[newbielike]

I've installed a few transmissions over the years, and from what I can remember you usually have to slide the "TC" (torque converter) a hair to mate to the flexplate, this is where I had questions.

I bolted the transmission up fine making sure before i slid the transmission up to the block that the torque converter was still seated. I then bolted up the crossmember and driveshaft/carrier bearing and was gonna start on the "TC" but noticed it was tight up against the flexplate and I couldnt get one to spin without the other one also spinning, so I couldn't line the holes up. So I had to unbolt the driveshaft/carrier bearing and unbolt it from the crossmember and loosen the bolts in the block and slide it back a hair. I checked that the torque converter was seated and it was. I lined up the holes as I slid the transmission back up and bolted everything back up again, same thing. It was still tight against the flexplate.

So I was wandering is that normal for the torque converter to be tight against the flexplate? Note: I was doing this by myself so 2 people might have been able to spin the flexplate and torque converter seperately.

Also they gave me a different style torque converter that uses nuts and bolts instead of the good ones with the nuts made into the TC's mouting plates. Maybe the mounting plates on the new TC are a hair thicker?

Any help would be appreciated. This is my third tranny this year I'd hate to to have #4 before 2008 gets here. The truck had a 700R4 in it when I bought it and it went out in June I think, I had a TH350 laying around and it only lasted until just about 2 weeks ago. Granted it had been sitting in the building for a couple years and had a few years wear on it at that. Also had to order me a new kickdown cable because the housing on the old one was cracked and almost broke apart from the cable lining, I installed it and forgot to grab the housing before I fed it up top and you can guess what happened. Snapped it right off the housing so I had to go back and order another one. I love hotrods, it's always something and most the time the parts aint stocked or easy to find. We had to look through the books to find the right cable, after going to 3 different parts stores and none of them being able to find it.

[topfuel]

It sounds like the converter isn't fully engaged into the front pump. Check it carefully and make sure the converter is fully engaged before bolting it up again. There should be approximately 3/16"-3/8" between the converter mounting lugs and the flexplate when the trans is bolted to the engine.

[newbielike]

Roger that, I just found a couple other sites searching around, it felt like it was seated but the clearance issue threw me off. It's always better to ask question now and look stupid than waiting until you tear it up and actually be stupid

Thanks for the info, here's a site I found for proper installation if you want to really know you got it right:

http://www.partshp.com/ConverterInstructions.htm

I've also heard to listen for 3 different clicks/clunks when installing it but I don't know