chickenfarmer

Alright guys I've got a question. I've got a 93 w250 with an automatic. Motor is pretty stock, pump is turned up a little but that's about it. The previous owner said that it has billet inputand output shafts. It started making a grinding noise for about a week at low RPM and then I went to leave the house the other day and made it 40 feet before it made a horrible grinding noise and shutdown. I pulled the inspection cover and can see that the flexplate is in pieces. I understand that that would stop the truck, but does it make sense that the motor shut down? I am worried there is something else going on. Let me know what your thoughts and questions are, I appreciate it!

rockcrawler_101

It could stop the motor. i would pull the trans out and install a new flex plate and start the truck up without the trans to see if there is anymore noise. I would also make sure everything still spins freely in the trans. It sounds like the transmission was going bad and freezed up destroying the flex plate.

chickenfarmer

That would make sense, the trans has been on its last leg for a long while now. I split the motor and trans and they both turn smooth. I will order a flexplate asap and get the motor started up

deere country

I have replaced many bad flex plates and never had one do damage to the trans. I am betting your flexplate is stock and if it is they are notorious for failing.

What makes you beleive the tranny is on its last leg? If it has billet parts in it its likley been rebuilt at some point.

1320Fastback

A flex plate could shatter and have pieces jamb in such a way that it could stop the motor much like the KDP could jamb and try to stop the motor but break the case instead.

I suppose it could also shatter the trans bell housing though too or do nothing and simply idle away.

chickenfarmer

Well great hopefully it's just a broken flexplate! I ordered one from PATC and a spacer in case I need it. I am thinking the tranny is going because I changed the fluid and filter last spring and pulled out a huge handful of steel shavings

NJTman

The adapter plate got a little scored up on mine, but no damage otherwise. As soon as I heard the flex plate crack, I stopped running the engine. It was either towed or pushed from there out until I dropped the trans and replaced it. I didn't need the spacer, nor have I heard anyone who did with a stock size converter. I would order new bolts for it, both at the crank and TC. I didn't feel comfortable reusing the bolts
And they weren't terribly expensive from the dealer

Really confused as to why you would continue to run it after you first heard the noise of the plate cracking. It will cost you good money for a new adapter plate, (if you can find one) as its only made from aluminum, and will deteriorate quickly once that flexplate went

. I was quoted $1200 for a new one (backordered at the time) and used was half that, but I had to travel 16 hours round trip for it. Luckily mine wasn't damaged severely enough to require replacing.