Okay here is the story on my Pinto (1977 2.3), it has a C3 transmission-the flex plate bolt holes have been reamed out by moving on the bolts--somebody forgot to tighten them down-anyway-I can't find a flex plate to fit-looked at all the catalogs at O'Reilleys-Car Quest NAPA etc seems the torque converter I have is one that is not even listed in parts book --parts people say it looks like a knock off. So now I am looking for either a upgrade transmission ie:C4 etc one guy I know said why not convert to a 5 speed shift manual trans--question how hard is it to convert from auto to manual shift??? Is there any year model that I can just swap in the whole drive train motor and all--and now my damn 2.3 1977-has a very loud knock.
I just cant win here and I have limited funds and limited mechanic abilities.......Maybe I should just say the hell with it and go back to growing tomatoes LOL
Anyway, any help would be appreciated from you mechanics/gear heads out there..
thanks again.
trying to get my act together so I can cruize my pinto at the Friday nite cruise in's ;D
LEFTY
Why not a A4LD you'll have OD.
Sounds like you have a three bolt converter and the only flexplates you are finding are for the four bolt converters.
Quote from: thewrench3 on September 10, 2009, 04:22:19 PM
Sounds like you have a three bolt converter and the only flexplates you are finding are for the four bolt converters.
You are exactly right-3 bolt and no flex plates will fit like you say they are all 4 bolt
I checked a few sites and they still list the C3 flex plate for the 1977 Pinto. The Autozone site does say it was a special order item. I could not get the part link to copy and paste here but www.rockauto.com (http://www.rockauto.com) lists 2 brands of flex plates for the 77 Pinto C3. Hope one of these have it in stock for you.
http://www.napaonline.com/masterpages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=470&LineCode=BK&PartNumber=6005039&Description=Flex+Plate (http://www.napaonline.com/masterpages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=470&LineCode=BK&PartNumber=6005039&Description=Flex+Plate)
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/parts/partsProduct.jsp?displayName=Flywheel+-+Automatic+Transmission&itemId=119-0&navValue=11200119&parentId=12-0&productId=55053&fromString=&itemIdentifier=55053_0_0_1631&filterByKeyWord=&categoryNValue=&isSearchByPartNumber=&categoryDisplayName=Drivetrain&store=1273&skuDescription=Pioneer/Flywheel-AutomaticTransmission&fromWhere=&searchText=&_requestid=2008001 (http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/parts/partsProduct.jsp?displayName=Flywheel+-+Automatic+Transmission&itemId=119-0&navValue=11200119&parentId=12-0&productId=55053&fromString=&itemIdentifier=55053_0_0_1631&filterByKeyWord=&categoryNValue=&isSearchByPartNumber=&categoryDisplayName=Drivetrain&store=1273&skuDescription=Pioneer/Flywheel-AutomaticTransmission&fromWhere=&searchText=&_requestid=2008001)
Reactor has Flexplates Or redrill a A4LD plate
http://www.reactorproducts.com/mainProducts.html (http://www.reactorproducts.com/mainProducts.html)
Napaonline has them
http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=430&CatId=8&SubCatId=11 (http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=430&CatId=8&SubCatId=11)
for $58.49
Pictures shows three holes (http://partimages.genpt.com/partimages/257708.jpg)
Mike
I have tried every flex plate listed in O'Reilly-Auto Zone-NAPA and none of their three hole flex plates for a 2/3 /C3 transmission fit my torque converter--all the mounting holes are just a shade off. so I am now looking A4LD transmission out of a Ranger-Mustang or a Bronco II I was told they will bolt right up to my 77 2.3 engine.
Lefty
Quote from: Mike Modified on September 11, 2009, 02:34:56 PM
Napaonline has them
http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=430&CatId=8&SubCatId=11 (http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=430&CatId=8&SubCatId=11)
for $58.49
Pictures shows three holes (http://partimages.genpt.com/partimages/257708.jpg)
Mike
I wonder if that 3-bolt flexplate it 'keyed' of sorts? I know I have seen in the past where the holes were not equal distance from each other, so it could ONLY be bolted on ONE way. (I want to say this was the case on my 390, but it's been too long and too many motors ago to remember stuff like that ;D) If you tried lining it up any other way than the ONE correct way, they would be slightly off.
The six holes aren't evenly spaced where the flex-plate bolts to the crank. I had to spin the flywheel around twice on Wee Beastie before I got the holes to line up right (if you did the math, I probably had it right once and didn't quite see it).
