Due to the difficulty of finding replacement ring gears at a reasonable price for the Mazda auto tx flex plate I suggest we use the current flex plate and merely tig weld the damper to it. Your current starter is sure to still fit and work.

I was quoted ring gears $95 each from a company in NZ with $95 shipping by boat. No telling how long that would take.

Mark Steitle brought up the issue of room for a thrust bearing between Tracy's spline flange (brown in the 3D) and the PSRU adapter plate. Simple solution. Reverse it.

That gives more than enough room for a thrust bearing.

Here are the 3D's.

Some of the 2nd gen current flex plates have large holes near the center that weaken them. The solution is tig weld in a plug. The 3rd gen did away with the holes.

I just bought a 13B auto tyranny flex plate on ebay for $12. Shipping and handling was $30 :)

Lots on ebay for $50.

Paul Lamar

Just a thought, the ring gear can be easily cut from an existing flex plate, welded to new one. easier than cutting many plugs and welding them into the old plate. C. Smith

That would add about $150 to the cost as there is labor involved cutting off the ring gear and making and entirely new flex plate. If that is OK for everybody I will do it that way. The plugs would be NC laser cut out of 4130 scrap.


My guess on the cost right now is $250 +- $50

Paul Lamar




Paul,

I have a ring gear that I separated from a cracked flex plate.
Let me know
if you want me to send it.

FWIW, these are fairly easy to remove,  There are a few short welds that must be ground off and then you can tap them a little at a time, going around the perimeter and get them apart.  A little heat and the ring would probably fall off on its own.

My thoughts regarding the welding... we need to be very careful so as to not to cause warpage.  I believe they should first be tacked multiple spots around the circumference, then welded a short distance, move across to the other side, and weld a short distance, then move back and repeat the process, keeping the heat even.  And they still may warp. A small amount of runout will cause the flex plate to eventually crack.  Been there, done that.

Mark S.

Ye4s I want it.

Three options in order of cost.
A Weld to existing flex plates
B Find a new ring gear and buy it. Weld a new flex plate.
C Remove ring gear for flex plates and weld up new flex plate.

Vote :)

Paul Lamar

A-Tig?
Marc


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