OT-why run an SFI spec flexplate-here's why !
 

I always thought that SFI spec flexplate stuff was BS- until I saw this

from a 482" Ford FE motor (4.25" bore x 4.25" stroke poked/stroked Ford 428)

it tore the center right out of the flexplate using an automatic trans !

the funny part is, the car still was driving but "clunking" in drive

holy crap !

Big surprise. If your making big horsepower factory parts are going to fail. Same deal with thos flimsy factory Pontiac crank pulley's.

You know when they advertise those flexplates it centers on how they are welded on both side at the starter gear ring. Not the center.

That Ford lack the large holes to integrate the flex zone.

Pontiac Flexplate is quite a bit better than the Chevy or Ford offering. Check bolt pattern, flex hole zones, and metal thickness.

Yeah.........I bought one of those mega-bucks SFI flex plates.
#1 it was real heavy...rotating mass, right ?
Oh the center held up......but the ring gear teeth were so britlle they gave up first....
I've been running a "stock" flex plate for a while now.......NO problems.
I won't change until rules tell me to...

Just out of curiosity how long is the SFI good for on a flexplate ???

OUCH ! switch to an SFI and the teeth grind off- that's NOT GOOD !

3 years.

thanks. whats the process for recert ??? I have on dated 2001 I haven't even installed yet.

Thanks Brian
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Whats the process for recert ??? I have on dated 2001 I haven't even installed yet.

You need to get a new one or send it back to the mfg, for recert.

What is your ET??, as the SFI sticker is not required untill 9.99 or over 135mph in the 1/4.
If you don't meet this requirement, go ahead and use it till you do.

:cool2:

Thanks. One less thing to worry about in this build. 9.90 is a little optimistic for me ... lol

Keep it in the tens and your good to go. :)

Something is wrong if your tearing teeth off. I've been using the Tci one with a stock rebuilt starter for 11yrs. Normally when your tearing teeth off it is from the wrong gear mesh or too much timing & compression. You may want to look into a starter retard.

lots of extra chassis cert expense/safety equipment/firesuit/gloves/etc. needed if you run 9.99 or faster, isn't there ?

What about a factory flywheel. I still have the flywheel that came with my 2 barrel 326, used it on the last 455 no problem. i'm aiming for 600+ hp this time... will it hold up?

FLYWHEEL
 

Flywheel is an entirely different matter from a flexplate. Get an SFI flywheel . . .

Not to brag, but the mighty 350 2 bbl that came in my 68 LeMans did the exact same thing to it's flexplate. In fact, I've seen a lot of high mileage Ponchos do this, so to answer the question about a stock 326 behind a 455- Yes, it'll work, but eventually won't.
I know this has nothing to do w/ the power that Ford was making, just thought it was funny (and ironic...350 hehehehe).

Yep...something was wrong Scott. I changed out two stock flex plates before I put on the SFI one.. I assumed it would be stronger all around... I was amazed at how heavy it was but...........
After roaching that flex plate while trying to stage for a FINAL... :mad: The teeth were very hard/brittle and broke clean,not just mutilated.
I started looking elsewhere. It turned out to be a defective Exide Optimal battery. It was new so I didn't suspect it.. Since my old combo produced 215-230 PSI at cranking it needed all the voltage. As time would go by the battery would loose it's power and didn't have the a$$ to crank motor. I would kick back and wipe out teeth... Found that out in 2004 Norwalk.. Wound up using an old battery and Zoom-Zoom... Remember I got the J-bolts from you which saved my butt... :Peace:
I have since split the start and ignition circuit and have new battery and less cranking compression..No problems....at least starting :)

FWIW: I will never buy a Exide battery again. They replaced the battery but when it too failed they refused to honor warantee. Said it was only good for one time......sounds like the old Dart auto parts chain..... :smash: :argue:

Hey Scott you didn't have to call him a retard! LOL

Oh, one of those electronic boses that keeps the starter engaged longer. Wow, I never considered that. very interesting. :heh: :ranger: HIS

That's funny.

I just pulled this out of my 2000 Chevy Silverado 2500 6.0 liter. I was having a knocking sound at idle. It took me a while to figure it out. So, apparently, it can happen in any vehicle.

It's a miracle it didn't spin in there. It's been making noise for a while.