flexplate part

dotcentral · Post by **dotcentral** » February 5, 2007, 9:01 am

I have a 71 short bed that I want to install a 351W and AOD. Originally it was a 302/3 speed manual. I thought I had all the parts, but start flipping through the HP small block book and see "be sure to install a load spreader ring between block and flexplate" I don't have one. My limited experience with transmissions has been with manuals, so I got a dumb question. Does the AOD have a load spreader ring? Is it the same as the C4 version? I might find a C4 load spreader ring in my various piles of parts, but know I don't have the AOD version. Is this a Ford only part, or would somewhere else carry it? My guess is I need one, and it's something I need to get from a dealer or junk yard.

FORDMANLCRACKEL · Post by **FORDMANLCRACKEL** » February 5, 2007, 6:34 pm

A picture is worth a thousand words. Its the light brown circle ( in the pic )that the flex plate bolts go through. It helps with spreading of the clamping force of the bolts.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/89-92-Pr ... dZViewItem

Lonnie

jakdad · Post by **jakdad** » February 5, 2007, 6:53 pm

An absolute must have. Without the "big washer", cracks will soon develop from the holes in the flywheel or flexplate. They are fairly common, not hard to find. Prolly some guys in the club may have a spare.