Hello all, I've got a 71 mav with an 85 302 and the 71 c4 Upon trying to start up engine for the first time, I found it very resistant to turn over. I looked at my trans plate and it had a big dent knocked outward that hadn't been there before. I opened it up and found there was a ball of metal shavings that I pulled out with a magnet. Does anyone know why this happened? The shop I took it to said that the flex plate was likely backwards, but it doesn't mount both ways since the plate is deeper in the center than at the edges so the bolts will hold it down. Also, do I need to have my trans looked at? Oh and if someone could give me some good news, that'd be great because this project will likely be the death of me
If the converter isn't fully seated in trans that will cause binding issues, this usually damages both converter and trans front pump... If the converter isn't clocked properly so the drain plug is in the flexplate opening that can cause binding... What is origin of flexplate and converter(year and engine for both)?? Can't say I've seen a stock 50oz flex(required on '82-newer engine) that has same bolt spacing as a the orig converters... I had similar issue when I put mine together but noticed it was tight turning over as soon as engine and trans were bolted together... Mine turned out to be the Summit branded aftermarket torque converter that didn't seat as deeply as orig... I exchanged it for a Hughes and that one is fine...
Flexplate is PN: FRA-203 Torque converter is original to the 1971 C4 My drain plug for the TC does fit into a hole to be accessed, but my main issue was the imbalance weight had gotten caught on my bellhousing cover plate
Here's some pictures of the bottom cover plate I think my issue might be from the fact that the c4 had no balance on the flexplate (mated to 250) and I re-used my bottom c4 trans cover as opposed to the one used on the AOD that came with the 302 I have in the car. And since the 85 302 had an ext. balance, it must've caught the edge of the plate
Make sure the converter drain is through one of the holes in the flex plate. When I did my first motor swap I made that mistake and had the same symptoms you have. There's 3 ways it can go in properly, I had it where the drain was pushing against the back of the weight.
Well you're gonna take it apart anyway, that's a 28oz flexplate and unless rebalanced EVERY 302/5.0 after '82 uses a 50oz, no exceptions.. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pio-fra203
