Flexplate question

[dotcentral]

Trying to figure something out. I have a late 80's era AOD that I want to put behind my 351. Thought I had all the parts, until I noticed mention of something called load spreader ring in an engine book I have. Goes between the flexplate and the engine. This was listed as being part of a C4, but I would guess C6's and AOD's would have them also. Naturally It seems to be a Ford only part, I can't find one. Any idea if one from a C6 or C4 would work with an AOD?

[69rangerman]

Sounds like the steel ring that goes between the flex plate and the TQ. If so it keeps the f plate bolts from cracking around the bolt holes, and probably the bolts from shearing.

Someone here told me that the plate wouldn't live very long without it.

I've got an FMX 3 spd and it has one, imagine they all do.

I checked LMC, NPD, and MAC's and none of them list the part!?

[tynall44]

it goes between the engine and trans

[tynall44]

i got one but i think its for a big block

[Chicken]

On my 360 the ring was mounted between flexplate and converter. Is this wrong? I'm rebuilding now and sure would like to know before I put her back in the truck.

[ICEMAN6166]

the flexplate goes on first,then the ring,then you bolt it up.
anyone changing from a manual flywheel to a flexplate or vice versa needs to know that the bolts from these 2 are different lengths.the flexplate bolts will not thread in far enough to properly hold the flywheel on, and the manual bolts if used on a flexplate will protrude from the front of the crank flange and catch the back edge of the block .

[dotcentral]

I bought new flexplate bolts from the dealer, hopefully the kid looking it up sold me the right stuff. NPD does show flywheel & flexplate bolts having the same part # in their catalog which seems odd. I'd heard the same thing Iceman has written.

Also got the metal ring, had a 62 part # on it. Haven't been able to figure out if I need it with the AOD, some say yes, some say no. I'd like to find a good trans site to do some research, anyone got one?

[FORDification]

....I'd like to find a good trans site to do some research, anyone got one?

Ford Transmission Forum

[fordman]

the engine spacer sits before the flexplate goes on. if you tried to put it on afterwards it wouldn't go on. it a thin piece of metal that goes all the way around the rear engine bell and around the crank shaft.

[kknip]

I put an AOD trans out of a 91 Mustang behind a stock 1969 vintage 302 in the 66 F100 I had at the time.You need to use the flexplate that is on your 351.I thought I needed the flex plate off the 91' engine to go with the trans.I did install it and when I cranked it up,I had a nasy vibration.After checking out some Haynes books on the later Mustangs,I found out that the later 302 (5.0) was externally balanced.The flywheel had weights on it.I was lucky enough to be able to take the trans loose and slide it back and remove the flexplate and install the 69' vintage plate.If you don't have a flex plate,I would think anyone off a 302 the same year as your 351 should work,c4 would be fine.

[ICEMAN6166]

the info i posted was related to engines original to our trucks and is correct.
i have no idea what AOD or any of those later type trans and flexplates are like.

[fordman]

i don't know about aod or newer mods sither but the plate i'm talking about is a full plate that is soild. you know the plate i'm talking about don't you? it the filler plate between the flywheel and engine. isn't that the plate we are all talking about? is there another plate i haven't seen or heard of?

[ICEMAN6166]

i don't know about aod or newer mods sither but the plate i'm talking about is a full plate that is soild. you know the plate i'm talking about don't you? it the filler plate between the flywheel and engine. isn't that the plate we are all talking about? is there another plate i haven't seen or heard of?

fordman, you are talking about the thin metal plate that goes on before the flywheel/flexplate?.
i was talking about the center "ring" that goes on the outside of the flexplate before you bolt it on.

[fordman]

oh that washer. ok i see.