FlexPlate or Starter Issue

[jeepsr4ever]

If It was for a mitsu starter it would have not been a fra120 flexplate but a flexplate for a 727. I would blame the flexplate...are you sure the starters are fitting properly?

[arhame]

Yes, each starter fit properly.

They are the same type as the older ford starters. there is a lip that must fit within the mount in the bell housing and the two ears for the bolts. Borth starters fit perfectly flush.

I'll begin the process of removing everything in order to get the flexplate off to see if that helps.

[Goose]

uh ok.. maybe I am being a DA here.. but it appears to me that the flexplate/ringgear is on backwards.. the bevel cut on the ringgear is facing the trans..not the oilpan and since the ends of the teeth on the starter are getting ground/broken off, wouldn't it be a good assumption that the bevel on the ring gear teeth is there to smooth the engagement??

[AMX69PHATTY]

Does look like the Flexplate is on backwards in the pics.

Flexplate "cup" should be towards the trans, tooth chamfers towards engine.

edit - sorry if I was wrong about the tooth chamfers, can't see'em clearly in my low res pic
Did look at a stock '73 401 flexplate, no chamfers either side.

Not the best pic, but can see "cup" in this one.

[arhame]

Ok, I've finally had time to pull the drivetrain out so I can inspect the flexplate.

Here are a few pictures.

www.meangreenjeep.com/misc/Picture016.jpg
www.meangreenjeep.com/misc/Picture017.jpg
www.meangreenjeep.com/misc/Picture018.jpg

The cup is towards the transmission, but the teeth bevel on the side of the transmission also.

Does something look obviously wrong here?

Thanks for any replies.[/url]

[AMX69PHATTY]

Boy, I'm not sure, what a puzzle, gotta be aggravating.
Hopefully someone else here has the answers.

[Goose]

Wow, Is that flexplate from a another engine or is it a new one?? Cause my guess is they welded the ringear on the flexplate backwards..

[jeepsr4ever]

Goose all flexplates and flywheels have the large chamfer facing the rear end.

[Goose]

they do?? (Ok I bet at this point you can tell how many auto trans cars I have messed with..)
It just seems counterintuitive (holy crap I spelled it right!) to have the bevel away from the engagement side..Sigh...another lesson learned.

[AMX69PHATTY]

edit - sorry if I was wrong about the tooth chamfers, can't see'em clearly in my low res pic
Did look at a stock '73 401 flexplate, no chamfers either side.