Make your own flexplate?

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by redryderridesagain, Nov 4, 2005.

  1. I own a 1984 Dodge Caravan, 2.6 L Mitsubishi. I have replaced the motor
    many times but never the transmission. Recently the flexplate broke
    around the crank bolt holes and then 2 - 4 years later, my spare
    flexplate broke. I assume this part has a twenty year life and it is to
    be expected. My question is, could I fabricate one out of slightly
    heavier guage (1/4 vs 1/8 inch) mild steel or weld a reinforcement to
    the old plate and expect any results at all. I think replacement part
    from the wrecker would have the same problem.
    Thanks.
     
    redryderridesagain, Nov 4, 2005
    #1
  2. redryderridesagain

    tedm Guest

    Yes, you can do it. But here are the gotchas:

    1) Welding a reinforcement to the existing plate won't work
    because it will just crack again, at the welds.

    2) You are limited in how thick you can make it, if you make
    it too thick it will drive the converter too far into the transmission
    when you draw them together and it will jam

    3) The plate needs to be balanced once you finish making it.

    I would be surprised if the dealer does not have this part, have
    you tried calling them yet?

    Ted
     
    tedm, Nov 4, 2005
    #2
  3. redryderridesagain

    maxpower Guest

    Make sure when you remove the trans/engine you install the guide sleeves (or
    whatever they call em) back into the block. If you leave these out they can
    cause the engine to twist from the transmission and cause the flex plate to
    break.

    Glenn Beasley
    Chrysler Tech
     
    maxpower, Nov 4, 2005
    #3
  4. redryderridesagain

    Matt Whiting Guest

    Note it is called a flex plate. That means it is meant to flex a
    certain amount under a certain load. I'm guessing the engineers at
    Chrysler figured this out to a reasonable approximation. If you make
    the plate stiffer, then it will flex less under a given load which means
    that something else will absorb that load. This part will then likely
    fail ... and this part will likely be much more costly than the flex plate.

    However, if you try it, let us know how it works.


    Matt
     
    Matt Whiting, Nov 4, 2005
    #4
  5. redryderridesagain

    N8N Guest

    If there is no ring gear attached to the flex plate (I know older
    Chevys had the ring gear welded to the flex plate but MoPars did not) I
    have heard tell of people making a flex plate out of several layers of
    thin stainless steel. The reasoning behind this is that the thin
    plates will be able to absorb flex loads better than one thick one.

    good luck

    nate
     
    N8N, Nov 4, 2005
    #5
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