Help with my C4 install

Ok guys, I've got a 90's model 5.0 in my Comet. I took out the 5 speed and am trying to install a C4. I know the new flex plate is the right one. I believe the torque converter is the right one, but not 100% (are there different sizes of torque converters?). Now, every time I've bolted the tranny up, it comes up short. There is a small gap between the block and bell housing. I'm not sure whether I should pull out my air wrench and let it tighten things down, but I don't want to bust anything. Or, is it something else? Do I have the right bell housing? I hear there are several different sizes. How do I know which one is right? Who has the measurements? Is the torque converter the right one? How do I know? Thanks for the help.

 

it could be the right converter just not seated all the way, is the pilot bearing/bushing removed?

 

Do you have the spacer plate between the trans and the back of the motor? It goes on before the flexplate.

 

As mentioned be sure you have the plate on back of block but it's maybe 1/16" thick at most... Usual cause is converter not fully seated, if I remember correctly mine was 13/16" in place(NOTE first converter I bought would not seat deeply enough, had to send it back)... I believe that measurement was stud to bell mating surface... Also the std trans pilot bearing must be removed... AFAIK if studs are fitting into flexplate openings the bell, converter and flexplate should be correct...

 

Ugh I would not use the air wrench on it too many people have done that and took out the pump. How big is the small gap? Take a good look at the converter and see if it is sitting back from the face of the bell housing at least 3/4", standard rule is the converter has three different positions in it that have to mesh in when installing, if converter has a drain plug make sure it is lined up with hole in flex plate.

It sometimes can be a challenge and a little unnerving to get them to mate and you have to put a slight amount of pressure with bolts but do it evenly and wiggle tranny a lot to help. And like 71gold said get the bushing out of the end of crankshaft

 

Thanks, guys. After I posted this info I started doing some more reading. I am thinking I have the wrong bell housing on. I believe that, with a late model 90's 5.0, I am supposed to use a 164 tooth flex plate (large flex plate) and therefore the larger bell housing. I also need to check the size of the torque converter to make sure it is 11" and not 10". Yes, I do have the spacer plate between the block and flex plate. Now I need to find a larger bell housing....

 

The engine is stupid, as long as you have matching components it doesn't make a difference if they are 164T or 157T...

A 164T flexplate drags inside a 157T bell, I've tried it(could be your issue?)... The starter won't engage a 157 if used in 164 bell...

I have original C4 in my Comet with a '91 5.0, bought a 50oz imbalance 157T flexplate to bolt it all together... The proper balance flexplate is one of the foremost considerations...

 

I hear you. I have been told that I needed a 164 tooth flex plate with 50 oz weight. Therefore, I would also need a larger bell housing. It makes sense that if I can get a 157 flex plate with the same 50 oz balance, it would work. Thanks.

 

I used a 157 tooth flex plate o a 89 5.0. You can use a 157. 50oz , normally the bigger one is on trucks.you would be better off with the smaller one probably fit the tunnel better

 

Ok, I looked at my Summit order and see that I installed a 157 tooth, 50 oz flex plate. The flex plate is good. Now what? It must be the torque converter. When I installed the torque converter, I spun it on the shaft until it 'clicked into place. I believe that it is installed right. However, I now need to make sure it is the right one! It came with the C4 and I was told it was the right one?????? Don't know what else it can be.

 

3-clicks....1/2"-3/4" inside bellhousing...

 

I think there is like 3 steps when turning and pushing in tourqe converter.and like stated earlier if it has a drain plug make sure it is in the right spot on flexplate

 

Mine required at least 3/4" inset, first converter I bought only gave 5/8" and bound up when installed... The replacement Hughes gives 13/16"...

 

If the pilot bushing, or bearing IS removed....and all your other parts are correct, and TC drainplug is in a hole for it, and it still wont go.....which was the situation with my c4.....I turned the motor one revolution at the crank, which seemed to help, and wiggled the whole mess a bit, and it finally popped into place and bolts tightened easy. All four TC studs were in the flexplate, but bound up at the same time. I was wondering for at least a minute if my first Ford was going to be a failure, but I think it is ok. ( I was hating long tube headers the whole time too).

 

that's how I tell if the converter is seated. I tighten two bellhousing bolts and put the T.C. nuts on loosely to see if I can pull the converter in out and the studs wiggle in the flexplate bolt hole. if not the converter isn't seated all the way. I have wiped out a pump (5 miles) by it not being that loose at install.
have you driven the car yet?