351 Cleveland flex plate
Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: Powertrain Specific Forum
Forum Name: Transmissions
Forum Description: For discussion relating to all Ford Transmissions
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=18132
Printed Date: 26-March-2026 at 5:43PM
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Topic: 351 Cleveland flex plate
Posted By: Gold73
Subject: 351 Cleveland flex plate
Date Posted: 24-June-2019 at 11:32AM
| What flex plate/ flywheel should be used when mating an AOD behind a A code 351 Cleveland? |
Replies:
Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 24-June-2019 at 1:38PM
|
A is the 5th digit of the VIN, or is that the 2nd digit for Atlanta assy? there'll be a script F that doesn't count as a digit, then the first digit is a number for the year of the decade for the model year production 2nd digit will be a letter for assy plant, A is common for Atlanta 3rd and 4th digits will be numbers for the body code 5th digit will be a letter for the engine code, off the top of my head 351C codes are M, Q, and H H is used for both 351C-2V and 351W-2V up until 1974 then from 1975 on H is used for both 351W-2V and 351M-2V 351M-2V ====================== AOD uses a 14.23" diameter 164 tooth flex with correct weight for the engine. IIRC all 351's use a 28oz imbalance. the converter bolt pattern must also match the converter. my favorite website for flexplate info has been updated and blown to   https://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/ i can't even find a link to the flexplate section but put AOD flex in the search and it pulls some up. you may need to use FMX for the search to get the correct 28oz weight b/c i'm pretty sure F209 is a 50oz'er. late model 302 / 5.0 went to 50oz and F209 covers that application so IDT it's the right one. ------------- 72 GT Ute |
Posted By: Gold73
Date Posted: 24-June-2019 at 2:03PM
| I meant to put Q code 351 Cleveland. Sorry. Yes from all the research I’ve done the 28 oz 164 tooth plate is right. I just didn’t know if there is a special plate with those specs that is drilled for the AOD drain plug hole. |
Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 24-June-2019 at 3:57PM
|
when i swapped an AOD for an FMX in my car with a 351W only difference i noticed comparing the 2 flex plates was that the drain plug was on the opposite side of the stud. and i had to swap front yokes on the drivelines... ------------- JOHN 74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 24-June-2019 at 4:08PM
|
drilling the hole yourself if need be is no big deal ------------- 72 GT Ute |
Posted By: Gold73
Date Posted: 25-June-2019 at 1:16AM
| Won’t drilling a hole in the flex plate take it out of balance? |
Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 25-June-2019 at 12:51PM
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i like to think the plug offsets the metal removed from the plate. ------------- 72 GT Ute |
Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 25-June-2019 at 2:15PM
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yeah it should. and drilling on the other side of that same stud shouldn't make much if any difference in the balance since it's counterbalanced opposite that....
------------- JOHN 74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
Posted By: handsofstone
Date Posted: 25-June-2019 at 6:16PM
| When I worked at Aamco, we had a bench for draining the torque converters. I believe all Fords were drilled already. There was a drill press to drill and tap for an 1/8" npt brass plug that ended up pretty much flush with the face of the converter. I would just replace the factory plug with a brass plug and avoid any drilling if they don't line up. The plugs were allen type and would be easy to remove by sliding the conveeter back into the pump and using an allen wrench that is cut short to fit between the flex plate and the converter. If I remember correctly there is almost a half inch of wiggle room. |
Posted By: Big Bird
Date Posted: 26-June-2019 at 8:20AM
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I used an AOD flexplate with my FMX, Don't think there was an issue with the drain plug.... 302, but '86 HO so I needed a late flex to work with the engine balance. ------------- "What we do in full frontal view, is more honest than your cleaned-up mind." Randy 1979 T-Bird 2005 F-150 STX RCSB 4.6, 3.55 LSD How the Heck does a REGULAR CAB SHORTBED weigh over 5200 pounds? |
Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 26-June-2019 at 12:05PM
|
my experience too, AOD & FMX are the same except for weight. also, i've swapped out an FMX for a C6 on 2 different cars and use the FMX plate no issues. some drain plugs are center between the studs and some are adjacent, then plenty have none at all. ------------- 72 GT Ute |
Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 26-June-2019 at 6:38PM
|
hmm, interesting... maybe that's why the drain plug was opposite so you cant use the 28 vs 50 balance flex plate with the wrong crank?? so like john suggested the allen wrench plug for clearance you could use the cleveland flex plate with the newer AOD...? ------------- JOHN 74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |