74datsun710 Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 I am wondering if a flex plate for a 1974 Datsun wagon can be turned over and be used on the other side of the tooth gearing? I have two flex plates that have a chewed up worn section of teeth. Are the plates reversible, or do they only bolt on one direction? 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 I believe only one direction. Lay on a table and measure from the center hole down to the table top. Now flip over. If it measures the same it might work. Pretty sure one side is off. 1 Quote Link to comment
datsunaholic Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 They're offset. I put one on backwards once, the transmission wouldn't go into gear because the torque converter wasn't positioned right. 1 Quote Link to comment
tr8er Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 The torque converter could possibly be spaced with washers. Can anyone imagine some beefy washers, or spacers that would carry the weight between engine and torque converter. If so, and assuming the starter does engage, you may have a usable flex plate. You may not get much in the way of warning when those bolts loosen, or sheer. Is this ridiculous? Quote Link to comment
datsunaholic Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 Kind of- even if you got the torque converter perfectly spaced, the ring gear to starter distance wouldn't be correct. In addition to not going into gear, my starter made all sorts of weird noises when the flexplate was on backwards. Quote Link to comment
510SSS Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 Hey there if you cannot get that flex plate working I have one that I used with my L-16 it is in great shape, I am only looking to get $35 shipped for it, let me know if this might fit your needs. I can provide pictures as well. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 Hey there if you cannot get that flex plate working I have one that I used with my L-16 it is in great shape, I am only looking to get $35 shipped for it, let me know if this might fit your needs. I can provide pictures as well. . Will have to be from a late '71 or newer with a 3N71B JATCO automatic. Quote Link to comment
Busta Nut Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 . Will have to be from a late '71 or newer with a 3N71B JATCO automatic. Mine was an auto....'72....no idea which one....I'll check tomorrow....the flex plate was in great shape and I'm not gonna use it. Quote Link to comment
Ranman72 Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 I believe they are one directional the ring gear is replaceable but would have to be done by a professional in my opinion but used good ones should be readily available see above post Quote Link to comment
Busta Nut Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 Here it is...... ...and I believe these are the numbers you're looking for.... ....apparently it's been rebuilt also.... I'll have to dig up the flex plate......it's around here somewhere.....let me know if you need it. 1 Quote Link to comment
Busta Nut Posted December 3, 2013 Report Share Posted December 3, 2013 Found it..... This is the worst part of the gear.... Even found the spacer if you need it......... Let me know...... Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted December 3, 2013 Report Share Posted December 3, 2013 That's the one. Was also used on the early 620 with L16. Quote Link to comment
MikeRL411 Posted December 3, 2013 Report Share Posted December 3, 2013 Might? still be available through Nissan? Many years ago I had to replace the ring gear on my British Borg Warner, Turns out that the complete Flex Plate and ring gear assembly cost less than the ring gear alone. Demand pricing? Plus I didn;t have to go through the first get a hydraulic press then freeze the flex plate and heat up the ring gear [oh did you get the alignment right] rigamorole. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted December 3, 2013 Report Share Posted December 3, 2013 It's welded to the 3N71B auto flex plate but yeah freeze the flywheel and heat the ring in the oven for the standard. Quote Link to comment
74datsun710 Posted December 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 Thanks Triple240z, The flex plate I currently have is about in the same shape as the one you have but a little worse. I am going to remove the old one in my Datsun to see how bad and exactly what is wrong with it. I will definitely let you know if I need your flex plate. Thanks for sending the photos! Quote Link to comment
74datsun710 Posted December 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 So I am a newbie at transmissions and am going to R&R my flex plate for my 1974 Datsun 710 Wagon. Is there anything that i need to know specifically before starting this project? What to avoid? Am I going to have to drop the entire transmission out to replace the flex plate? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Quote Link to comment
Eagle_Adam Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 yes you will have to drop the whole trans i would assume your current flexplate is toast BTW.... ive done it a few times now chances are yours looks like this if its grinding while you try to start it Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 Hmmmm I see you already have a post on the flex plate. I'll combine them to keep all info together. Quote Link to comment
Eagle_Adam Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 i see what you did there mike.... confused the hell outta me for min..... telln myself "i swear none of this shit was here when i responded, am i that tired" Quote Link to comment
Busta Nut Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 Same...through me for a sec.... Thanks Triple240z, The flex plate I currently have is about in the same shape as the one you have but a little worse. I am going to remove the old one in my Datsun to see how bad and exactly what is wrong with it. I will definitely let you know if I need your flex plate. Thanks for sending the photos! No problem.....glad to help Quote Link to comment
74datsun710 Posted December 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2013 Thanks for all the help guys. I was just thinking that if I took my Flexplate into a machine shop do you think they could take the ring gear off and flip it/ weld it on so I would have the useable side to work with? Anyone have experience or have had this done? Quote Link to comment
Busta Nut Posted December 13, 2013 Report Share Posted December 13, 2013 Not sure you can do that.....the angles cut in on the one side I think are factory to help the starter engage without messing up the teeth..... The other side is a straight cut and I think it'll make one hell of a racket when the starter engages.... Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted December 13, 2013 Report Share Posted December 13, 2013 '74 710 L18 starter ring gear is 12312-A8600 and about $100 at dealer. It was used on all L4 and L6 automatics and standards through the Z24i in the D21 and WD21. You could easilt tap the one off a standard flywheel... cut yours off at the welds and have someone weld it back on. About $160 for the 5 bolt flex plate assy from dealer. Cheaper to find an auto flexplate from a '71 and up 510, early L16/L18 620, 610 or 710 automatic. Quote Link to comment
74datsun710 Posted December 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2013 Ok thanks I think that I've beaten a dead horse enough with my options. I'll go the ring route if my dealer still has one and weld it on. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted December 13, 2013 Report Share Posted December 13, 2013 I think it could also be turned around to the other side. I have the procedure for mounting a starter ring on a flywheel and there is no mention of a front or back. It has to come off anyway, so test fit it on and maybe save $97.50 Quote Link to comment
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