Just a quick question. Should the fly wheel and torque convert be exposed underneath?

 

What model year car? Generally, the flexplate (automatic) or flywheel (manual) has a metal or plastic cover which covers both. For some model years they are available. Others you might find NOS or search this forum under the Parts For Sale.

 

Lots of times they get left off, should be there but car will work without it.

 

I wouldn't do any off-roading w/out a cover.
The notion of getting some fencing wire or rope wound around the flywheel doesn't sit well mentally for me.

 

It's a 72 Cutlass S. Just seemed strange to me that it's open like that. Might see if there is a cover for it. But first things first. Need to replace all the frost plugs.

 

Yes there is an inspection cover that covers that.

 

Automotive assembly engineer here.

When an engine is married to a transmissions, the 'vows' (hah) are made outside the car body, typically by flying in the transmission on a hoist, or landing it on a slide tray, and running it onto the alignment pins press fit into the bellhousing bolt pattern on the engine.

If you are smart, at this time you stick a little pin in one of the torque converter holes and line it up with the bottom hole in the flexplate so that the holes stay lined up during marriage. Shoot the bolts, and now the transmission is bolted to the engine. However, you will transfer no power until you bolt the flexplate to the transmission. This is done by rotating the crank of the car via the front of the engine, and putting bolts in around the flexplate. We typically do that outside of the car, but we can do it inside the car, and so can the consumer.

Once that is done, a plastic or metal dust cover is put on.

For manuals, there is no bolting, there is just spring tension holding the clutch against the flywheel, which also makes assembly fun. Once marriage happens, a dust cover with a hole for clutch dust to fall out, is fitted.

Edit: I realize most people know this already.

 

Yah, someone probably changed out a starter decades ago and was too lazy and trifling to put a few screws back... or they lost them in the grass or gravel while they were laying on their back under the car.

"Aon't need this. Wha'dey put this thing in the way for anyhow?"

Don't you just love coming behind a redneck Einstein and fixing what he fixed?🙂

 

Indeed. Back in high school my 1970 Supreme (sans cover) was often used for backwoods camping trips. One time while driving across a meadow to our wooded spot, the engine bogged down heavily, enough to bring the car to a stop. Got out and looked under the car to find that a pine branch had kicked up and wedged between the flex plate and the block. I was quite surprised that was enough to stop the engine.

 

At low rpm and some load, that engine was probably manifesting about "tighten lug bolt" torque. I could imagine a branch wedging me to a stop torquing on a lug nut.

 

I've watched a couple of my cousins spend an hour or so out in the back forty cutting and unwinding baling rope &/or wire from driveshafts on their pickup trucks. Stuff happens when you least expect it.

 

My cover is sitting on the shelf. Since 2006. After the headers cooked two factory starters. I think it keeps torque convert cooler at high speed also. I do not go off road. No problems so far.


DSCF0698

 

We have a lot of gravel here. Almost all mine are cracked, more than likely from stones thrown on them. As the mounts get broken, they can fall right off.