I'v noticed there are 2 different style flex plates on buick 350 engines, and I'm a bit confused... The first one I refer to as the "new style", as I'v seen them exclusively on post 1971 engines. It's the one that has the "taco" shaped cut-outs... Three of them that form a "tri-angle" shape in the center. The other one, the old style, I'v only seen on 68,69, and 70 engines. It has the plumb sized circular cut-outs that go all the way around, with a "solid" center. Now, here's the confusing part, on 68-70 engines, I'v seen both types used. I'v always reguarded the "old" style as the more heavy-duty one, as it has more "meat" on it, and I'v never seen one of these crack, but I have seen several of the "new" ones cracked. What's more, there seems to be no set pattern for the application of the old and new styles on any particular engine... GS, Skylark, 2V, 4V...... It just seems to be "luck of the draw" as to which flex plate an engine received.... Can anyone shed a little light on this?
Darryl - I'm not sure about the when's and why's of the 'taco' style flexplates. But, I do agree with your assessment of the 'older' style being stronger.:TU:
The taco one was on my 67 340 it broke just three real small spots where it went to crank dont ask me why they would use something so flimsy lookin on any engine.
I had a 72 that was cracked and if I remember correct one of Chris lotts cars had a broke flexplate as well.
