1961 Cadillac Flexplate

[61CAD]

I was hoping to find an expert on this year caddy. I have 61 coupe deville and need to replace the flexplate and flywheel. Found a flywheel out of a 61, but was wondering what year flexplate will bolt up to the crank and flywheel?

I have been told, years prior to 61 are not compatable?

Is this true?

Thanks

Jay

[Glen]

According to the parts book all 1961 â€" 1963 Cadillacs used the same flex plate.  Some 1964 Cadillacs did too but only the ones that use the hydamatic.  Cars with the Turbo hydramatic use a different flywheel. 

Older cars also have a different part number, which means they are not exactly the same.  But it does not mean they can not be made to work.  I can not tell you if the older flex plates will work or not. 

[Doug Smith]

I too have a 1961 and excuse me for sounding like I'm a dumbo, but what exactly is the Flexplate and Flywheel please.
Thanks.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

I too have a 1961 and excuse me for sounding like I'm a dumbo, but what exactly is the Flexplate and Flywheel please.
Thanks.

No such thing as a Dumb Question.

In the case of a Cadillac up to '62 with the Hydramatic, the Flex Plate is the tin circle that couples the Crankshaft to the Fluid Drive.   It is bolted to the back of the Crankshaft, in the centre, and to the Fluid Drive at the outer part of the ring.

And in the case of a TH400 etc, the Flex Plate is lightweight flywheel that does the same thing, but has the Ring Gear around the outside, so that the Starter Motor Bendix can rotate the engine when starting.

In the case of the up to '62, the Ring Gear is part of the Fluid Drive.

A Flywheel, in the normal sense of engines is a term used when referring to a Manual Transmission, and is the heavy round flat lump of steel, or Cast Iron, that the Clutch Pressure Plate bolts to, and sandwiches the Clutch Plate between the two surfaces, transferring power to the transmission.

Bruce.

[61CAD]

According to the parts book all 1961 â€" 1963 Cadillacs used the same flex plate.  Some 1964 Cadillacs did too but only the ones that use the hydamatic.  Cars with the Turbo hydramatic use a different flywheel. 

Older cars also have a different part number, which means they are not exactly the same.  But it does not mean they can not be made to work.  I can not tell you if the older flex plates will work or not. 

Thank you very much!

[Doug Smith]

Thanks for me too....I realize like you said that most questions are not dumb but when you have ZERO knowledge of cars, engines, etc. I sometimes feel like a jackass when reading posts and have no clue where the part is located or what its function is ....so with that said thanks for explaining it.

[quadfins]

Attached is a photo of a 1961 Cadillac flexplate

[Doug Smith]

Great Job !!!