missing tooth wil be a weak spot-------it could break more right next to it or work fine for a long time. get the new flywheel just in case as the run around car could go down if more teeth break off......

 

Just buy another flex, couple hundred bucks isn't worth a stranded vehicle..

 

Especially if Pep Boys will pay for it! :hurray: I like my flexplates like I like my women, with all their teeth!

 

does Pep Boys have a 383 listed on their computer? or will they know that you need a 400 flexplate?
unless it was internally balanced, in which case you need one for a 350.
of course, it could have been balanced by grinding on the flexplate that's in the car now, in which case, you will need to get a flexplate balanced to match the one you have. but i don't think too many machine shops do it that way, since that would be stupid.

 

your kidding right !! IF you say the word 383 chevy ,your doomed ,and you may end up leaving with mopar part!! JUST TELL THEM IT IS A 1970 CHEVY IMPALA with a sbc 400. AND hopefully they dont say IVE NEVER HEARD OF A SBC 400 ,ONLY BIG BLOCK!!

GOOD LUCK ,really.

 

Ok since the majority of you say to change the flex plate. And since it is a 383 and externallly balanced. Then I need to pull the motor and have everything rebalanced. I might as just well just pull it out as one unit. Take it apart and then put it all back in as one unit. Man this stinks. What do you all think. One of my friends said to just try a band new starter and see how that goes.Hmmmmm

Jerryt

 

I dont think you have to pull the engine. Just get a 400 flywheel, drop the trans and install it.

 

just pull the trans, pull the flywheel, and see if it is int/ext balanced-then when you get a new starter motor, make sure you ck the tooth contact and shim if beeded, so you dont break another one

 

Isnt the ring gear replaceable ??
Guy

 

Thats on a flywheel, he's got an automatic.

And IMHO, take it from someone who knows first hand and he himself thought "One tooth won't hurt anything" and replace it now! Mine was fine for a while and one day I went to start it and it happened to hit the tooth next to the broken one, it went down hill from there!

 

I thought the ring gear on a flexplate was replaceable like a flywheel..
My Bad !!!!!!!
Guy

 

Ok now that I have decided to replace the flexplate. I have a question. My friend that usually helps me cant this time. So do you think its easier to take the motor n tranny out as one unit. The only reason I am thinking of this is because I will have to do this on my back all by myself. Do a little one day and then a little more the next time. Then replace the flexplate easily out in the open. Its a 383 stroker that if memory serves me right is balanced externally. Hopefully I can get the flexplate rebalanced like the original.

Jerry70899

 

just pull the tranny back and down enough to change the flexplate and put it back together. find a tranny jack to use, it will make life alot easier........

 

Just unbolt the trans and drop it a few inches and roll it back far enough to get to the flexplate bolts. The 400 flexplate will have a weight welded to it and a 350 won't. Just swap the flexplate with the proper type and bolt the trans back up.

Don't worry about pulling the engine. It should be just fine. Check your starter bolt holes for damage. I also recommend installing a starter brace.

Good Luck.

 

Go rent a transmission jack.
It's not a big deal to slide the tranny back just far enough to replace the flexplate.

 

you don't even need a transmission jack to replace a flexplate. just do like i did on my 92 Caprice when the flexplate broke.
i got the car up nice and high on 4 good jackstands, unbolted the driveshaft from the rear end but left it in the back of the trans (if you take it out, you will be doing the rest of the job in a red pool of atf) unbolted the trans crossmember from the frame and trans mount, took out the torque converter bolts and slid it back into the trans as far as it would go,took out the 6 bellhousing bolts and replaced the 2 bottom bolts with old long starter bolts, supported the engine under the oil pan with a bottle jack, jacked up the trans a little bit with a floor jack and a piece of plywood under the pan, took the crossmember out and dropped the jack on the trans a couple of inches, and slid the trans back 4" or so. you need to lower the jack under the engine a little bit to allow the front of the trans to drop down to clear the firewall. i was able to easily get my arm up there with a ratchet to take out the flexplate bolts and remove it. installation is just the reverse of removal. using the long bolts in the bellhousing keeps everything lined up for easy reassembly and keeps the trans from falling on your head.

 

Did the same thing with my 71 chevelle and some 8 inch long bolts slapped the trans right back into place and no hassles!!

 

My friend said that I can use a new 400 chevy flex plate for my 383. I dont see how this can happen. The 383 is externally balanced and if I just put on a new flex plate the motor will be out of balance. Can I get the new flexplate rebalanced to match the old one? Or is he right and I can bolt on a new one and the flex plate will work. Hope I can just bolt up a new flex plate and be done.

Happy New Year

Jerry70899

 

A 400 is what you need for a 383 because they both use the same externally ballanced crank. Your friend is right. A 350 flexplate will not work.

 

So I can order a flex plate for a chevy 400 and bolt if up to my 383? I thought it had to be rebalanced to match the old 400 flex plate. If I can just bolt on a new 400 flex plate then I will order it from summit and start tearing it apart.

Jerry70899

 

when your motor was built, they should have been able to balance it without doing any grinding on the flexplate. if they did grind the flexplate for some reason to get it to balance, then you will need to get the new one balanced the same as the old one.