After a 15 year hiatus from wrenching I have spent the last 3 weeks rebuilding my 302. Well, tonight is/was the night for install including a new torque converter. That is where the problem began!! I have all the bell housing bolts started and my converter is off 1/4 of a hole! I have jacked up the engine a dozen times, line em up and when it come down, we are off 1/4 a hole!! Errrrrr Ideas, tips or anyone want to buy a 1970 Maverick!!! Help please... Scott
Yes, I am 1/4 or so off to align the torque converter bolts with those in the flexplat/flywheel. It is the OPPOSITE direction of rotation or I would just rotate the crank. Scott
is the motor from the mav origanally? and have you taken the flywheel off the motor to see if it fits on the converter? i don't know how much veriation there is between them, but if its from a newer car it may be the reason..
All is the same. New converter but still 10 1/2 bolt circle. Motor is off mounts (as it should be at this point) and the bellhousing is aligned with the dowel pins started. The problem is the 4 studs of the converter are JUST missing sliding through the holes. I can not rotate the converter through the strater hole because it is touching the flexplate BECAUSE THE BOLTS ARE NOT ALIGNED! Sorrt, had to vent here! Rule #1 to a happy marriage "never hang wallpaper with your spouse" Rule #2 to a happy marriage "never have you spuse help you drop in your new motor when all your friends are gone!!" ha ha I am actual glad she was willing to keep me company as I threw wrenches about the garage!!
lmao!! sounds like a good woman.. i always line up the converter before putting bolts in the bellhousing, if you havent already try to loosed up the trans so you can line it up easyier.. im sure there is a better way, im just stuck doing things by myself most of the time.. but someone else should probably have a better idea, i've only put 3 motors in cars.. good luck man
Is the "snout" on the converter to big? Will the convertor fit into the flexplate? The convertor "should" be able to turn freely once the tranny is mated with the block. I would try and just put the convertor up to the flexplate and make sure you the snout fits all the way into the flexplate pilot hole and it should spin freely. reason why the convertor will not spin: 1) maybe the flexplate is burred up around the welds. 2) convertor snout is to big(or burred up) for the flexplate pilot hole. 3) convertor not all the way into the tranny. 4) I am sure there is more, these are some of things that I have dealt with. Also, not trying to insult you. But there are 2 sets of holes on the flexplate, are you sure you are trying to line the convertor up with the correct holes on the flexplate? I am still curious as to why you cannot spin the convertor with the tranny mated to the block. That would be the first problem I would solve. When you solve that, the other problem will probably take care of itself. Hope this helps! Good luck and keep us posted.
Converter Prob's Have found that with some aftermarket converters, mostly high stall ones, that a few do not match perfectly as you describe. Some even send a sheet that tells to enlarge the flexplate holes, these mostly use a screw in bolt or stud and nut. 1/4in is a bit much though. Those ones with studs built on are a pain because they must line up with the holes before tightening the bell bolts. I use a couple of homemade guide studs to start with on the block which helps. Is almost impossable to turn the converter with studs in it, with the bell tight to the block and holes not lined up. Make sure the converter is seated all the way into the pump, the crank snout and converter hub must be clean and free of burrs, also. Are you using the block to bell spacer plate? If all else seems right I would remove the trans and take the converter off and check the bolt pattern and such, with much of our stuff being built in far away lands, and many less than competent parts pullers in our stores, could have a big problem there. Go ahead and rotate the crankshaft to see how close they can come, you can always reset it to TDC again later. Good luck as always.
when you say its oposite rotation, why not rotated the converter.. it should rotate freely.. also.. ford used 2 converters, one with a drain plug near one of the bolts, and one with a drain plug half way between two bolts.. Make sure your new converter matches your flex plat as it should have a hole that matches the drain plug..
Old Guy I am new to this board but I already know that you are " a wise man". Your answers are always right on. My converter has the studs which is why it will not "spin freely" with the bellhousing lined up, because the studs are dragging on the plate! I wish it was as simple as just bumping the engine (with a wrench not the starter) a couple of degrees of rotation but I am off the wrong way for normal rotation. I will just have to keep rotating the assembly until, POP they line up! ERRR Keep telling myself when I drive it for the first time in 15+ years, it will be worth all this!! Thank God for a patient wife and this board!! Scott
I had that problem... ..last week!! I took the converter back along with my flexplate to the tranny shop I bought the converter from. Turns out there are a couple of different converters that fit these year cars. New one worked perfect..my drain plug was not accessible. Now it is. Seth
This is a frustrating problem to describe. I hnk Old Guy nailed it though/. The converter IS the right one, the bolts DO line up, the converter WILL seat in the crankshaft end. The problem is getting them all to do it at the same time!!! I need to rotate the engoibe backwards (which I do not want to do) a little bit to get the bolts aligned. But, with the studs dragging on the flywheel the converter just moves with the assembly. As Old Guy said, I just need to keep spinning it until they drop in the holes! Thanks for all the input, I am not alone!! Scott
I know this is gonna sound crazy . But I`ve been in the same situation and this is what I do... Turn the engine over with a ratchet at the front crank snout bolt until you have access to a torque converter drain plug hole in the flexplate (flywheel). Now take a large flat head screw driver and stick it thru the hole at an angle until it is against the converter...press the screw driver firmly against the converter and let it rest against the side of the hole in the flexplate...now pry either left or right and the converter will rotate until the studs drop into the holes. It WILL work.
MAV Ha! It worked (not that I doubted you!) Thanks.. Less than 20 mins and all done. Hedders after dinner and who knows? Painting stripes down the street by Saturday night! Thanks to all, Scott
Sweet! I hope I can come see it sometime! Ya know, we are still meeting down in Vallejo on Sunday...... I know, it's probably too soon for you, but I figured I would try anyway! Later. -Corbin
