Has anyone had concerns about the diaper blankets coming in contact with their flexplates or flywheels? I have noticed after putting a J@J on our 540 that it has the tendency to buldge in the back a little too close for comfort.

 

I have it much better than it was, yet still makes me nervous. We have called JW transmissions and asked them if they had plans of building some sort of shield to avoid the blankie running into the flexplate. They said they had not heard such a concern till now.  Thoughts, opinions, anyone?

 Is it possible, or "legal" to modify the blanket in any way without voiding the sfi spec, such as maybe sewing a stiff sort of mesh to the problem area. To limit the amout of bulge. Those blankets are really stiff to begin with, is there a lot slack? Maybe the blanket is not up on the motor far enough. Just guessing.

throttlejunkie wrote:  Is it possible, or "legal" to modify the blanket in any way without voiding the sfi spec, such as maybe sewing a stiff sort of mesh to the problem area. To limit the amout of bulge. Those blankets are really stiff to begin with, is there a lot slack? Maybe the blanket is not up on the motor far enough. Just guessing.

 

 

The blanket cannot be modified any any way unless by the manufacterer. I like your idea, but the blanket does not seem to be made to go around the oil filer which looking at it further is helping this bulge. I have the blanket level to the heads on each side.

 

I hope one of these days belly pans will be a little more common and I can go that route.

most trannys have dust covers , if you are not using one, try to locate one. or one can easily be fabricated , this would  act as a guard between the flex plate and the diaper.
even if you install a belly pan , the diaper is still required.

I had thought of that one already but, we run a JW powerglide. There are no provisions on the bellhousing for a cover yet.. SFI has a fit and so does the manufacturer if you modify without certification. Blah! Good ideas though people much appreciated!

I knew that the starter was going to be a problem so I bought a alum. plate 50th. and made one since that was the specs. for TOP alky. and put a pad Inside. It goes for rail to rail and is held by 4 Deuzs. some of the rails just dont seem to fit the bag so I took the specs out of the rule book.

 

 

Jim

In the NHRA rule book, "1:8 Lower Engine Containment Device" It says; " a belly pan may be used in lieu of a device attached to the engine. The belly pan must extend from framerail to fraimrail and extend forward of the harmonic balancer and to the rear of the engine block and must incorporate a minimum 2-inch-high lip on all sides unless specified in Class Requirements. A nonflammable oil-absorbant liner mandatory inside of retention device."

It says nothing about a belly pan needing to be SFI certified, that would need to be clarified, but this sounds like a much better solution. No worry about burning a blanket.

I took a real good look at things today. I was able to help the blanket and flexplate issue by routing some straps to some different points. So hopefully I am good to go now.

 

I like the idea of a bellypan for the ease, and it would cut the air from under the car, yet I already has the blankie/diaper. By the way, the blanket/diaper I am using is a J@J. Now that I have it figured out, if anyone needs any advice on where to put the front and rear straps fell free to ask.

 

Thanks!

I know what you mean.  A friend of mine bought a blanket for his big block in 2006 before  the NHRA mandate.  Runs it as tight as it can be pulled to the bottom of the oil pan but it still rubbed his flex plate, a small hole.

I use the DRE NHRA accepted diaper on my BBC w/7qt Moroso pan and 2qt filter.  Paid $164 shipped to the house and it fits like a glove with no mods or interferance what so ever.  Took me all of 15min to install!

I have DRE fit nice has straps to pull forward no issues.