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Flex Plate For 225 Dauntless

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by masonmoa, Mar 5, 2023.

  1. Mar 5, 2023
    masonmoa

    masonmoa New Member

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    I'm trying to figure why all the flex plates my buddy and I have ordered for my 225 Dauntless aren't working. I've ordered from TA Performance, he's ordered 4 or 5 from other shops and called Jeepsterman. I've reached out to Novak and even the one they said would work didn't. Problem is the center hole and bolt pattern have all been wrong. Bolt patter should be evenly spaced like the flywheel, but instead the flex plates bolt patterns were uneven.

    Motor is from a 67 CJ5 my ex-wife's uncle bought brand new off the lot and we inherited. Had it rebuilt a few years ago. I didn't fit in the CJ5, I'm 6'5, and it wasn't in best shape, so turned it into a crawler project. I bought a CJ6 tub, keeping the front clip and motor of CJ5 and putting it all together on top of an 06 LJ frame. And I've got new 700r4 transmission and Atlas transfer case.

    My buddy who's helping me with the engine/tranny stuff can't figure it out. He thinks it's not the original 225, but I'm about 99% sure it is. I can't ask the uncle, cuz well, he's no longer with us. So this is my hail Mary hoping somebody can help. Thanks.
     
  2. Mar 6, 2023
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    The Dauntless uses an uneven bolt pattern, I believe that you have something else.
     
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  3. Mar 6, 2023
    vtxtasy

    vtxtasy oldbee 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

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    Only bolts up one way. With you on uneven. Turn it till it fits. Operator error?
     
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  4. Mar 6, 2023
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    The flexplate center hole should be a close fit on the crankshaft, and the bolt pattern looks evenly spaced until you look really close. Two bolt holes are slightly closer together than the rest. Set the flexplate on the crank and rotate it around to see if there is one (and only one) place where all the bolts match the threaded holes in the crank. This is all assuming you actually have a 225 odd-fire Buick/Jeep engine.
    -Donny
     
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  5. Mar 6, 2023
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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  6. Mar 6, 2023
    masonmoa

    masonmoa New Member

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    Between me and y'all, I was thinking it's user error by my buddy who's helping me with this part of the build b/c he's got a shop and lift at his house. But it's 45 minutes away and I ain't had time recently to go check myself. Just been listening to him complain on the phone or text.

    It's a Dauntless. Every part I've bought for it, including the clutch I installed after the rebuild, has been for a Dauntless.

    I just passed this info to him. Thanks again, and I'll report back when I know more.
     
  7. Mar 6, 2023
    masonmoa

    masonmoa New Member

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    Ok, he tried again, and 2 flex plates he's got that are supposed to fit still don't line up. Old fly wheel does tho.

    Confirmed it's a Dauntless. Casting number ended with 81623. There's also a GM stamp.

    Here's a pic from when we pulled it.

    IMAG0846.jpeg
     
  8. Mar 6, 2023
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Are these new flex plates? What search criteria are you using? The dauntless flywheel bolts up even way up into the even fire years.
    I'd look for a flexplate using criteria for a Commando with the Dauntless and 400 auto 65-71 ( which is the GM ST400 with the old Buick nailhead pattern hence the iron adapter ring that converts the pattern and makes up for the nailheads deeper skirt)
     
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  9. Mar 11, 2023
    masonmoa

    masonmoa New Member

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    Well, thought we found the right one and TA Performance sent the wrong one again. I don’t get it, but still haven’t had to time to go look myself.

    And ya, all new flex plates that we’ve ordered. Going to take your advice and look for Commando/Jeepster ones.
     
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  10. Mar 11, 2023
    vtxtasy

    vtxtasy oldbee 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

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    I am very surprised that TA Performance didn't have the correct one as they have done V6's for years. It seems like one from a 300 up to 350 would work I saw some with an extra hole
    but these may be stock photos sometimes used to have a pic. Good luck and keep us posted.
     
