The truck in question is a 1987 Dodge Raider ... this truck is an Automatic.

This truck was bought used last summer, ... it drove around for about a month hassle free, ... then just made a loud thunk and quit, ...

The "plate" that came out of it looks like this:



None of the parts that have shown up to date look anything like this one.

Has anybody ever seen the core torn out like that, ... the smaller wheel in the picture being the centre of the larger one, ... it looks like it literally tore right out.

ALL THOUGHTS APPRECIATED.

Thanks, ...

Thats a flex plate.

Autos have flex plates to connect the crank to the torque converter, and provide the starter a means to move the engine.

Manuals have a FLYWHEEL, clutch disk, and a pressure plate.

The flywheel bolts to the crank, and has the gears for the starter.
The Clutch disk is splined onto the transmission input shaft, and is Sandwhiched Between
The Pressure Plate which Bolts to the flywheel.

The SAME exact thing happend to the flexplate on my Honda Accord. Just a funny vibration one day and the next it just goes PLINK and nothing..



Just spins right on there <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

For that to have happened itÆs possible that the bell housing was out of alignment. This could happen from loose bell housing bolts, warped torque converter flange, or a missing centering pilot on the converter.

There are two pieces that hold the flex plate into place. Once is shown in the picture and the other is a thinner stamped piece that is on the opposite side. Also if the engine has ever been changed and the donor crankshaft was from a Caravan there will be a pilot press fit into the crank flange. Make sure you donÆt have one in your crankshaft.

The Adaptor is PN MD020982 (shown in your pictures).
The drive plate is MD952195 (Smaller, not shown in your pictures).
The drive plate adaptor MD700875 (large broken piece).

Those are the parts numbers for an 1988 four speed auto and should be the same as your 1987.

Kevin

Actually, ...

The torque converter was actually broken, ... we had to find a new one, ... the one that came out could not be rebuilt. The starter was also shot.

Parts from a Caravan, ... Hmmm. Could that be the demon we seek?

All your thoughts are appreciated, and then some.

Make sure any dowels that align the bell housing of the transmission to the engine block are all there, and not missing. Any misalignment from damaged or missing dowels can add to flex plate woes as well as damage the trans oil pump due to bearing or bushing stress from misalignment.