Flexpalte balancing

[Michael L.]

In a '55 passenger car service manual, there is mention of lining up X's on flexplate and torque converter to maintain the balance. I'm replacing my flexplate, will I have issues with this? If so, how can it be balanced to the exsisting motor and converter?

Thx!

Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: Flexpalte balancing

Mike-----

The flexplate should pre-balanced and, generally, it will be ok for use as-is. However, it's a situation in which the original flexplate/torque converter assembly balance will be lost when the flexplate is replaced. If it were me and I had the torque converter out of the car (or, easily removed), I'd try to find a shop that could balance the new flexplate and torque converter as an assembly. Consider it an insurance policy against one of the things that could cause you to have to "go back in".

[Michael L.]

Re: Flexpalte balancing

Joe, which type of shop is better suited to have the plate/converter balanced: transmission, drive line or machine shop?

Thanks,

Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: Flexpalte balancing

Mike----

Most machine shops do not have equipment for precision balancing, although some of the larger ones might. I'd recommend a driveline shop or a shop that specializes in engine balancing. You should be able to find one in the yellow pages. Or, you could ask at your local machine shop. They usually have a shop that they send their balancing work to.

[Michael L.]

Thanks! *NM*

[Terry F.]

Re: Flexpalte balancing

Joe, can balancing the fly wheel make a big difference? Also, if the clutch feels fine and works fine, is it worth having it resurfaced? Seems like it would only be taking the chance of introducing a problem if not done correctly.

Thanks, Terry

[Joe L.]

Re: Flexpalte balancing

Terry---

Balancing the flywheel WITH the pressure plate and clutch assembly can make a very big difference, especially if aby of these components are replaced.

I'm not a big fan of surfacing a flywheel, at all. If it needs to be surfaced, then, in most cases, I say replace it. So, I'm not in favor of routine flywheel surfacing; most of the time they don't really need to be resurfaced. If there is serios surface cracking or scoring (due to letting the friction disc go too long before replacement), then they need to be resurfaced, but I prefer to just replace them at that point.