71SSclone Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 Installed a new Powermaster starter on my 71 Monte Carlo with a 454. The bendix gear barely touches the flexplate. Tried to shim it, but that really doesn't control the depth that the gear extends into the flexplate. The original starter sounded horrible, and I tried playing with shims on that one also, but could never get it to sound right. With the Powermaster, it's easier to see whats going on, and it really seems like it doesn't extend far enough. It got me thinking......can the flexplate be installed backwards on a 454? The engine was rebuilt before I bought the car, but it probably only has 100 miles after the install. I'm still trying to sort everything out. What should I look for to determine if the flexplate is installed correctly of not John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jft69z Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 There is a lip at the center hole that centers on the crank, that should point towards the trans (that'll probably be hard to see if everything is assembled). There are also raised pads on the flexplate that the convertor mounts to, those raised pads should face the converter. The balance weight for the 454 plate will be on the engine side too. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snomobeelr Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 I had the same issue with the 1st power master starter. The gear didn't come out enough to hit the flywheel right I had to go with the starter #9612 I believe. Its been great. I did have to grind some of the aluminum housing because it was so close to my headers... Here are some pics 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71SSclone Posted July 27, 2021 Author Share Posted July 27, 2021 Thanks, Joe. I'll have to check that out. Great pics, Alan. Thats the same starter I have, 9612. I could not push my bendix out far enough to engage the flexplate like your does. What flexplate did you use? It looks new. John 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 Joe is 100 percent correct. Ask me how I know. lol. All the flexplates for 454 should be the same no matter the brand. Unless of course you go full race or something like that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snomobeelr Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 John, I had the trans out and the old starter kinda chewed the teeth on the Flywheel. I believe I replaced it with the Pioneer Automotive 871003 - Pioneer SFI Certified Flex-plate. Are you sure you have the gear for the starter pulled out all the way? Its a bit of a pain to pull it out , I then used a flat head pop it all the way. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pio-871003 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Posted July 28, 2021 Share Posted July 28, 2021 Damn! Can you even fit a credit card between the starter and exhaust?? Gonna wrap/heat shield the starter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1970mcss Posted July 28, 2021 Share Posted July 28, 2021 8 hours ago, Glen said: Damn! Can you even fit a credit card between the starter and exhaust?? Gonna wrap/heat shield the starter? I noticed the same thing and thought how hot is that starter going to get, looks great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snomobeelr Posted July 28, 2021 Share Posted July 28, 2021 Believe me I know.,Crazy right. This is my second year with it. Last weekend was 92 out stopped for gas, starts right up haven't had a single issue. No wrap and no shield. My proportioning valve I had to make a heat shield its on the frame and same thing, really freaking close... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71SSclone Posted July 29, 2021 Author Share Posted July 29, 2021 Crawled back under the Monte today. Looks like the flexplate is backwards. The flats for the torque converter face towards the front, and in the last pic, looks like the flywheel weight faces towards the torque converter. Time to pull the trans (in the driveway, on jackstands) and flip the flexplate around. Sigh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant MacPherson Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 If you are not pulling the trans right out run some bollts, 6" or so than with the engine and trans droped a bit ( maybe pop the distributer cap so ti doesn't break agianst the fire wall) than you can slide the trans back, flip the flywheel and siide the trans back into place. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC1of80 Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 Sorry to say, It looks like you are correct in saying the flexplate is on backwards. You may want to put a new one on, the center having the bevel, being on backwards, most likely bent the center of the flexplate. Check it with a straight edge. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71SSclone Posted July 30, 2021 Author Share Posted July 30, 2021 I think its better off to replace the flexplate. They are not too expensive. It will give me a chance to reattach the brackets that are suppose to be held by the transmission bolts (trans dipstick tube and wiring harnesses) also. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71SSclone Posted August 13, 2021 Author Share Posted August 13, 2021 So I'm going to replace my flexplate next week. I have a few questions. What is the torque value of the flexplate to crankshaft bolts? Do you need sealant on the flexplate bolts going into the crankshaft? Thanks in advance John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leghome Posted August 15, 2021 Share Posted August 15, 2021 A backwards flex plate sounded familiar to me and my 72 had the flex plate installed backwards when I bought the car in 2011. It will ten years the last Monday of this month that we have owned the car. Kept having the starter act up when we tried to start ole red and finally my son in-law crawled under and took off the dust cover and discovered the problem. Not a problem he had on in stock form one of his previous cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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