  11. Mar 11, 2023
    Jeepsterjim

    Jeepsterjim Member

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    wonder if someone changed out the crank. Could a turbo crank be different?
     
  12. Mar 11, 2023
    vtxtasy

    vtxtasy oldbee 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

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    A turbo would be an even-fire crank. Could be done but with major modifications. I learn best by physically being there and being able to put hands on. He is receiving second hand info from his
    friend .
     
  13. Mar 12, 2023
    Jeepsterjim

    Jeepsterjim Member

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    Buick had turbo 225 V6 motors. below is a pic of a '68 225 turbo skylark. still might not solve the answer to the bolt pattern issue though.
    [​IMG]
     
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  14. Mar 12, 2023
    masonmoa

    masonmoa New Member

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    Thanks for the help. I appreciate it b/c my buddy doing the engine work is sending me texts telling me to buy a new motor, and I ain't doing it. Already paid to have it rebuilt, and it ain't got any miles on it yet. (He got hurt and ain't working, so we're helping each other out since I don't have the time and want to be wheeling this summer)

    Could the problem be that he already bolted on the tranny before installing the flex plate? I don't why he did that, but he did. Like I said, I ain't been out there for a bit and am out of town til Wed, so won't get over there til end of this week.

    So, does anyone know if the flex plate in the pic below is the right one? It's supposed to be, but my buddy has 3 of them that don't work.
    Novak told me the model I need is Z-117, which according to pictures is this one, which is the ones we already have.

    IMG_8481.jpeg

    PartsMike shows this one, model G106 as the right one, but out of stock. Thing is, this looks like Z-111, which Novak said is for even fire Buicks.

    Screenshot 2023-03-12 at 11.59.31 AM.png
     
  15. Mar 12, 2023
    vtxtasy

    vtxtasy oldbee 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

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    I am not sure how easy it would be to tell if the flex plate bolts line up with the crank while the transmission is installed. I also question why.
    It is much easier to install and check the bolt alignment when seen dead on and turn the flywheel/flexplate one hole at a time and check.
     
  16. Mar 12, 2023
    Oldpappy

    Oldpappy A.C. Fults - Curmudgeon at large 2022 Sponsor

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    "Could the problem be that he already bolted on the tranny before installing the flex plate?"

    IF he already bolted on the transmission, how could he possibly know whether the flex plate fits or not??

    The picture of the engine after you pulled it shows the heavy flywheel of a Dauntless, which was balanced to smooth out the rough running of the engine.

    That balanced flywheel has to be correctly positioned which is why the bolt holes are uneven, as are the holes in the smaller picture from PartsMike.

    The larger picture shows a flywheel with evenly spaced bolt holes, and that won't fit an odd fire crankshaft.
     
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  17. Mar 12, 2023
    masonmoa

    masonmoa New Member

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    I know! I have no clue why he did that and I'm a little annoyed he did. He might've been drunk, or hungover, when he made that decision without running it by me first.

    He said he could access it from underneath since he's got a lift, but like you said, he can't actually see if it lines up now.

    I'll keep you posted. Might be a few days since I can't get out there til Thu or Fri.

    I'm not getting a new engine either.
     
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  18. Mar 12, 2023
    Oldpappy

    Oldpappy A.C. Fults - Curmudgeon at large 2022 Sponsor

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    There is no way to install a flex plate with the transmission already bolted to the engine, lift or not.
     
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  19. Mar 12, 2023
    68BuickV6

    68BuickV6 Well-Known Member

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    I'd pay to see someone correctly install the flywheel to an engine with the trans bolted. I'd be impressed.

    Edit: Should have said flexplate!
     
    Last edited: Mar 14, 2023
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  20. Mar 12, 2023
    vtxtasy

    vtxtasy oldbee 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

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    Good one! Interesting though as from what I can find, the 225 was discontinued from Buick in 1967. Not saying it didn't happen. That looks like like a later model turbo.
     
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2023
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