I have spent about 6 or 7 hours over 3 days trying to mate up my new motor with my trans. We have lifted that motor so many times the cherry picker is now leaking down. Just a bit ago I actually got 2 nuts started and then dropped the third one down behind the flex plate so we had to pull it out again. Then it started sprinkling so we picked up the tools and called it a day. we'll try again Friday. the bolts do line up with the holes in the TC. I'm tired, dirty and disheartened. I need some beers and a nap. heheh there's always Friday. we are getting pretty good at putting the motor in and out though.
I just had that problem with mine, turned out the converter was wrong http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=70553&page=2
i would just pull the trans bolt it to the engine and then drop it into the car. about 5-6 years ago i was having the same problem so i pulled the trans out, removed my hood, bolted the trans to the engine and it made life a whole lot better.
You don't want to force anything or put nuts on any studs and start tightening to pull. It should all fit and basicly fall in place. Gotta be convertor not seated or incorrect.
Definitely don't try to get the motor and tranny to come together by tightening the bolts. You will break the bellhousing. I usually try to get them together before putting them in the car. Good luck, Bob.
Its a lot easier to put the motor in anbolt it up then do the tranny.just the way i always di it if it any help good luck.
Other than what has already been mentioned, a long time ago I had one that would not go together and on the third attempt I found the problem. The pilot shaft on the converter had been hit and even though it was not scared, it was swollen and would not seat in the crank. A slight grinding and some emory cloth and oil it went in. Long shot but you might want to check it. Good luck
Put the engine and trans together out of the car.If for no other reason than to be certain it all fits together. You can allways blow it apart for the install. Be certain the converter snout fits the pilot hole in the crank snugly but with no resistance on install.(it should literally slip into the hole in the crank.Did your car originally have a standard shift trans in it??? If so, you may have forgotten to remove the pilot bushing from the end of the crank. The engine/trans will drop into the engine bay as an assembly.(your gonna have to tilt it down at the trans tailshaft (dont put any fluid in the trans till its in the car to stay) Be certain the converter seats properly on the trans pump/input shaft. Be certain the converter fits the flexplate properly...If the converter has a drain plug on it,it needs to line up with the DP. hole in the flexplate. Go back to it with fresh eyes on friday and check it all over well. You may have the incorrect converter(seems to be a common problem with off the shelf aftermarket converters) be deliberate and methodical...You'll get it figured out. Good luck man!!!
Is the converter from the trans you are installing? There were a number of different bellhousing depths on the C4. I had a converter made for my tranny, and it was too long, so I couldn't move the flexplate when I tightened the converter nuts. Had to ship the converter back and have them shorten it, then it worked great. Also, I agree on putting them together outside the car and putting the motor and trans in as a package. Easier to get together and tell if anything is out of whack, just have to have more hands during the install. And blankets if you care about the paint in the engine bay.
that... or at least bolt the T.C. to the flexplate before you put the motor in... make sure the...T.C. mounts to flexplate... make sure the...T.C. goes all the way into the transmission... ...Frank...
I agree with other posts you yank the trans and bolt everything up. check it over and drop the Whole Unit in. just like this. 2hrs get Beer for your freinds.
Just one other thought as well. When we pulled the C4 from my aunt's Mustang, we accidently pulled the input shaft out a little when removing the TC. that allowed one of the thrust washers to slip down and not let the input shaft to go back in all the way. The TC would seat all the way on the shaft but the trans still wouldn't bolt up. It was frustrating but we got it put back together. Good luck and keep with it.
here is some more info. I took the flex plate off the motor to check it and it slides right on to the TC. The trans has been in the car for a while and is full of fluid.The TC is fully seated onto the input shaft of the trans. I am now thinking that the engine and trans are not in a straight line, i.e. rear of motor is too low and front of trans is too high or some such thing. we have had it with all bolts finger tight so the trans and motor do line up. I think i have seen the guide pins seated but I will check to make sure they will seat in the Bell housing. They are calling for cold and snow tomorrow so I may not get to it for a few days. More time to think it out.
