or can I bolt in a manual flywheel (although the TC to flexplate bolts holes will not line up) and what could have caused the cracking. Is it possible that the bellhousing bolts loosening up has something to do with it.

Or Should I just swap in a manual transmission. Sorry Gentlemen too many questions, but all you experts are here.

Regards Sean

 

You've got some alignment problems if it's doing that. Check and make sure the bellhousing is seating against the back of the engine all the way. You may have gotten something wedged in there causing it to be at an angle. I'm using a TCI flex plate, little thicker than stock and a nice looking piece.

 

Yes, what happened is I deliberately did not tighten the top two and the side two bolts and neither did I use any thread locker compound. The plan was to swap the auto for a manual ASAP.

But the 4 bolts have loosened over time and now as I come to think of it, since the torque-arm moves up and down with the rear axle unit & because it's other end is hooked to the rear of the tranny then if the bellhousing bolts are loose, the torque arm will pull the tranny down ever so slightly applying stress on the flexplate thereby causing to crack prematurely.

What are the tightening specs for the bellhousing bolts. I am going to use some gasket sealer or locktite this time.


Thanks Sean

 

Just snug them down best you can, shouldn't need locktite on the bellhousing bolts. I've never had one back out on me just by tightening by hand, ie just using a half inch drive ratchet and a wrench for the top bolts.