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Engine spacer plate question

2K views 10 replies 3 participants last post by  **DONOTDELETE** 
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#1 ·
I have an 83' cj7 with a 258I. I just discovered that the spacer
plate is missing from the back of the motor between the motor and the
bell housing. The fly wheel is completely exposed and I fear that the
starter could be misaligned.

Is this a major concern, and if so, will I need to drop the
transmission(T5) and clutch. Or can I install this plate without
completely removing them.
Thanks for any advice.






 
#2 ·
/wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif Carumba! This is a beeg problem for you! That plate is supposed to connect everything together so it holds better, and at the same time act as a spacer. You will have 1/4" less free travel on the throwout bearing, and the input shaft of the tranny will penetrate the pilot bearing 1/4" farther than normal.I'm not sure about the sixes, but doesn't that plate also catch the bolts for the inspection cover? I knew a guy who had a beer can flip up off the road and as luck would have it it went RIGHT INTO the flywheel since he had no cover on the bellhousing. It made a lot of racket, but did little harm. I don't think you can slip that plate in place without removing the tranny and maybe even the flywheel./wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif

CJDave
Quadra-Tracs modified While-U-Wait by the crack moonguy/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif Quadra-Trac Team./wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif
 
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#3 ·
CJDAVE,

Reading this post I was unclear about what you guys were talking about until your last sentance. If your referring to the cover that gets bolted between the trans and the I6, Yes you will have to remove the trans, and the flywheel. (unless you modify the spacer a bit so that it slides past the crank)

This happened to me when I put everything together.. In my case it was much easier cause I had my motor/trans/tcase in the garage..

84CJ7 SOA,35's,OnboardAir,Dual winches,Full Cage,Snorkels, and more
OverMost 4WD Club
JerseyWheelers Club
 
#4 ·
/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif I thought so......even the one on our 304 is "captured" by the flywheel./wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif

CJDave
Quadra-Tracs modified While-U-Wait by the crack moonguy/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif Quadra-Trac Team./wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif
 
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#5 ·
You CAN get it in around the flywheel on a 304/360, but you have to pull the locating studs at the bottom of the block. You also have to bend it a little, but not so much that it gets bent, more like flexing...

Hmmmm - actually, when I did this, the engine was out... Actually, I doubt you can do it in the chassis. P.S. - Dave - no way that plate is 1/4" thick - everyone I've seen is 1/8". - Chuck

Chuck Hadley
 
#6 ·
/wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif Hmmmmmm.......I'm thinking closer to 3/16"....after all, 1/8" is only 10 Ga. It SEEMS thicker./wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif

CJDave
Quadra-Tracs modified While-U-Wait by the crack moonguy/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif Quadra-Trac Team./wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif
 
#7 ·
oops, looks like 1/16 to 1/8 for me. pretty thin

IM not sure what purpose it serves, Ive just always reinstalled it incase it had a purpose.


OzarkJeep

"If thats the way that you want it, well thats the way I want it more..."
 
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#8 ·
on my 80 cj-7 with a 83+ engine the plate in question was only 1/16 inch. I would call it more of a dust cover. it was two peice with the upper peice being installed before the fly wheel. the lower peice could be installed with everything inplace. I would check to see if the upper part is still installed if so you are in good shape.

on my jeep at least the plate has no spacer value add is just to keep lots of water off the clutch.

bandhmo

 
#9 ·
My '83, 258, TF999 auto has a slot cut in the plate so it CAN be slipped in from the top if you slide the trans (bellhousing) back far enough to clear the alignment pins. All of the bellhousing bolts go through this plate and mine is 1/8" thick (yes I just went out and measured it). I forgot this piece while putting my motor/trans in the chassis, and found out it will go in without removing the flywheel. Don't know how it will clear the firewall though, as mine is just a rolling chassis now.

Mike H.
1983 CJ-7 Laredo, Down to the bare frame...parts everywhere!
1991 Cherokee Limited
2000 Durango SLT

If it's tourist season...why can't we shoot 'em?
 
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#10 ·
I bought a replacement plate that has a slot cut out so hopefully I can slide it in place without removing the flywheel. However, I'm still not sure whether or not I will be able to get it in place without removing the engine.

I really don't want to pull the tranny and/or engine just to put this plate in unless this could cause serious problems.

Thanks for all the advice and please let me know if anyone has anymore ideas.

 
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#11 ·
Hey-YES, there is a serious concern on your part. Not only what dave said but that spacer plate acts as a shim! Your pilot shaft on your transmission could be hitting your crankshaft now. Either one of many things could happen as did on my car once= The force of the pilot shaft had caused my crankshaft to ggrriinndd away my thrust bearing in my motor(The thrust bearing is used to center the crank in the block within a couple thousandths=centerline in Fords-Last bearing cap in Gm's). In a matter of 4 months I had gone from 60 lbs of oil pressure at idle to 25 lbs. That was the 'weak' link to what could have happened. The other would be the bearings in the transmission would eventiually fail also. Change it or look for another crank..easier for you, I had to find one for a 1969 429 Cobra Jet! Cha-Ching!

MARK (OIIIIO) LANGMOTORSPORTS
1977/CJ7/GLASSTUB/460CIFORD/C6AUTO/4"LIFT/33'S
 
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