Aaaauuuggghhh! A/T flexplate/torque converter issues! HELP!

[electricgreen]

We have the following:

73 c-4 tranny (uses smaller 157 tooth flexplate)
78 Lincoln 302 (uses larger 164 tooth flexplate)

We bought a new 164 tooth bell housing. We bought a new b&m o.e. replacement 164 tooth flexplate. The flexplate wont fit the torque converter -bolts dont line up. We think we received the wrong flexplate from Jegs-an AOD not 78. So, we go to the b&m site to see if we can match the part numbers. Well, the part number on the flexplate we received doesn't match the ones listed, HOWEVER-we found something interesting.

The 78 302 and the 73 302 use the same weight, just different sized flexplates (157 vs 164). Why cant we use the 73 flexplate, bell & starter on the 78 motor? I thought the issue with different flexplates was balance-weight. Here's a link to the b&m site: http://www.bmracing.com/products/trans_flex/flexplate_ford.html .

Anyone know if we can use the 73 stuff? Otherwise, we're going to need to get a new torque converter. And we havent even heard this motor run yet-the last thing I want to do is spend more money on it!!

 

[sand1man]

I don't think there is any reason you can not interchange them, I was running a late model 302, with a 67 bellhousing 157 tooth flexplate and mid 70's tranny, main thing is to make sure you have the correct balance for the motor

 

[D.Hearne]

We have the following:

73 c-4 tranny (uses smaller 157 tooth flexplate)
78 Lincoln 302 (uses larger 164 tooth flexplate)

We bought a new 164 tooth bell housing. We bought a new b&m o.e. replacement 164 tooth flexplate. The flexplate wont fit the torque converter -bolts dont line up. We think we received the wrong flexplate from Jegs-an AOD not 78. So, we go to the b&m site to see if we can match the part numbers. Well, the part number on the flexplate we received doesn't match the ones listed, HOWEVER-we found something interesting.

The 78 302 and the 73 302 use the same weight, just different sized flexplates (157 vs 164). Why cant we use the 73 flexplate, bell & starter on the 78 motor? I thought the issue with different flexplates was balance-weight. Here's a link to the b&m site: http://www.bmracing.com/products/trans_flex/flexplate_ford.html .

Anyone know if we can use the 73 stuff? Otherwise, we're going to need to get a new torque converter. And we havent even heard this motor run yet-the last thing I want to do is spend more money on it!!

You can use ANY 157 tooth flexplate on ANY other 302 as long as the balance weights are correct for the engine's balance factor needs. You will also need to use the correct bellhousing for the flexplate you're using ( 157 tooth bells don't work with 164 tooth flexplates or flywheels) Just use your 73 flexplate, bellhousing, and torque converter.

 

[jikelly]

Right use your old bellhousing an flexplate.