Flexplate rubbing under load

Hey guys,, been awhile, starting tinkering again and heres my next issue :roll:

I took the flex plate from my old six and put it on my rebuilt one. I also used the spacer that bolts behind it. Whats happening is just under half throttle there was grinding sound, like the fan hitting something. With that ruled out I found that the ends of the TC bolts had rubbed a little bit and significantly on the edges of the plate at all 4 or 5 points where ya wrench it to the TC.

Do I need another spacer somewhere?

Thanks guys

Lee

I just got done resolving this same issue. Did you install new main bearings? If so did you install the thrust bearing at the correct position? I think it go's at the number 5 main.

See if the part # is the same for you previous engine is the same as you have now.
A starter which is not machined on the nose will cause interference on acceleration.
Do you have the spacer between the block & bell housing??? Bill

I didn't look at the part numbers, but at the time I had both flexplates and I sized them up and both appeared to be the exact same so I chose the relatively rust free one I had already been using. Before I bolted it on I put on a steel spacer that fits behind the flexplate and where the starter mounts, I hope you guys (and myself) know what Im talking about. Ill have to pop out the starter and check it out.

I do recall me getting on the throttle a bit (50% or so) from a slow roll shortly after break in and it not making that noise. So maybe the 3rd time getting on it, it starting doing this.

Thrust bearing and such I took it very slow so I do remember rechecking stuff like that only about a dozen times My crank endplay was 7 thousands when I checked it.

If I do end up taking the engine out, at least I can semi disassemble it and see how things are coping in there

Maybe the flexplate cracked, or maybe the starter gear isn't pulling back enough. By 'spacer', you mean the block plate?

Yes the block plate, is there something im missing? I update on what the starter looks like when I get it out.

Pic of starter, not the best pic but you can see where its been grinding on, basically rounded of the edge of the washer or whatever is under the starter gear. Would shimming it out some help?

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee3 ... 120235.jpg

Right along the edge beside the nut and bolt is where its worn down a bit

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee3 ... 115756.jpg

Looking around I don't see wear anywhere else..

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee3 ... 115954.jpg

This is my engine bay right now, some temporary stuff going on just to have it running 8)
just put an alternator on also, old generator couldn't hold above 12V in lower rpm range especially when heat got to it, probably from the new ignition.

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee3 ... 115836.jpg
http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee3 ... 115925.jpg

From those pictures everything looks right except for the starter drive can't tell very much in that picture what maybe causing all the trouble. You might try to disassemble the starter to see if there are any problems inside it then clean everything up good and then lube all the moving parts with some white grease. But If I had to guess without seeing inside I am thinking that the starter drive lever assembliy is sticking, the return spring is weak or not installed correctly, and or the drive unit itself won't side easyly on the armature shaft and either one or more of these items doesn't let the starter drive retract backwards completely. Couple pictures first one is about all the farther that you would need to disassemble the starter do a clean up with a wire brush and lube the moving parts. Second shows were the starter drive needs to be when everything is right. Good luck

Starter disassembled part way, is enough for a quick clean up.

http://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.ford-tr ... ed5d07.jpg

In this picture of a rebuilt small six starter you can see were the starter drive is further back then yours

http://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_fairl ... inder.html

Just to update, I managed to find out what I did wrong. After a lot of sitting around thinking of what it could be and reviewing the installation of the motor. I began to contemplate the idea that I had the washer or spacer on the wrong side of the flexplate causing less clearence on the front side of the torque convertor. Thats what it was, and I could see plain as day on the flexplate the outline of the washer on the crank-side of it where it had been for all its life.

Just an update to help/prevent someone in the future.

Excellent, glad you got the problem fixed!

The ring actually goes between the bolts and flexplate as a reinforcement ring.had the same issue you had several years ago ..after much research I found an old ford technical service bulletin on this.Their Fix Was a starter Shim available now through dorman. Mine was hitting the starter drive and nose cone.