hey all, I have a strange rotational knocking noise coming from the flexplate area of my 302. I was told I'm missing a plate that goes between the bolts and the flexplate itself.

Has anyone else had this problem? And what exactly is that plate called?

 

If you have recently removed and replaced the torque converter, it sounds as if you failed to align the torque converter's drain plug(s) with the proper holes on the flex plate. This makes the plate wobble when running, and the balance weight is hitting the dust cover. Some torque converters have one drain plug and sometimes two. Flex plates have four holes, but the balance weight all too often covers one of the holes up.
Best,
Al

 

Have you checked to see if the bolts are just loose?

 

The transmission was replaced, and the torque converter is a stall converter. There isn't an inspection plate right now. And the bolts on the converter are right as I can get them with a 3/8 wrench. It only makes the noise after revving the car up and its hard to hear over the exhaust. It didn't make noises like this before I changed the transmission and flexplate.

 

the index plate is the shape of the bellhousing... unless you pulled it off after swapping the flexplate its probably still in place. look betweenn the engine and transmission and see if there is a small metal plate sandwiched in between them also it could be the bell housing bolts loose

 

If that's the case then unless your exhaust is really loud I wouldn't sweat it. Check your bolts for tightness and continue to march.

My rule of thumb...If I have a noise but have to say, "ssshhhh....Can you hear that?", it ain't a problem.

 

What you are referring to is called a load spreader ring. It goes on top of the flexplate and is held in place by the flexplate bolts..It should work fine without it for a little while but the flexplate will crack and break around the bolt holes eventually..I am not sure that is your problem though as I would expect it to take a little while to break and when they do they make a very loud metallic clanging sound when the engine is running.