Quote from: douglasskemp on September 14, 2009, 10:50:50 AM
I wonder if that 3-bolt flex plate it 'keyed' of sorts? I know I have seen in the past where the holes were not equal distance from each other, so it could ONLY be bolted on ONE way. (I want to say this was the case on my 390, but it's been too long and too many motors ago to remember stuff like that ;D) If you tried lining it up any other way than the ONE correct way, they would be slightly off.
We tried every conceivable way to line up the three holes that the torque converter bolts fit through and non of the flex plates would marry up. The flex I have now for some reason the torque converter bolts were not tightened down and the torque converter moved around and elongated the holes-now the torque converter moves and makes one hell of a noise....
some one said that the A4LD would bolt right in--then someone else said it was inches longer than the 1977 C2-then I seen people talking about the A4LD and solenoid that had to be hooked up-then someone else said they did not hook up the solenoid and the transmission worked perfect--
1. If I used a A4LD would I have to shorten my drive shaft?
2. The best years for the A4LD to work I have been told are from 1980's to 1990
3. If I use the A4LD will I have to relocate my transmission mount?
4. I understand the A5LD came in the Mustang-Granada-Bronco II-and the Ranger Pickup-all with the 2.3 or 2.5 engines is that correct?
5. If I had a chance to pick up the engine 2.3 and transmission A4LD- would that be advisable if yes what would I need for the engine to make it work-Computer? Harness?
I am not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination but I am willing to learn and take this project one step at a time
What really prefer to do is just make what I have work ie: find a flex plate and even a different torque converter for my 1977 C3 to make it work again.
And I really appreciate all you guys have done to help this project along..
Lefty
Based on a 79 Pinto C3, the flex plate will bolt up to the onverter in all of the three positions but should be bolted up in the one position that gives access to the converter's drain plug.
Since you said it is just a shade off from bolting up, I was wondering if the converter is damaged or made incorrectly. If the flex to converter connection was loose and banging around, may be some of the nuts are bent where they are welded to the converter. If they are bent and not too badly damaged, screwing in a long bolt may give enough leverage to gently bend it back. I have not done this, just speculating. Of course new a flex and a new converter would be ideal but may get expensive.
Quote from: oldkayaker on September 15, 2009, 05:51:25 AM
Based on a 79 Pinto C3, the flex plate will bolt up to the onverter in all of the three positions but should be bolted up in the one position that gives access to the converter's drain plug.
Since you said it is just a shade off from bolting up, I was wondering if the converter is damaged or made incorrectly. If the flex to converter connection was loose and banging around, may be some of the nuts are bent where they are welded to the converter. If they are bent and not too badly damaged, screwing in a long bolt may give enough leverage to gently bend it back. I have not done this, just speculating. Of course new a flex and a new converter would be ideal but may get expensive.
I have found flex plates but finding a torque converter --all the parts stores don't have any 3 bolt just 3 4 bolt for the c4--
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180025465761 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180025465761) try this one. I know people dont like Evil-bay but its worth a Shot. Hope this helps
You sure its a rod knock? A loose flywheel/flexplate can sound like a rod knock.
Quote from: pintoguy76 on September 27, 2009, 12:58:42 AM
You sure its a rod knock? A loose flywheel/flexplate can sound like a rod knock.
I guess it could be since my flex plate was not bolted down correctly and it rounded out the three holes the torque converter bolt through--now the engine will not start (has a hard time turning over) when it was running the knock was very loud and as the rpm went up the knock got less ???
I am currently going thru the same thing with my 78 Crusing wagon. What sounded like a rod knock was infact loose torque converter bolts, I am pretty sure of it. Mine too was quieter when the rpms were up.
I pulled the motor about a month ago now to see what was going on. When I ran across the loose torque converter bolts and saw the condition of the flexplate, I was pretty sure I found the source of the noise. I had to fix an oil leak anyway so I pulled the pan to make sure everything was ok. I got the motor back in a couple weeks ago but only started hooking things up this afternoon. I was lucky enough to have had a spare C3 flexplate. I made sure I aligned the drain plug to the hole before I tightend the bolts. I used loctite on the torq conveter bolts this time. My torque converter seemed fine, did yours get damaged?
I have a few things left to connect so I did not start it today but I did install the battery to cranked it over. I did not hear the rattle noise when the engine was turning over so I am pretty sure I have fixed it. Mine turned over like normal. Are you sure you had the torque converter in all the way before you started to assemble things? If it is not in all the way, the converter will not spin freely once the motor and transmission are married together. You may also see if the starter is binding for any reason? Just a couple thoughts....
I hope to get my car running in the next couple days. I will subscribe to this thread to see how you are coming along. Good luck to you...