Ford engine block plate

[Lonestartech]

Hey guys,
Simple question for those who know the answer. What is the purpose of the thin metal plate that goes between the engine and transmission on some Ford vehicles? Is it for starter alignment with the flywheel? Now for the reason I ask, besides the fact I wasn’t 100% sure. A guy in our shop ( not me believe it or not) put an engine in a Ford Explorer Sporttrac, 2wd auto trans and lo and behold after he was done he realized that he’d forgotten the block plate. So after a few terse words he ask what would happen if he left it out. The only thing I could think of was possible starter alignment problems but I told him lets check on line and ask around perhaps someone would know the correct answer. So here I am.

So hopefully in the morning I can let him know whether he has to pull the motor and install the plate or if it’s as simple as shimming the starter.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Topic

[Matt]

It sounds like you might be talking about the removable inspection plate if we’re on the same page. It allows you to obviously inspect the flexplate (auto) or flywheel (manual trans) for wear, and check for oil leaks, etc. If we’re talking about the same thing, you would want to install it. You don’t want rocks and debris getting in there and jamming up the starter, etc. You shouldn’t have to pull the engine, but you may have to pull the trans back a bit to install it.

[619DioFan]

The plate you are referring to is there to cover the lower portion of the bell housing and keep debris out as beefy stated. I believe the style plate you are referring to is the full size that resemble the shape of the bell housing and not the small quarter size that sits right under the lower section of the bell housing. this style goes behind the flywheel ( or flex plate in the case of an automatic ) and up against the block. the only way to install it is with the flywheel or flex plate off. so unfortunantly the tranny will need to be slide back and the flywheel or flex plate removed.

[Matt]

Quoted From 619DioFan:

The plate you are referring to is there to cover the lower portion of the bell housing and keep debris out as beefy stated. I believe the style plate you are referring to is the full size that resemble the shape of the bell housing and not the small quarter size that sits right under the lower section of the bell housing. this style goes behind the flywheel ( or flex plate in the case of an automatic ) and up against the block. the only way to install it is with the flywheel or flex plate off. so unfortunantly the tranny will need to be slide back and the flywheel or flex plate removed.

Thanks for the clarification Dio. I didn’t now that it was a full cover play, because I haven’t done a Ford engine for about 15 years, and I didn’t remember the ’89 Bronco II having one. But like I said, it’s been 15 years. So yeh, yer shop buddy has to install the plate. He should probably keep his parts organized better next time.

[college man]

Live and learn. Thanks for the updateC8-)

[Lonestartech]

Thanks guys! He seperated the engine and tranny today and slipped it in place, wasn’t happy about it but he did it. I told him at least look at it this way that’s one thing you’ll never forget again.

[EricTheCarGuy]

The plate is a shim and I believe it’s there to not only provide proper clearance for the starter but also for the torque converter, to be honest I’m not sure of it’s purpose beyond that. I will say however that metal costs money and over a million or so units that money adds up, that said if the manufacture saw fit to make and install that part at great expense you can rest assured that it’s suppose to be there and you should put it back. It sounds like you’ve already done that however which I think was a good move.

[Author]

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