flexplate or starter ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

blazer2007 · 10-29-2020, 09:47 AM

I have a 2 wheel 80 chev truck, stock 350/350 and got the flexplate noise when I started it up the other day ,no warning signs just all of a sudden. Does it in all gears. Doesn,t make any sounds with power disconnected and cranking engine over. I crawled underneath while running with inspection cover removed and noise is there and everything seems to run true. No loose bolts ,can,t see any visible cracks but that doesn,t mean there not there. I did see on the starter this ring can slide back and forth on the nose cone and I don,t think it,s suppose to do this. Here is a pic of a nose cone and a short video I found with the same noise I have. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPk7CGEOqwk

**kwmech** · 10-29-2020, 01:58 PM

Pull the dust cover off and take a look. Sounds like it is cracked or loose

**AussieinNC** · 10-29-2020, 03:00 PM

The ring on the starter shaft being loose is not usually a problem...

Assuming you have the convertor cover off and the noise is still there...

1/ Check all convertor bolts are tight....if they are all tight and the noise remains...

2/ Its either a cracked or loose flex plate....either way, trans or engine will have to come out....

To check ....turn off engine, grab flywheel with a gloved hand and pull it in the direction of rotation, then push it back the other way...if it moves either way the trans or engine will have to come out...you may even hear a knock...

If it needs to come out its the perfect time to replace all freeze plugs in the engine.

garyd1961 · 10-29-2020, 04:00 PM

My guess would be the flex plate, maybe it's cracked or loose. If it was the starter you would hear it when trying to start with no power.

blazer2007 · 10-29-2020, 04:40 PM

Did all that is mention everything was fine. Just trying to eliminate the easy stuff. Engine was rebuilt about 5 yrs. ago with summer driven only. I know everything is possible but is not a old tired motor. Looks like a easy swap thou, have seen it done with the tranny in and just slid back a couple inches. I know about using longer tranny bolts to slide it out. Got all winter if need be but I need some drywall .

dirish · 11-04-2020, 02:24 PM

I fought a clicking noise when under torque, never at idle.
It was the internal shim on the new starter. It was a high torque mini
Starter. It took care of it. The plunger was to close to flex plate. The sim moved
It back enough not to hit, but still engage.

10-29-2020, 09:47 AM	#1
blazer2007 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: vernon b.c. Posts: 3,022	flexplate or starter ? I have a 2 wheel 80 chev truck, stock 350/350 and got the flexplate noise when I started it up the other day ,no warning signs just all of a sudden. Does it in all gears. Doesn,t make any sounds with power disconnected and cranking engine over. I crawled underneath while running with inspection cover removed and noise is there and everything seems to run true. No loose bolts ,can,t see any visible cracks but that doesn,t mean there not there. I did see on the starter this ring can slide back and forth on the nose cone and I don,t think it,s suppose to do this. Here is a pic of a nose cone and a short video I found with the same noise I have. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPk7CGEOqwk Attached Images

10-29-2020, 01:58 PM	#2
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,388	Re: flexplate or starter ? Pull the dust cover off and take a look. Sounds like it is cracked or loose

10-29-2020, 03:00 PM	#3
AussieinNC Moderator Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 2,153	Re: flexplate or starter ? The ring on the starter shaft being loose is not usually a problem... Assuming you have the convertor cover off and the noise is still there... 1/ Check all convertor bolts are tight....if they are all tight and the noise remains... 2/ Its either a cracked or loose flex plate....either way, trans or engine will have to come out.... To check ....turn off engine, grab flywheel with a gloved hand and pull it in the direction of rotation, then push it back the other way...if it moves either way the trans or engine will have to come out...you may even hear a knock... If it needs to come out its the perfect time to replace all freeze plugs in the engine. __________________ Family and country before all others... 2006 Chevy Silverado (Daily Driver) 2012 Chevy Equinox Last edited by AussieinNC; 10-29-2020 at 03:06 PM.

10-29-2020, 04:00 PM	#4
garyd1961 Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Henderson NC Posts: 975	Re: flexplate or starter ? My guess would be the flex plate, maybe it's cracked or loose. If it was the starter you would hear it when trying to start with no power.

10-29-2020, 04:40 PM	#5
blazer2007 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: vernon b.c. Posts: 3,022	Re: flexplate or starter ? Did all that is mention everything was fine. Just trying to eliminate the easy stuff. Engine was rebuilt about 5 yrs. ago with summer driven only. I know everything is possible but is not a old tired motor. Looks like a easy swap thou, have seen it done with the tranny in and just slid back a couple inches. I know about using longer tranny bolts to slide it out. Got all winter if need be but I need some drywall .

11-04-2020, 02:24 PM	#6
dirish Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Heart of Tennessee Posts: 1,124	Re: flexplate or starter ? I fought a clicking noise when under torque, never at idle. It was the internal shim on the new starter. It was a high torque mini Starter. It took care of it. The plunger was to close to flex plate. The sim moved It back enough not to hit, but still engage.



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