[400 Lemans]

Originally Posted by 400 Lemans

Spacer installs on the outside of flexplate unlike it is in the pictures.

Meant to call it a reinforcing ring because its not a spacer.

[Sirrotica]

Originally Posted by 400 Lemans

Meant to call it a reinforcing ring because its not a spacer.

There are 2 parts that I believe are being confused here. There is a reinforcement ring that is sometimes used under the bolt shoulder and on top of the flexplate. There is also a shim that goes between the crank flange under the flexplate.

Either of these parts is not used 100% of the time in all applications. I have no idea of why the factory used them at times and some applications had neither part. Sometimes they had one and not the other.

No matter, IMO these parts are most likely not causing the noise.

[torqhead]

Originally Posted by Sirrotica

There are 2 parts that I believe are being confused here. There is a reinforcement ring that is sometimes used under the bolt shoulder and on top of the flexplate. There is also a shim that goes between the crank flange under the flexplate.

Either of these parts is not used 100% of the time in all applications. I have no idea of why the factory used them at times and some applications had neither part. Sometimes they had one and not the other.

No matter, IMO these parts are most likely not causing the noise.

The shim that you find on some motors between the flexplate and the crank was used when the motor was assembled with the starter and the clearance didn't make build minimum clearance spec (between flexplate and starter) is my understanding.

[TCSGTO]

Originally Posted by torqhead

The shim that you find on some motors between the flexplate and the crank was used when the motor was assembled with the starter and the clearance didn't make build minimum clearance spec (between flexplate and starter) is my understanding.

Makes sense. On aftermarket mini starters to get the gear to flexplate clearance the shim goes between the starter and mounting block.

[72LuxuryLeMansLa.]

Originally Posted by TCSGTO

Makes sense. On aftermarket mini starters to get the gear to flexplate clearance the shim goes between the starter and mounting block.

My stock 72 350 has shims between the starter and block.

[torqhead]

Originally Posted by 72LuxuryLeMansLa.

My stock 72 350 has shims between the starter and block.

Yeah, that makes sense, effectively spaces the starter top to bottom and mesh between the gears. The flexplate shim increases space from front to back to ensure the flexplate doesn't hit the starter gear when starter isn't running.

[Va68goat]

64speed,
Finding a reputable builder is huge. There is one place near me in Northern Virginia that I know of that has a real good name. They don't do Pontiacs as much as others. http://www.candcmotorsports.com . I have to say...Paul has been damn good about this. We talk often and he feels bad about this whole situation. Honestly, who knows if a local builder would handle it as well as Paul. So far so good with him and at this point, I have no regrets. Things happen. As someone once told me when this all came to light... "The difference between a builder and a great builder is how they handle an issue".

[Va68goat]

jonmachota78,
I agree. I think at this point, I have to exhaust all means before the motor goes back. At the minimum I have to rule out the flexplate and verify clearance of the starter.

dataway,
I'll try to get some slow motion video this weekend. I think thats a great idea.

tom s,
Yeah after the money and time that I have in this car since it's been delivered, that may have been the right thing to do. Missing the whole season was pretty tough considering I'm so close to retirement. I haven't had a chance to enjoy this car since doing so much work to it.

TedRamAirII,
If we get a chance to mess with the car this weekend, I'll get the stethoscope out and try that!