SFI budget flexplate 455 Buick

[BignastyGS]

I recently bought a SFI rated flexplate from Ebay and received it the night before last.Since my wife is also going to race my 70 Skylark with a 455 in it,I decided to take the safe route and used some SFI pieces that are not necessarily needed for my carfor the times it "should" run .I am hoping to see 12 second passes and after seeing things like Bobb Makleys car,Nightmare and others,I decided to "overbuild" my car for safety reasons. My wife has never raced before but I have,so the safety factor is more for her favor. I put a flexplate shield on as well and decided since I am putting in a stall convertor, I'd like to check out a flexplate swap while doing the convertor swap.Problem is as we all know it,SFI parts aren't cheap for a Buick. I was searching all over the place when I stumbled across ones that were being sold on Ebay by seller perfectcrank. (I know, I know, funny name)Anyways, I contacted them and asked a few pertinent questions. I received some good replies and took a chance on getting one. In all,I have less than 50 bucks into it including shipping from California to Pa. Upon opening the well packaged part, I was impressed at the weight (9 lbs)It bugged me laying on the floor while I was online enough to take it to the garage and try to bolt it on a 455. I had read on other sites the bolt pattern wasn't correct on a different brand,so I had to see. Again, it went perfectly on my 462 ans everything matched up perfectly.I know TA sells SFI ones for 99 bucks,but I am trying to get in the 12's as cheap as possible.I will not skimp on parts to save a buck and if it needs more expensive stuff,so be it. These are produced by a company called CAT Power Engine parts in California. Here is the Ebay auction that I purchased it from It has more details about them on it. They have plenty of these in stock and will take submit best offer on Ebay Price was $49.73 total.I think I will purchase another spare after the holidays to keep for my 462 motor when I ever have enough cash to get it going again.
SFI 70 - 76 BUICK 455 FLEXPLATE Item number: 8012875843

[71stage1conv]

Don't you need to have the rotating assembly balanced with the flexplate?

I had bought one of the ebay flexplates, only later found out it had the wrong bolt pattern (BBC). The guy was in the LA area, did refund my money, so I was only out shipping.

I ended out balancing it with a standard flexplate, isn't too late for me to change to the sfi (without rebalancing)?

[71stage1conv]

That's the guy. When I posted a pict of the flexplate 3 yrs ago, some guys mentioned that there was quite a distance between the welds holding the teeth. It looked better than the stock plate to me though.... I see the guy now states you must return it within 30 days.

[jamyers]

Have you compared it to your old flexplate to confirm the bolt pattern?

(I looked at the seller, they don't currently have any Buick parts listed on ebay.)

[BignastyGS]

I compared this one against the stock unit and the welds seem alot better than stock pieces and it went on like a stock piece. I bolted every bolt in since I know you can move it around and get a couple and not the other bolts.I am not positive that it needs balanced for each motor,but The weight on it seems to be in the same area as a stock unit. Time will tell if it needs balanced. I know 10sec350 on V8 stated he has 3 of them and never had problems as well.
Pat

[71stage1conv]

with it coming apart. The states it has been tested to 12,500 rpm. I'd like to get one too, but not if it is going to toss off my balance. I'll ask my engine guy whenever I get over there next (assuming Jim B or someone doesn't post an answer).

[jamyers]

I'd think you'd be able to take your old one and have the new one balanced/weighted the same as it, and be good to go.

[71stage1conv]

I believe they rotate the crank with the flexplate on, and the computer tells them where and how much metal to remove. Now the pistons & rod asm all just get weighed. That is how I understand it, and my very well be wrong (it has certainly happened in the past! ).

I'll check with my engine guy once I finally get over there...

[jamyers]

It's a good question, and I could well be wrong too - any of you engine-building gurus got an opinion?

[10sec 455]

Guys
You can take your stock flexplate that your engine was balanced with to the machine shop and they will match balance your new one to the old.

[BillMah52]

Guys
You can take your stock flexplate that your engine was balanced with to the machine shop and they will match balance your new one to the old.

Posilutely!! Correctimundo.