Anyone know why my flexplate doesn't fit?

[jeepxj2007]

I have a 95 ford ranger 3.0 going into a 98 ford ranger, the 95 was a manual transmission and the flywheel fits, the flexplate off the 98 doesn't bolt up, the hole patterns are slightly off on a few of the holes...just barely and enough where I can't get all the bolts in...autozone's website shows the 98 and 95 using the same flexplate...and I can't imagine they would make a crank different for manual than an auto...any suggestions?

 

[gatlin04]

dont quote me... but i believe that they are different...

 

[shadetree]

The holes should be "clocked," not evenly spaced. Turn the flexplate and see if there is one position where all the holes line up.shady

 

[jeepxj2007]

lol yeah I felt pretty stupid after I kept turning it and found that they finally fit...lol I got her on...now just trying to get the stupid thing to align with the torque converter...any tricks for that?

 

[Beef52751]

Did you pull the pilot bearing???? it is located inside the crank where the torque converter slides in. Ill tell you from experience that the torque converter WILL NOT go in with that bearing. I learned my lesson
Beef

 

[shadetree]

Also, if you had the converter off the trans, make sure it is all the way back in the trans. Turn the converter, and push it in all at the same time. Normally you will hear two clicks as the converter aligns withe the gears and the tabs on the converter go into the pump. If it is not all the way back, and you try to bolt it up, shame on you, major damage can occur.shady