[bscoffey]

hi guys,
I'm thinking my flexplate needs replacing . Can I use one from any 4.3 or do I have to get model specific? Do these have to be balanced? :?:

 

[Matrixx]

Hi bscoffey

I would be model specific unless your pulling one out from the auto wreckers, they will know exactly what fits and what doesn't. Their has been a lot of small changes to the transmission and torque converter over the years.

The Flex Plate should already be pre-balanced from the factory to match that years torque converter.

Hope this helps.

 

[bscoffey]

Thanks Matrixx,
I was wondering do I need to go to the dealership for this or aftermarket? :shrug:

 

[Matrixx]

Personally speaking I would hit the auto part stores or auto wreckers for that application. Or check at http://www.rockauto.com. The dealership would be the last place for me when it came to the flex plate. Just my :2:.

 

[bscoffey]

I checked rock and cant get the flexplate to come up.i dont think they have one . If i go with the salvage yard i'm thinking that im gonna end up with another cracked flexplate in the near future.I would rather go with a new one. Just cant find one.

 

[astro355]

Just make sure you count the teeth on the flexplate. GM has made several different flexplates with different teeth count. If you get a flexplate with the wrong teeth count, you will know it when you try and start the van.

 

[bscoffey]

Thans Astro 355,
I'm not so sure the flexplate. I checked it with a prybar and it is solid.No movement whatsoever.I haven't took the trans out yet but thats for later,I'm gonna replace the rear main seal while its out. I tried moving the crank front to back with the prybar also and no movement.I'm leaning toward one of your ideas about the noise comming from the valvetrain.

 

[astro355]

Just to throw this out there, its really hard to find a crack in the flexplate that way. Sure, if the bolts are insanely loose, you will know it by using a pry bar. But if you are going to replace the rear seal, you can check it then.

 

[bscoffey]

Yea that was my line of thinking also .I just wanted to make sure I had a flexplate on hand,or access to one, before i took the trans out, just incase that was the problem.

 

[tnhillbilly]

I was at the dealership today picking up some parts and asked for a price on your flexplate. They are very proud of them. 160.00 and they have to order it. I checked some other places locally and checked on the net and I, like you, didn't find anything. If you don't want to get one form the junkyard you might check your local tranny shops to see if they can get one. Like astro355 said, I don't think you will find out until you pull the tranny so you can see the flexplate. I have replaced a couple of cracked flexplates through the years and there was no way to tell until you could see it. Keep us updated on what you find out.

 

[bscoffey]

thanks hillbilly,
i took it to the dealership today. Had a ses light come on for a day then went off. Also the abs light comes on once and awhile. thought i'd let them take it for a while. Thanks for checking on that price. Seems like if this was a continuos problem why don't any one have them in aftermarket?

 

[kevreif]

hey bscoffey where you at? if the dealer doesn't work out for you i've got a flex plate off of a 350 V8. i had a 350 and my 262 both out of the van at the same time. put the flex plates on top of each other. exact match. i no longer have the 350 but i'm pretty sure i have the flex plate yet. if your close i'll drop it off or meet you. say $30?? i also have starters and other miscellaneous parts. i should post in the for sale section.

oh my zip is 17847 email is kevinyourtheman at hotmail dot com

 

[bscoffey]

hey kevreif,
i'm in north carolina my zip is 28630. e-mail :[email protected] what model was the 350? will it work with the 01 4.3 ?