thread locker on flex plate & torque converter bolts

[Sport/Truck]

I'm getting ready to install my motor and need to attach the flex plate. I have the factory torque specs, but it says to use thread locker. Do I use red or blue? I plan on installing this as a unit and will bolt up the TC when it's in the truck.
Any ideas on how to hold the flex plate while torquing the bolts?
s/t

[caminokid]

I use red.

[Green Machine]

And a vote for blue loctite here - I always install the flywheel/flexplate right afer I remove it from the engine stand, while hanging on the chain. You will need a helper, butt just put a bolt in one of the block bellhousing holes and use a big screwdriver in the teeth to hold it. Yes they make a tool that will hold it, but for occasional use not worth it in my cheap opinion.

[Sport/Truck]

So one red one blue...
It sort of scares me to use red....I don't like the idea of having permanent lock tight on the bolts.

I ended up putting it back on the stand, as I need to get some lock washers to do this right. The ones that were on it are the external star washers and two have a crack in them. Are split style washers out of the question? What do you use?
s/t

[GREASEMONKEY72]

if it scares you to use red then just use blue and the split lock washers will work

[Sport/Truck]

Originally Posted by GREASEMONKEY72

if it scares you to use red then just use blue and the split lock washers will work

As long as it can be removed is my only concern. I guess an impact will get them out? I don't want to use a ton of heat to remove them.

Is there a clearance issue that need to be looked at? Some of the split washers can be quite thick.
s/t

[Billla]

The flexplate bolts have star washers; I never put threadlocker on myself.

One of these really helps, otherwise just a prybar.

[Sport/Truck]

Originally Posted by Billla

The flexplate bolts have star washers; I never put threadlocker on myself.

One of these really helps, otherwise just a prybar.

I'm assuming those star washers are hardened? Can they be had any auto parts store?
s/t

[Jtrux]

I used RED on both my 71 blazer's flywheel and pressure plate and my 79 ford's flywheel and pressure plate. A year after putting the motor in the blazer I yanked it back out and the bolts came out without issues. No heat or anything like that.

[Sport/Truck]

Originally Posted by Jtrux

I used RED on both my 71 blazer's flywheel and pressure plate and my 79 ford's flywheel and pressure plate. A year after putting the motor in the blazer I yanked it back out and the bolts came out without issues. No heat or anything like that.

Thats good to hear.
Thanks.
s/t

[Green Machine]

I never used to use anything on the bolts and have never had anything come loose. When We did our first one piece rear main crankshaft motor it appeared to have blue loctite on the bolts. Never seen any loctite on the older engines.

Since the bolt pattern is smaller on the new cranks maybe GM was just playing it safe. Is loctite needed ? Probably not, but if you will feel better - do it, won't hurt anything.

[Billla]

Originally Posted by Sport/Truck

I'm assuming those star washers are hardened? Can they be had any auto parts store?
s/t

They should have come with them (ARP do, and the stock bolts do). They don't need to be hardened, but you can use Grade 8 ones if you want to

[Sport/Truck]

Originally Posted by Billla

They should have come with them (ARP do, and the stock bolts do). They don't need to be hardened, but you can use Grade 8 ones if you want to

I plan on reusing my original bolts.....but we will see what happens with the washers.
s/t

[truckdude239]

i would never use red lock tite because you have to heat the red to get it out. personally i have done the last4 motor swaps on 4 different vehicles all of them had star washers on them never used anything on the bolt never had a problem. just torque to factory specs

[special-K]

This thread needs locked!!...with blue.I never use any.I don`t think the factory did.

[cdowns]

i've always used blue for the simple fact that buildind stuff i've always got some on the shelf and it made sence to use it

[bigsnookmaster]

Buy new bolts and star washers and torque to specs and you will never have a problem.

[Sport/Truck]

I called around for new star washers (local GM performance dealer, NAPA etc.)
I stopped by the local bolt co. and got some, but they are weak compared to the ones that came off. (I could start to bend them with my fingers and needle nose pliers, but not with the original ones).

The guy at GM said all the newer cars are eliminating the washers and using lock-tight.
Should I just leave them off and use some lock tight? Is this common?
s/t