Anyone know where I can find a flexplate for a 1973 240z auto transmission? I tried "The ZCarSource" and the owner says the part is unavailable from the maker. I have one that grinds the starter every time I try to crank it.

I had the same problem with my 72 240z.  The fix I found was to put a couple of washers between the bell housing and the starter.  It went from grinding every start to never grinding.  That was 3 years ago and everything is still good.

If the flexplate does need to be replaced, (cracked or missing teeth) the motor Mark Maras is looking at in Portland is in an automatic car.

I am sure you can make a deal with him if he acquires  the motor to get the flexplate.

 

Any flexplate up to 81 will work, after 81 the design changed due to a different torque converter.

http://www.datsunstore.com/flywheel-series-engine-with-automatic-trans-p-1486.html

I find when none of the other parts stores have the part you are looking for Oliver does or knows where to get them

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I bought a '73 motor with an automatic flywheel and flexplate.  I'll see if I can find it today and report back.  You can have both items, if I can find them. 

No one has mentioned that there are different starters for automatic and manual transmissions. You may simply have a manual transmission starter.

Thank you everyone. Hey, Siteunseen; thank you for checking. Hope you can find those parts. Still working on the brakes over here. Found the rear wheel cylinders in the rear were leaking and needed replacing. Replaced both front calipers in the front last weekend. Not sure about what fluid to use. Dot 3 doesn't seem to give much braking power. I drained some kind of greenish fluid out. Is that Dot 4 or 5? 

I have found you a flexplate and I never throw stuff away so I'm hoping the flywheel's in my storage building.  I can try and check today.  I would try and shim your starter (if it's the right one) like Montana Z suggest, that'd be easy to do.

 

I'll let you know how the search goes later today. 

 

Not sure about Dot 3 fluid not working, that's all they had back when the car was new?  If it's dark and greenish looking, you should try and push all the old out until you see the new clear fluid.  Rear passenger's bleeder is the furthermost from the master cylinder.

 

Automatic plate is on the left, I believe?!? 

Site,

I believe he needs a flexplate that takes the place of the flywheel on an automatic car...I am not sure he needs the transmission to engine separating plate

The photo on the left is the plate found  between the .manual transmission and the engine block.

No experience with the one on the right soooo---I dunno about it.

 

Site---

Did your photos  get reversed or are you have difficulty with the morning coffee/ wake-up routine??

Okay I'm aware of my mistakes now. Left is off my 72 I'm rebuilding now

Right is off a ZX motor I tore apart.

I hope that round thing with the starter gear around it is in my storage building. I'm working this a.m and hadn't looked yet. Also thinking back the auto has a half of a separating plate, no?

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The AT separating plate is split with a separate plate on the lower portion. This plate gives access to the four bolts coupling the flex plate to the torque converter.