metal engine trans seperator plate

[MuDDuQ]

I put my engine and trans together and dropped it in the car and found the metal plate that separates the engine from the trans that goes on behind the flywheel. Anyone know what the effects would be of leaving it off?

 

[Mustang5L5]

The front of your bellhousing acts like a big scoop and road debris, small animals and other crud basically have a straight shot into your flywheel and clutch setup.

Plus i beleive it indexs the starter correctly

 

[MuDDuQ]

good point I guess now would be alot better time to take it out than later when its all bolted in

 

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

The front of your bellhousing acts like a big scoop and road debris, small animals and other crud basically have a straight shot into your flywheel and clutch setup.

Plus i beleive it indexs the starter correctly

Check and check. However, i will admit that i drove without one for a good 4 years and never had any ill effects...but it's also not a daily driver. I was always paranoid that a rock or something could get up into my clutch. I've got one on it now though.

 

[MuDDuQ]

Thanks for the opinions and advise I took it back out and put the plate in and all is good in the world