Flex plate interference
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 4
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From: FL
Flex plate interference
Greeting, I am a new member here to Club Lexus. I have a problem that seems to be unique. I am swapping a 3UZ in to my 1980 HJ45 Toyota Land Cruiser. I purchased a JDM 3UZ engine, it did not come with a flex plate. I have purchased a couple of flex plates that are specified for this engine but they are too tall and will not let the started gear extend out and engage the flex plate. I don't see anyway to adjust the starter position. Has anyone seen or heard of this problem before?
What am I missing? Can you adjust the starter position, am I purchasing the wrong flex plate, do I need a different gear on the starter? Any help will be appreciated.
Orlandocav
What am I missing? Can you adjust the starter position, am I purchasing the wrong flex plate, do I need a different gear on the starter? Any help will be appreciated.
Orlandocav
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 26,094
Likes: 4,347
From: Alberta
Only other thing I can think of is there are bell housing differences but I have not seen this on a Toyota/Lexus transmission meaning a particular unit or even series uses the same bell housing.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: FL
Just to close out the thread. I finally went to a Lexus dealer but they are pretty limited on their knowledge at the parts department. I then went to Advanced auto body and they were a big help. We checked different year starters and they were able to let me look at the different starters. We finally came upon a reconditioned OEM starter and it's distance between the mounting bolt holes and the rotor shaft center line was a about a 3mm smaller than the starter in my engine. Changed it out and it started right up.
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: ON/NY
Just to close out the thread. I finally went to a Lexus dealer but they are pretty limited on their knowledge at the parts department. I then went to Advanced auto body and they were a big help. We checked different year starters and they were able to let me look at the different starters. We finally came upon a reconditioned OEM starter and it's distance between the mounting bolt holes and the rotor shaft center line was a about a 3mm smaller than the starter in my engine. Changed it out and it started right up.
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