I posted this in my swap build thread, but thought it might get a little more exposure out here.

I just got my 3.4 bolted in last night and proceeeded with many hours of work today when I noticed that I forgot to transfer the steel plate that goes between the engine and transmission to the 3.4 from the 3.0.

I really don't want to have to pull the motor to put this plate in there if I can live without it. What purpose(s) does it serve other than spacering out the trans for the inspection plate lower half? Does it support the starter? Will not having it in there create a preload on the clutch or something?

 

Wasn't needed on Tacomas or 3rd gen + 4Runners, at least on the autos. My donor didn't have bolt holes to install them to the tranny, so I threw mine out.

 

Bumpity

 

Ok, I thought your were talking about the stiffener plates that bolt onto the block and bellhousing. Different issue.

Not having the rear end plate installed won't have any effect on the clutch itself. However, the input shaft will now be about .079" deeper into the pilot bearing and you do not want it pushing axially against the inner race. I'd put the plate back in and check the pilot bearing to make sure you didn't damage it.

 

Only about?

Jeez, I expect more accuracy from you than that.

 

Ok thanks. Yeah I pretty much decided last night that who am I to question Toyota Engineering and say if a part is needed or not. I'm going to take it all apart to put it back together again.

Do you think I can get away with not using the bolt that holds the plate to the engine block? This way I can just split things apart a few inches and insert the plate, vs having to pull engine completely out and remove clutch, flywheel, etc.?

 

Just looked over my engine rebuild pics and that screw is just there to secure the plate for engine reinstallation. I don't think it matters if its there or not, so you should be good to just slip the plate in there without removing the tranny.

Sorry I couldn't be more accurate with the plate thickness. My 50 millionths mics are all at work and I just grabbed some calipers from the garage to check a spare inspection plate

 

Thanks, that makes me feel better about slipping it in there. I thought that was what the screw was for, but you never know. I figured if it were meant to be structural, Toyota would have had atleast 2 screws and not the one.

 

Alright, so it is academic. That plate can be put in without completely removing the motor. I just spread the two about an inch apart while inserting those guide bolts that I had made for inserting the engine. Once they were apart I supported the trans with a jack, took out the guide bolts slipped in the plate, re-inserted guide bolts, pushed combo back together, bolted her all back up. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be and I feel alot better now knowing I did the right thing.

Thanks everyone for the support on this one.

Oh and for the record I analyzed the strengh/purpose of the plate. It looks to be:

1. a spacer for the inspection plate
2. in fills in all of the holes around the starter so no dust will get in there
3. supports the starter face to bellhousing connection so the starter doesn't yaw side-to-side when engaged to start the motor.
4. overall splash shield for the bellhousing.

 

Is this the plate that is on the bottom half of the bellhousing if so my bolt holes don't line up.thanks

 

Try loosen the bracket that bolt on the engine block. I attached the plate to the brackets with the bolts loosen.

 

does any one have any pictures as to where the plate i have needs to go. i thought it was an inspection plate due to the small rectangular opening. does this plate need to be on top

 

x2 on a picture. I think I need the same part.

 

There are stiffener brackets that bolt to the sides of the engine and the bellhousing, then there's the "Flywheel Cover" (that I think is being called a "stiffener plate" incorrectly in this thread) that bolts between the block and the bottom of the bellhousing to keep debris out of the bellhousing.

For pictures of the the Flywheel Cover see this post: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f160...l#post52211158

 

Thank you. I called around enough today to figure this out. It's also referred to as the "transmission block plate."

Here's a pic of the one I just got for my 86' 4runner. Later years had it split, with the bottom half-moon referred to as the "inspection plate."

Hope this helps.

 

it keeps the garbage/water/oil out of the inner bellhousing.