Well I thought this might be the case, but I pulled my starter today, it would just spin and grind when I tried to start it, turns out a bunch of teeth are missing on the flex plate. Anyone have one cheap in good shape. O'reillys just quoted me $60 for a new one. Also anyone know the best, least hassle-free way to replace it? I just talked to the guy at O'Reilys. Who said he wasn't A Ford Guy, but he knew Chevy's ( poor mis-guided Kid) anyway he described using 6 inch bolts so the trany and bell housing could be pulled straight back without having to drop the tranny. Anyone know if this works on my c-4 with a 250? ANy tips will help, are the tranny lines long enough for something like that or do I have a major pain ahead of me, Can I do this from under the car in my drive on jack stands? this guy said with Chevy's it's about a 30 minute job.
30 minute job on a Chevy?? Bwah! That might be stretching the truth a little bit. Someone will post up soon on your specific app, but I know from experience that the higher you can get all four wheels off the ground the better (safely obviously). Enjoy.
Sorry to tell you, but this is not a 30 minute job unless you are in a shop with a lift and then it's still going to involve some lenghty work. For my small shop work it goes like this, disconnect the battery cable for safety, get the car up on four stands as high as you can safely. Drain the trans and conveter if it has a plug to do so, Remove driveshaft and but a baggy around tailshaft to catch any fluid left in it. Remove the starter and any exhaust items in the way, Shift linkage, wires and speedo cable, motor mount nuts and crossmember mounting bolt nuts. Remove converter bolts/nuts and bellhousing bolts and dipstick and cooler lines. Place a suitable jack with a piece of cardboard on it(will help slipping off) under the trans pan. Slowly work the trans off the engine dowels, be sure jack is positioned a bit foward on the trans for balance. Must keep the converter seated in the trans so it comes back with the trans. Lower the jack and get it out of the way. Now you can remove the crank bolts and flexplate, be sure and get the right plate for your application. Most likely you have the 157 tooth(small diameter) with 10 1/2 in converter bolt pattern, rather than the 164 11+ in pattern. Reinstall in reverse order and torque the bolts to specs etc. making sure that converter is still seated fully into the pump. You can use a couple of 7/16th studs to help get it back on the block but I found out it is better to have a helper and just manhandle it onto the dowels. Whew, long post and no where near going to be a thirty minute job, not even on a non Ford car ot truck, for the average guy. Tell that button pusher, parts guru he should come help you for the experience of finding out what he is talking about. Good luck and keep some bandaids handy. If I have left out anything, others here will advise.
h.b., make sure the converter is in the trany. all the way . i took out a front pump once because it wasn't . i called myself checking two or three times and still missed it ....frank...:bananaman :bananaman
I agree, have him come help, took me longer to do it that way in my Monte, then changing the whole trans, and it has a little more room then a Mav.
Thanks Old guy,I appreciate the dose of reality, sound like this guy I talked to was just tad bit optimistic. I am thinking I will see how much to have someone install it, before I go tearing into it, if it isn't too much more, I will tackle it myself, but if its only a $100 or so it'll be worth, it other wise I will just tackle it slowly myself. Anything else I should do while this is torn apart? Thanks to Rick '71 and Maverick, too. I appreciate your input as well.
No prob. Sorry I couldn't post more specific info for ya. I just recently dropped my AOd in my '89 Mustang and was reminded of the much-needed vertical clearance. Also, if you suspect your rear main seal is leaking, now is the time to change it out or inspect that area for oil (to rule it out as a leaker). BTW, I won't be the one to tell you that you're not gonna have a 'professional' shop do it for $100 either - might try the the guy at the parts counter and see if he'll do this 'simple' job for a hundert dollars. Gluck
i do a lot of tranny work by myself and one of the best investments i made was a tranny jack from harbor freight. it was on sale for about $40 bucks. i think there usually about $69. makes taking it out and replacing it a whole lot easier.
