Hey Guys, I'm finishing installing the different trans into the car. It is one of the big bell c-4's with the pan fill tube. The problem I'm having is that one of the torque conerter studs won't come through the hole in the flexplate far enough to get the nut started on it. The other three came through fine and the nuts started on them. Flexplate is the original one from the trans, as is the spacer plate. The torque converter is an aftermarket one. I don't think that the drain plug is hitting, but I'm not sure. There is not a hole in the flex plate that lines up with the plug. Anyone have any suggestions? I've got to get this thing done today so I can race tomorrow at the gathering!!! Thanks,
Update Hey Guys, Just dropped the trans again and pulled the flexplate. When I put the flexplate on the torque converter outside of the car, it fits perfectly. No interference with the drain plug, nothing. Sits just as flat as can be. I now have no idea what could be going on. I guess I'll dress the converter snout again with some emery cloth to see if maybe there's some interference there, but I don't think that's it. I'm going to try it one more time. If it doesn't work this time, I'll have to resort to just putting the stock converter back in to make the weekend. Jeez this is nerve wracking. And I can tell you... there's been a whole lot of fussing, cussing, and gnashing of teeth going on in my shop this morning!!! Later,
Maxx; make sure the converter is completely seated into the trans. It should drop twice while turning into the trans. If not, all manner of bad things will happen. Just something to recheck. Good luck!
Earl, Yes, it is seated all the way. For the life of me, I don't know what is going on. I'm taking a break from it right now. Going to eat something and then go back out there and try it again. I don't know how many transmissions I've changed and helped change over the years... and I've never had anything like this kick my rear so much! I think I just need to step back from it for a little while. Later, And thanks for the replies.
Maxx; sounds like the flexplate isn't flat on the crank or the converter isn't all the way in. Since the converter isn't the issue, check the flexplate, see that it isn't on backwards, and seats flat on the crank flange. I say backwards, because I learned that one the hard way. Just something else to check. Let us know,
Maxx, Don't tighten any of the nuts until all of the studs have the nuts started. Once they are all started you should have no problem. I know you don't have the wrong plate/converter because they have different bolt circles and you said it bolts up fine without the tranny. Lube that converter snout with vaseline to lube the seal during the start-up otherwise it will burn the seal and you will have leak problems. Make sure the transmission is mounted securely to the block (all six bolts tight) and that the studs are in the holes in the flex plate. Then start all the nuts before you tighten any of them and then tighten the nuts. There is just enough play in the bolt holes that you can pull them to one side when you tighten them and then the last one won't line up properly. No big deal just use a different technique and it will go on like they were meant to.
I'm beginning to think you may be right. I'll have to verify in the morning. I've got the stock converter in the trans right now, sitting on the trans jack. I'm going to try to get it installed in the morning when I get off work. I just LOVE working all night long. It will be a miracle if I can get the thing going and to the track in time tomorrow. We'll see. Heat index of 104 today didn't help any! Not looking a whole lot better for tomorrow. I'm not looking forward to the performance of the stock converter either! That's if it will even fit... Oh well, I guess I'll see in the morning. Later,
Maxx, You said your trans was a large bell - Is your bolt pattern 10.5" on the converter and flywheel? If so then you need the small bell. If it is 11.5" then you need the large bell. The bolt pattern for the engine mounting is the same, The difference is the the large bell will fit 164 tooth flywheel and the small bell won't. If you use the large bell with the small flywheel the starter wont engage.
Hey Paul, Thanks for the replies.... I think the problem was the snout on the aftermarket converter. I dropped the trans again and re-installed the factory converter, and it bolted right up. On the aftermarket one, it (snout) was the same diameter, but it is a little longer (deeper into the crank), and looks like the taper is a little different. Not positive, too much going on to mic it yet. I'll look at it a little closer after I get the car going again and things calm down a little. Later,
