Poundz9oh9 Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 getting ready to start bolting up my 78 5 speed transmission to my 77 after pulling the auto. I noticed on all the swap threads I can find, it suggest getting the backing plate from a manual setup to replace to one from the auto setup. But my question is ... what's the exact difference between the two? Can I trim the auto one in any way to make it fit the manual setup? Any info is appreciated guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Bottom half of the autobox plate is unboltable (from the autobox) to access the flex plate to torque converter bolt removal/installation.The manual version is a complete over to keep dust and dirt from getting in onto pressure plate components... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poundz9oh9 Posted September 30, 2012 Author Share Posted September 30, 2012 Gotcha, now not ever seeing them side by side myself or even being able to find any pictures to look at, is that the only difference? If that's the case then in theory I could just re-use the two piece auto one and it would still work for the manual set up yes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozconnection Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 (edited) Gotcha, now not ever seeing them side by side myself or even being able to find any pictures to look at, is that the only difference? If that's the case then in theory I could just re-use the two piece auto one and it would still work for the manual set up yes? You'll have no problem using the auto backing plate on your manual shift engine. In fact there are advantages in using this combination of parts. You can grease your starter ring gear easily, inspect your rear main oil seal easily (if you suspect an oil leak from here) and even set up a flywheel based ignition timing setup. Easily. I've never had problems with dirt either. Edited October 1, 2012 by ozconnection Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poundz9oh9 Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 Awesome, good info! .... I definitely will roll with what i've got then .. I just didn't want to get into a position to have everything bolted up and then find out later something wasn't going to work. Thanks for the help guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Grease your starter ring gear? Wheres the FSM interval for that? Depending where you drive will be dependent on your dirt accumulation. I don't think the greasing will aid in longevity with dirt in there, seems to me that's how you make valve grinding compound! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gollum Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Agreed there tony! I'd rather keep that area grease FREE, as keeping it open with no lower half will just be inviting dirt to cling to anything sticky. But to the OP ~ I wouldn't let a backing plate stop me from finishing a swap, that's for damn sure. Most of us pull our engines every 30-50k anyways, at which point I wouldn't be too worried about dirt build up in that amount of time unless I was planning on going off-road, or driving on roads that get snow. Neither of which are of huge concern to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poundz9oh9 Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 Oooooooh by no means was it going to stop me, I just wanted to make sure I want missing anything. I HATE getting to a point in a project when I'm at a standstill waiting for a part that I hadn't thought about until it was too late. Thanks again for the help guys, saved me a little cash probably .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 Here's another reason to use ANY plate: It's 2mm thick or maybe 3mm. You don't have that in there spacing your tranny off the back of the engine, the throw out collar can have issues with releasing / not releasing! Autobox & Manual are the same thickness... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozconnection Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 (edited) Yep, sorry, I was wrong. I have used a small dab on the ring gear in the past but the risk of using it and causing clutch problems is real. I NEVER run without the lower plate in situ. The bell housing area pretty much sealed up when it's on and dirt ingress is mininal, if at all. Edited October 2, 2012 by ozconnection Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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