purpose of 4age backing plates

[l1ttle_d3vil]

what is the purpose of having a backing plate between the engine and gearbox? is it basically so stones and stuff don't flick up into the flywheel etc?

it obviously isn't for WOF/CERT issues. I have a fwd one on my t50/4age so bottom of the flywheel is exposed. ive passed cert/wofs not a problem. is this an issue or not? I've got a rwd one sitting in the shed but is it worth it to pull the gearbox off just for the sake of the backing plate?

[Crucible]

is it basically so stones and stuff don't flick up into the flywheel etc?

Yeah thats pretty much it, It isnt a w.o.f issue at all, I wouldnt worry about it at all...

[Jebus]

And to stop dust etc getting in and $&#$% your seals, what you can do, as I have done is use a FWD one, and get a thin piece of tin/steel and cut one to the shape of the bottom of the bell to butt up with the FWD one and bolt it with the empty holes on the bellhousing, works a treat.

[KinLoud]

The main function of the backing plate between the gearbox and the engine (apart from keeping crap out of the clutch) is to correctly locate the starter motor. The plate fits tightly over the dowels that centre the bellhousing on the crankshaft and the starter fits tightly into the large cutout, then the starter bolts hold it tight in it's correct position.

Ken
Ham
021 408 863

[opticalblue]

it would be good to put a backing plate in as ive been told by the product manager of exedy australia in a training secession that the clutch itself in operation creats a vacumn thats why when doing a clutch you should always clean out the inside of the bellhousing....