leftlanetruckin

Replaced a parts store flexplate, due to 55 thousandths runout and ruining a fluid pump on a freshly rebuilt tranny.
Went for the Hughes 4004x flexplate.
I am still showing @40thousandths runout though!!!!!
I have the dial indicator on a magnetic base, and arms. Base is on the block, so it can move with the engine etc.
Turning engine over by a socket on front pulley, dial gauge in various places on the flexplate.
Shows 40thou every time.
Rotated the flexplate to the only other position it can go to, same result.
Removed flexplate and put the dial indicator onto the back of the crank, perfect with no runout.
Sanded rear of crank by hand to remove any gunk etc, reinstalled flexplate, same result.
WTF?? Everything I read showed the Hughes to be top notch. Is it my testing, or is the SOB not true?
Not tested for the teeth being perfectly circular, as I am doing it by myself seeing as my inconsiderate 16yr old wanted to see his girlfriend!
Send it back to Jegs or am I testing it wrong? Seems to be the only way to test, but I am not too old to learn...
My tranny guy said zero runout, period, when I dropped of the tranny Thursday.
Thoughts?

Martin

leftlanetruckin

So no one here measures runout on a new flexplate, before the tranny goes back in?
Bolting the tranny in, and then checking, is a PIA on a 4wd rig, especially one where the transfer case weighs about the same as a small elephant!
Any ideas?
Or do I send the Hughes one back to Jegs and try another make?

mrvedit

I would only worry about the measurement at the converter mounting holes; the starter should have no problem with .040 runout.
However this much runout at the converter mounts would twist the converter a bit, putting extra strain on the front input shaft bushing. Might vibrate too.

Isn't the Hughes still just stamped steel? I would expect the machined ones to be much more accurate.

leftlanetruckin

Yes, the Hughes is still stamped by the look of it.
When I got it all together, the torque converter slid into the rebuilt tranny like normal, but within 5 miles, I had to PRY the tq out of the tranny!
I saw the runout on the new parts store flex plate when we did the exhaust and it was ion the lift. Too late, damage done.
The starter is engaging fine on the Hughes, but when I measured the runout, I got that 45 thou runout (towards and away from the motor). Jegs claim this is within specs!
Needless to say, not too happy at finishing a build just to rip it apart again for a crappy flexplate, so call me paranoid at this point.
What would be a top pick on a flexplate?
I am also thinking machined/milled flexplate at this point. No telling how much the repair is going to be on the front housing on the tranny now. The inoput bushing was actually seized to the snout on the torque converter when I got it apart from the tranny!!

Many thanks
Martin

mrvedit

Wow, quite some damage to your trans. I've bought excellent used pumps for $100, although I would still replace the bushings. Let me know if you need one and I will help you find a good one.

As I recently stated in another thread, I'm not a fan of TCI, but am very happy with my TCI flexplate. It is a very nice sturdy piece. Since I swap transmission every few months for my experimentation, I see it a lot. Since it is very thick, you also need longer bolts for the converter, IIRC 18mm.

leftlanetruckin

Thanks!
The tranny is back at the tranny shop, but is a ZF 4hp24 from a Range Rover, so not many in junk yards me thinks!
Jegs wrote back, and said that Hughes said that 45thou is within spec!!!
Not within my specs though.
They offered either a full refund, or credit the full amount towards a Mezier FP319 for my application. This is a fully machined flexplate from my understanding.
Thoughts?
Many thanks as always
Martin

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

Tons run the TCI and are happy with it. I think Circle D has some nice units for sale also, might check with them.

mrvedit

That Mezier seems like an excessively expensive piece. As stated above, you will be very happy with the TCI; its about $225.

Correction: $225 was in 2011, it is $270 now from Summit, but $243 on Amazon (with free Prime shipping). See below.

leftlanetruckin

Showing 2 plates on Summit's site. They look flat thopugh! The ones I have had have been dished. Doesnt matter on the torque converter as it will be adapted anyway to the Rover torque converter and transmission.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/tc...make/chevrolet
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/tc...make/chevrolet
Thoughts?
Somewhere cheaper than Summit for them?
Thanks guys.

Martin

pwrtrip75

iTrader: (8)

I looked at the hughes flex plate and didnt like it. Looks like a POS. The stamping or bend in the flex plate is right off the edge of the converter bolt hole. So if you put the bolt in one side of the bolt head will come in contact before the other, even worse when you put a washer on, when tight it looks as if it would stress the edge of the hole.

leftlanetruckin

TCI flexplate ordered. Finger crossed!
And I agree, I wasn't overly impressed with the Hughes when I pulled it out the box. Looks like our impressions held water, seeing as it had 45thou of runout!

Martin

northcorner

iTrader: (3)

Where did you find the TCI for around $225?

mrvedit

Bought my TCI-399753 in 2011 from Summit for $215; maybe is was on sale then.

I see it is $270 now:
http://www.summitracing.com/search?keyword=399753&dds=1

However, it is only $243 on Amazon; if you have "Prime", it has free 2-day shipping.
(I buy more performance auto parts on Amazon now than Summit due to the better price.)

Sorry for the obsolete pricing info.

leftlanetruckin

Jegs and Summit were the same price when I ordered the TCI yesterday.
To be honest, so long as the SOB is FLAT, I dont care!

Martin

JakeFusion

iTrader: (7)

Just get the CircleD/Reactor machined aluminum SFI plate. It's expensive, however.

mrvedit

He already bought the TCI. Your suggestion sure does look nice, but twice the price.

leftlanetruckin

I looked at the machined plates, but as already said, ordered the TCI already.
If that doesn't work, then a machined one it is I guess.

Martin