Auto Flexplate.

[jed]

Hello,

I'm looking to obtain a flexplate for an Auto' 1972 240Z.

I was told that the plate from a later 280ZX would fit so I managed to find one on-line but the plate and ring gear had been separated. The plate had gone off with the engine so I purchased the ring gear but having removed my starter I can see it won't work.

Can anyone confirm that the ring gear is from a 280ZX, I'm not sure.

If anyone has a plate for sale, please let me know.

Thanks.

[conedodger]

I have one from a 280ZX Turbo that you can have for the cost of shipping. You'll have to confirm that it will work for you though...

[IdahoKidd]

It appears that in your picture you have the ring gears off of a standard flywheel. The auto flex plate has the ring welded to the plate and is not removable. I have a damaged one (bad teeth) that isn't likely any better than the one you have. I can send a picture so that you can see what it looks like so you know what you need without taking the one out of your car

Auto flexplate is on the left, traditional flywheel on the right

Edited May 1, 2013 by IdahoKidd
add photo

[jed]

Hello,

Thanks for the reply.

That's another question I had but forgot to mention it. There's one on ebay for sale from a turbo but I don't know if it'll fit.

Maybe someone can answer this over the next few days?

Will get back to you.

Thx

Edited May 1, 2013 by jed
To clarify which message replied to.

[jed]

Hello,

Thanks for the reply, looks like I've been conned again. The first time was the guy in California who sold the car to me, I can't catch a break with this 240.

The teeth on mine are chewed halfway through in a couple of areas but mostly in one really bad area, the problem is the engine tends to stop rotating at the same point so more often than not it grinds on start up.

How bad is the one you have and was it a problem starting or did you just notice the wear and decided to change it?

I would appreciate a photo of the opposite side and can you tell me what year that plate is?

Many thanks.

[IdahoKidd]

The teeth only chatter on this one, doesn't ever quit rotating. However, I would not go to the effort of putting it in to replace the one you have. It strikes me odd that it too is only bad in a couple of spots.

If you use the logic that a turbo flywheel for a manual will fit the 240, the flex plate for a zx would fit. The outside diameter would be the same, it would be the flex plate bolting to the torque converter that would be the next hurdle. Gut instinct is that it would be the same, but haven't ever had need to check it. I could send you the one I have so that you could compare it at a bone yard, it would be easier than pulling yours, but you need to pull yours eventually.

Just a thought, but the maxima flexplate might work

[jed]

It seems to me that when the engine is switched off the rotation hits a point of resistance mostly at a certain point. I do have a mis-fire and one plug that seems to be fouled so I should check to see where on the firing order the worst of the damage is on the flexplate.

That's a great idea to take your old one for a comparison but the shipping to the UK will be expensive and we just don't have any supply of parts for these cars, there won't be any in our bone yards. Automatic models were very rare until the 280ZX came out plus the 280Z never came out over here and the Maxima was very rare over here. I think it was only the 1990's version we got and I haven't seen one of those for maybe 10 years.

I don't have any experience of automatics so flexplates and torque convectors are all new to me. The guy I bought the one shown above from told me that his mechanics were separating the engine and transmission but undid the wrong bolts and the ring gear came off. I don't understand this, surely both have to be split apart before the ring would come off. I thought the flexplate bolted to the engine side but you say its bolted to the torque convertor.

Next time someone tries to sell me a perfect A+ with no faults and everything works car, I'll be more sceptical.

Thanks again.

[jed]

I've been in discussion with the guy on ebay who sold me this ring and he states it is from a 1981 280ZX Auto.

Would anyone know if there's any possibility that the 81 ZX Auto had a bolted on ring gear and not welded?

Thanks.

[jed]

For future reference if anyone is wanting to replace a 240Z flexplate, I can confirm that the 280ZX flexplate is a direct replacement.

I couldn't find anyone from the US, UK or OZ who had done this swop to confirm it was possible though many suspected it was.

[conedodger]

My Turbo flex plate is a welded unit. Sorry, I forgot to get back to you. I believe you sent me a PM some time back. It is from a ZXT and has a little bit of tooth rash in one spot where someone engaged the starter with the engine running.

[hr369]

any year up to 1981 will work. 3N71 jatco's all used the same flex plate. in 82 they went to a locking torque converter L3N71 which has a different flex plate

[jed]

My Turbo flex plate is a welded unit. Sorry, I forgot to get back to you. I believe you sent me a PM some time back. It is from a ZXT and has a little bit of tooth rash in one spot where someone engaged the starter with the engine running.

Hello,

I managed to get a 280ZX flexplate after many months of trying and fitted it a few weeks back. There are those who suspect that the ZXT flexplate won't fit but until someone tries and updates the forum then we'll not be certain.

Thanks,

Ian.