That's not a bad idea, let me know how it turns out. I found another flexplate, the heavy flywheel was not damaged. I cut the pads off the torque converter tonight, will weld new pads on in the next couple of days. I will weld 8mm nuts to the top of the pads to bolt the flexplate to. I will weigh the pads after I finish them, then I should not need to balance anything. We have grinder machines at work that turn 5000 RPM with 24 pins on a plate. The pins are not balanced, they weigh them after making them, and that is close enough. We have never had a balance issue with the pins.

John

Good luck!! Hope it works out, one way or another we will find a solution for automatics.

They make an adapter kit to connect an OM617 to the 700R4, it has the engine plate, torque converter, and starter. It's about $1,000. transmissionadapters.com Kind of pricey, but all the R&D work is already done. Let me know how you make out with your project.

John

Yea, too rich for me too! Kinda takes all the fun out of it!!

yah that kit would work for your setups as long as the jeep came with the 2.8 v6 to start with.

I am still planing on using ths aw4. I think it is the strongest that came in the cherokee,will see lol !! I don't think anyone has an adapter for that trans but I am too cheep anyway!!

I'm sure the AW4 will handle the power of the 617 if it's healthy. Plus you will have lockup and overdrive.

Damage
 

Here are a couple of pics. One is of the converter with the pads ground off. The other is of the damaged flexplate. I have new blocks being made that will weld to the converter, and I found another flexplate.

John

Yea FNG here! Cool site & this thread wil & has answered quite a few of my Q's! Bought up an old 300D with 140K on it with the idea of transplanting into the old Jeep. Buddy mentioned this site to me & that someone here was doing this. I'm sure I'll be picking some of your guys brains in the near future for sure!

WELCOME!!!!