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This is very relevant to me, as the RD1 that I acquired is missing this package. My plan was to find a Ford C6 tranny, from which I would harvest the connecting component, then figure out a way to connect it via a piece of aluminum stock bolted to the said
flex plate from a salvage yard.
I’m definitely open to suggestions.
On Jan 9, 2025, at 8:32 PM, Stephen Izett stephen.izett@gmail.com <flyrotary@lancaironline.net> wrote:
Hi M
I was wondering the same thing.
What I discovered first of all was that flex plates are designed to flex (funny that) and cracking is not limited to our setup.
There are companies that specialise in stronger flex plates, particularly for modified and higher horsepower engines.
Since our engines are being used at a higher horsepower per unit time and therefore higher stress (assumption) perhaps our setup could be likened to race applications.
But then our hours of use would be significantly lower (assumption) than an average vehicle, but perhaps not a race application.
Is the cracking we are seeing consistent with race applications? But they dont race automatics, do they?
So my take on this is that perhaps the flexing of the plate in our setup is to some extent higher than OEM.
Our options seem to be:
1. Replacing the OEM flex plate with a stronger part. Steve B being the latest going down that track and in his case also removing the rubber isolation in the process.
2. Connect direct to the eccentric shaft and therefore taking the stress off the Flex Plate doing away with the damping mechanism which Tracy did, and perhaps is still doing. Would be real nice to know.
Like M, I would appreciate hearing what others know or are thinking or doing.
Steve Izett
On 10 Jan 2025, at 2:15 am, Marc Wiese cardmarc@charter.net <flyrotary@lancaironline.net> wrote:
Has the cause of these cracks been uncovered, and if so, what is the current thinking on it? An AL racing plate?
M
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 9, 2025, at 1:31 AM, Steven W. Boese SBoese@uwyo.edu <flyrotary@lancaironline.net> wrote:
Steve,
I didn’t see the cracks prior to disassembly and doubt that they could have been seen on the counterweight side very well -if at all- when assembled.
I replaced the Flexplate with a steel flywheel about a year ago. Since then, I replaced the four rubber dampers with machined aluminum discs giving a solid connection and then dynamically balanced the system. This was done because
maintaining a dynamic balance wasn’t possible with the dampers. Only a few hours of flight have occurred in this configuration so far and there has been no indication of problems resulting from this change.
Steve Boese
On Jan 8, 2025, at 11:03 PM, Stephen Izett stephen.izett@gmail.com <flyrotary@lancaironline.net> wrote:
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Hi Steve
Is this recent then?
I’m not able to get to my aircraft at present to check my flex plate which has probably seen 50 hours of service.
Was it possible to see these cracks assembled?
I would appreciate your reflections on Tracys latter choice to remove the damper, and particularly when using a timber/glass prop such as an MT.
It would be great to have an update and current info from Tracy regarding his no damper hours if anyone can contact him.
Very helpful, thanks again Steve
Steve
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