2002 engine into a 2003 Limited

[WLWalker]

Hello all, newby here. I bought a 2003 Liberty Limited with a bad engine and I already had a 2002 3.7 engine that I wanted to put in it. The flex plate from the 2003 would not bolt up to the 2002 engine. I bought a 2002 flex plate that fits the engine but won't bolt up to the torque converter. I thought I had the 45RFE transmission but it appears I have the 42RLE instead.
I need a flex plate that will bolt up to the engine and the torque converter if it exists.
Thanks in advance for all your help.

 

[mx3_ryder]

All year flex plates should bolt up just fine as they share the same crank shafts and bolt pattern, so not sure why your 03 won't? Flex plate will only line up one way so try rotating til it lines up. If you use your 03 flex plate, you should have no problems bolting up to torque converter.

 

[WLWalker]

All year flex plates should bolt up just fine as they share the same crank shafts and bolt pattern, so not sure why your 03 won't? Flex plate will only line up one way so try rotating til it lines up. If you use your 03 flex plate, you should have no problems bolting up to torque converter.

Thanks for the reply. I will try it again but I worked with it for a while and could not get it to line up. I'll let you know.
Thanks again.

 

[WLWalker]

Thank you so much, I feel like a dumb butt. I worked with it and I got it to line up. Thanks for our help.:ROFLJest:

 

[mx3_ryder]

Thank you so much, I feel like a dumb butt. I worked with it and I got it to line up. Thanks for our help.:ROFLJest:

Your welcome and good luck with the install. :happy160:

 

[twowings]

Thank you so much, I feel like a dumb butt. I worked with it and I got it to line up. Thanks for our help.:ROFLJest:

Don't sweat it...ain't a swingin' d*ck here who hasn't felt like that at one time or another...if they deny it, they're lying...it goes with the territory when you work with your own hands...:gr_grin:

 

[CactusJacked]

Application charts show 2003-2012 flexplate the same, 2002 is a different part number. Looking at a picture of each, I can see where the torque converter mount bolt pattern looks further out on the 02, which would confirm why they didn't line up on yours. I take it, it was the 03 plate that you got to work?

 

[mx3_ryder]

Application charts show 2003-2012 flexplate the same, 2002 is a different part number. Looking at a picture of each, I can see where the torque converter mount bolt pattern looks further out on the 02, which would confirm why they didn't line up on yours. I take it, it was the 03 plate that you got to work?

2002 flex plate will only work with 45RFE transmission. His 2003 has the 42RLE transmission which required the use of his original 2003 flex plate. It was the 03 he got to work.