Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Install of Billet Flex Plate Bolts.OEM??

[MFranz]

Getting ready to install my Billet Flexplate and I have a question about the bolts. Are we using the OEM Bolts to install these Modified Flexlates which are thicker then the stock Flexplates. Whats your experience.

Thanks,Mike

 

[raychem]

Getting ready to install my Billet Flexplate and I have a question about the bolts. Are we using the OEM Bolts to install these Modified Flexlates which are thicker then the stock Flexplates. Whats your experience.

Thanks,Mike

Yep, you reuse your bolts. When you remove the factory flex plate, there will be a "ring" that is found on the flex plate bolts. This "ring" will not be used again so do not re-install it. When you install the new flex plate, you will use RED "LOC TITE" brand tread locker ONLY available at any Napa auto store. Re-install the factory bolts and torque each bolt to 100 ft lbs in a criss cross pattern. Thats it for the install on the felx plate.



so you know, we use loc tite brand because it works the best of all the other tread lock compunds out there.



Richard

 

[MFranz]

Bolts

Thanks Richard,I wasn't sure about the ring. I was planning on using Red Loctite. I had previously installed a Billet flexplate and had a little mishap. One

of the Torque converter bolts came loose and got behind the Flexplate and caused it to crack. Ouch:#@$%! So I'm installing a new Billet Flexplate.

I ordered new bolts and they were a 1/4 " shorter then the ones I took out.

From what I'm hearing this is common. These bolts are from Cummins and they

look stout so thats what I'm going with. Thanks for sharing.

Mike

 

[GCroyle]

Just curious guys, what are the grade numbers on the head of the old OE bolts vs. the new bolts?

 

[MFranz]

Grade of Bolts

Gary,I'm not sure what grade they are. The old bolts have S B E 10. . 9

written on them. The new bolts from Dodge in Cummins Packaging

have K X V 1 2 9 written on them. The new bolts are 1/4" shorter then the ones I took out. I would like to know the grade of these bolts. Does anyone know of a Web site that would show how to ID these bolts?I went with the new ones because Bill at DTT said use OEM.

Thanks

Mike

 

[GCroyle]

Mike,



I think the Cummins bolts were made by Kamax and the grade is 12. 9 (metric grade designation) these are high strength bolts. Might try searching on Kamax. The other ones are grade 10. 9, also high strentgh but not as high as the 12. 9's. Maybe someone can add to this. We see 12. 9's on the Cummins flywheels during R&R and for example the Ford's that we have worked on use 10. 9, don't start drawing conclusions, its the number of bolts, grade, size, thread pitch and torque that create the compressive sandwich that holds this stuff together.

 

[Huff N Puff]

I wiped out a front pump,

Getting ready to install my Billet Flexplate and I have a question about the bolts. Are we using the OEM Bolts to install these Modified Flexlates which are thicker then the stock Flexplates. Whats your experience.

Thanks,Mike

After installing a billet flex plate,I thought there was enough clearance, cause the converter spun freely,when the bellhousing was bolted up. Big mistake, clearances change when everything heats up. Make sure there is at least . 30-. 45 thousandths between the new flex-plate and the converter. The new thicker flex plate may not be compatible with the old converter,if the clearance is too tight.

 

[MFranz]

Bolts

Thanks Gary for the information. I installed the FlexPlate with the OEM bolts

and will be putting in the transmission soon. This time its Red Loctite all the way around. There's a lot more to this Bolt science then I imagined. I'm still looking for a Web site that gives technical information on Nuts and Bolts.

Thanks again for sharing.

Take Care

Mike

 

[MFranz]

Huff and Puff sorry to here about the Mishap. Was the Flexplate and Torque Converter from the same company. How soon after the install did you have the problem.

Thanks,Mike

 

[Huff N Puff]

It was a matched set

Huff and Puff sorry to here about the Mishap. Was the Flexplate and Torque Converter from the same company. How soon after the install did you have the problem.

Thanks,Mike

It took about 2 weeks for the pump to fail.

 

[THoltz]

..... When you install the new flex plate, you will use RED "LOC TITE" brand tread locker ONLY available at any Napa auto store.....



so you know, we use loc tite brand because it works the best of all the other thread lock compunds out there.



Richard

What does the color of the loctite signify?

 

[raychem]

What does the color of the loctite signify?

Holding strength

Green is low

Blue is medium

Red is high



Holding strength is I believe based in pounds per sq. inch. I don't have a bottle in front of me.



Richard