Notices
GM Drivetrain & Suspension Chassis | Transmission| Driveshaft | Gears/Rear End/Differential | Traction Aids

Crank spacer with SFI flex plate

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-11-2011, 09:35 PM
  #1  
Mod with training wheels
Thread Starter
iTrader: (16)
 
smokeshow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Detroit
Posts: 7,740
Received 204 Likes on 139 Posts
Default Crank spacer with SFI flex plate

Just installed the new Circle D converter and SFI flex plate. Distance from the flex plate to converter lugs is right around 0.230". Seems a bit excessive...has anybody needed to use crank spacers with SFI flex plates?

Old 08-12-2011, 11:11 AM
  #2  
FormerVendor
 
Gilbert@Ace Racing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: D-F/W
Posts: 3,125
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Give Chris a call.. no doubt he'll give you some good advice. That does not appear to be excessive to me. I like to see 3/16" in most applications.

g
Old 08-12-2011, 12:34 PM
  #3  
I have a gauge for that
iTrader: (42)
 
Atomic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 16,261
Received 391 Likes on 261 Posts
Default

I think I had to shim mine slightly with my PI 80e converter and TCI flexplate...
Old 08-12-2011, 07:01 PM
  #4  
Mod with training wheels
Thread Starter
iTrader: (16)
 
smokeshow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Detroit
Posts: 7,740
Received 204 Likes on 139 Posts
Default

Well, I was able to space the converter off of the flex plate with some .070 washers, bringing the clearance down to within tolerance. But, I get an odd click sound at startup now. Seems to go away after about 10 seconds of running. Tried to get a video of it, but the audio is horrible. Its supposed to be a Hughes SFI flex plate. Not entirely sure what the sound is coming from... Pulled starter, converter bolts look fine, had a mirror behind the flex plate and rotated it, no signs of scraping or any other damage.

Last edited by smokeshow; 08-12-2011 at 09:17 PM.
Old 08-12-2011, 08:00 PM
  #5  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (13)
 
mhotrodscooter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: jennings,louisiana
Posts: 1,750
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

from pic it looks like the converter isnt going far enough into the crank socket.. what does all the way back look like?

btw good looking flexplate
Old 08-12-2011, 08:17 PM
  #6  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (27)
 
GMCtrk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Dallas
Posts: 12,275
Received 17 Likes on 17 Posts
Default

Did you break the factory 4l80e flexplate or are you using a 3 bolt converter?
Old 08-12-2011, 09:32 PM
  #7  
Mod with training wheels
Thread Starter
iTrader: (16)
 
smokeshow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Detroit
Posts: 7,740
Received 204 Likes on 139 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by mhotrodscooter
from pic it looks like the converter isnt going far enough into the crank socket.. what does all the way back look like?

btw good looking flexplate
That is all the way back. I could have pushed the converter all the way up to the flex plate, but I didn't want to pull the converter too far out of the pump.

Originally Posted by GMCtrk
Did you break the factory 4l80e flexplate or are you using a 3 bolt converter?
3 bolt converter. No broken flex plates so far, but after seeing a flood of them here on the forum I decided to get one for insurance.

I noticed in other pics with engines that have SFI plates, the SFI cert sticker is facing the trans. The stock plate and the SFI one looked identical save for a small height difference---installing it the same way the stock one was installed put the SFI sticker on the engine side. Is this sticker always supposed to be on the trans side?
Old 08-12-2011, 10:43 PM
  #8  
I have a gauge for that
iTrader: (42)
 
Atomic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 16,261
Received 391 Likes on 261 Posts
Default

The are usually marked on which side should go out or towards the engine
Old 08-13-2011, 04:40 PM
  #9  
Mod with training wheels
Thread Starter
iTrader: (16)
 
smokeshow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Detroit
Posts: 7,740
Received 204 Likes on 139 Posts
Default

There were no markings. Flipping it to the other side would move the converter-plate clearance from 0.230 to like a full inch. Not to mention it would probably smash up against the block So it has to be on the right way.

But the sound does go away after like 5-10 seconds, sometimes sooner. Maybe the starter isn't disengaging the plate soon enough. Over on LS1tech a few guys have used shims to fix various starter issues. Wondering if that might be my solution..
Old 08-13-2011, 06:34 PM
  #10  
formerly b4vwannabe (2/4/2012)
iTrader: (1)
 
badz24s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: McComb, MS
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I thought I read somewhere that 1/4" was normal


Quick Reply: Crank spacer with SFI flex plate



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:34 AM.