[JSPONT]

I have a 70 Lemans, turbo charged. I am in the middle of a tranny change.
I have 3 questions.
1- Do you think a mid plate will help with stock block life.
2- how did you guys mount the plate
3- Aluminum or steel? It is a street car.

Thanks in advance.

[ErikW]

Steel mid plate. Check to make sure your headers do not cross the parting line of the block and trans or they will hit the plate. Just pull your trans put the plate in reinstall the trans and weld in your frame tabs. Not too hard. Don't forget your converter spacers. I'm, of course, assuming you have an automatic. Takes stress off of the block and adds rigidity to the chassis. If you remove the stock mounts you will need some kind of retention device for the front of the engine also. All Pontiac front plate works well or even head plates.

[Robert C.]

Allpontiac Steel Mid Plate comes with two sets of torque converter spacers. It works very well to stabilize a block.

[JSPONT]

Can I use my motor mounts instead of the front plate? Thanks for the reply's. Car has forward facing headers, it is turbo charged, so no header issues

[wreckmastr]

PM sent

[JSPONT]

Originally Posted by wreckmastr

PM sent

Thanks Billy your the best!!

[JSPONT]

Originally Posted by Robert C.

Allpontiac Steel Mid Plate comes with two sets of torque converter spacers. It works very well to stabilize a block.

I'll call you tomorrow Thanks!!

[Jack Gifford]

Originally Posted by JSPONT

... Can I use my motor mounts instead of the front plate?...

I think it's wise to use rubber front mounts with a midplate, at least from the standpoint of minimizing block stress. Rigid 4-point mounting places considerable chassis-flex stress on a block.

[GTOGEORGE]

I think that’s a good idea Jack, stock chassis have a habit of flexing specially with gobs of power. In a chassis car solid all the way around! .


GTO George

[GTOGEORGE]

Originally Posted by Robert C.

Allpontiac Steel Mid Plate comes with two sets of torque converter spacers. It works very well to stabilize a block.

Yes but it probably doesn’t come with a crankshaft pilot extention for the converter, he’ll probably have to go to the converter company for that......I’m guessing.
I made my mid plate out of 1/8” steel!

GTO George

[Robert C.]

Remember most phone calls go out west and they are 3 hours behind the East Coast time.

I am on East Coast time. 804 349 0014

[Jim Zeek]

Originally Posted by GTOGEORGE

Yes but it probably doesn’t come with a crankshaft pilot extention for the converter, he’ll probably have to go to the converter company for that......I’m guessing.
I made my mid plate out of 1/8” steel!

GTO George

most convertor guys I talked to said 1/8" is ok. just make sure you use spacers. 1/4" definitely needs extension.

[GTOGEORGE]

Originally Posted by Jim Zeek

most convertor guys I talked to said 1/8" is ok. just make sure you use spacers. 1/4" definitely needs extension.

I was just throwing it out there.


GTO George

[Robert C.]

We tried 1/8 steel and it flexes to much. We use 3/16 steel. It is the front to back motion that you need to worry about. The drive shaft needs to float if does not have end clearance you have it jam in to the trans. That is why you put a added bar on a motor with out motor plates to keep the motor from moving front to back.

[GTOGEORGE]

Originally Posted by Robert C.

We tried 1/8 steel and it flexes to much. We use 3/16 steel. It is the front to back motion that you need to worry about. The drive shaft needs to float if does not have end clearance you have it jam in to the trans. That is why you put a added bar on a motor with out motor plates to keep the motor from moving front to back.

Yes some 1/8” could flex.....I have mine braced so the engine can not move. I would do the same for aluminum, better safe then sorry! My mid plate has been in my car from the beginning....1993!


GTO GEORGE

[cgeise]

longer dowel pins may be needed also --

[JSPONT]

I have the longer dowel pins thanks!!

I spoke to Bob and Frank today, ordered the mid plate. Great guys, cool to talk to!! I'll post some photos when I get this under way!!

[grandville455]

Originally Posted by cgeise

longer dowel pins may be needed also --

Longer Dowel pins for the trans in the block?

[GTOGEORGE]

Originally Posted by grandville455

Longer Dowel pins for the trans in the block?

Yes, mid plate takes up space (between engine and trans) .....pins (in engine) need to stay engaged in trans.



GTO George

[JSPONT]

Originally Posted by grandville455

Longer Dowel pins for the trans in the block?

Yes the mid plate is 3/16, you have to make sure the tranny is in the dowel pins too.