[plthomp]

This is only the second time i have ever pulled my 350 SBC and transmission, and the first time i bolted the transmission back on the engine, i had to take it to a transmission shop. They asked how i bolted the transmission back to the block, and i evidently did not do it correctly, because they said the torque converter broke some kind of gears off inside the transmission. I really don't want to go through that again, so could someone please tell me proper way to put the transmission back on the engine.

Thanks,
plthomp

 

[xntrik]

K I S S
The torque converter has a notch where it slides onto the transmission shaft. It will move on part way, stop, turn it, then clunk, then move on some more.

You probably only had it on 1/2 way and when you bolted the trans to the engine, the torque converter pushed the shaft rearward damaging the front pump or gears.

The TC needs to be recessed into the bellhousing about 5/8 inch or so when fully seated.

 

[plthomp]

Thank you for the quick reply, so i need to install the torque converter on the transmission first? That is what i did wrong last time, i installed the torque converter on the engine first, and then twisted the transmission onto the torque converter and bolted the bell housing to the engine.

Thank you for the information, you saved me a trip back to the transmission shop.

plthomp

 

[xntrik]

Right. It's heavy watch out...... also pour a 2-3 quarts of ATF in the converter shaft hole before slipping it on the shaft.

I'm a big believer of synthetic ATF, but it is $ 6 per quart.. Check with your trans shop for advice.

 

[lowstreet]

Make sure that you that push and turn it,So that it lock in properly.

 

[DeathRattle]

Do not forget the fluid in the converter. Thats the second most important thing to locating the converter all the way.

 

[tnsmith10]

from the looks of things, take it to the trans shop for the install...

 

[redsdad]

It's not that hard. You just have to be careful. You have three things which must be engaged. You have to engage the splines on the input shaft into the driven member of the torque converter. You have to engage the splines of the stator shaft into the stator in the converter. And you have to engage the pump tangs into the notches on the converter hub. Of course, you can't see any of this happen because it is internal. Turn and lightly push the converter until it drops all the way in. Place a straight edge across the bell housing and make sure the converter is deeper into the bell housing than the flex plate extends beyond the back of the block. When you are pushing the tranny to the back of the block, the bell housing should contact the block and the converter should have about 1/8" or so clearance to the flex plate. If the converter touches the flex plate before the bell housing touches the block, STOP. Re-seat the converter and try again.
As a lot of guys already said, put fluid in the converter before you install it.

 

[tnsmith10]

It's not that hard. You just have to be careful. You have three things which must be engaged. You have to engage the splines on the input shaft into the driven member of the torque converter. You have to engage the splines of the stator shaft into the stator in the converter. And you have to engage the pump tangs into the notches on the converter hub. Of course, you can't see any of this happen because it is internal. Turn and lightly push the converter until it drops all the way in. Place a straight edge across the bell housing and make sure the converter is deeper into the bell housing than the flex plate extends beyond the back of the block. When you are pushing the tranny to the back of the block, the bell housing should contact the block and the converter should have about 1/8" or so clearance to the flex plate. If the converter touches the flex plate before the bell housing touches the block, STOP. Re-seat the converter and try again.
As a lot of guys already said, put fluid in the converter before you install it.

and make a hell of a mess in the process... u can finish filling the trans once started, since theres fluid still in the bottom of the pan ( nothing said about dropping the pan) the fluid will be picked up by the pump. ull need to add about 3-4 once running... after the installation problem from 1st post, i still say take it a shop...

 

[Ricky Rocket]

torque converter installation

The general rule that I recommend is this: if you can fit your fingers between the torque converter and transmission pump, it is NOT installed all of the way. Wiggle, turn, and lightly push converter in some more until your fingers can't fit. This only works on bell housings that are open at the bottom. If it is a full bell housing, you need to measure from the bell into the torque converter and compare to service manual.

Rick