I went ahead and drew the TC in with the mounting bolts and looks like everything is fitting together as it should. I've not done the final torque yet. Still would like to hear some thoughts.
Thanks.

 

You don't want to pull the converter back to the flexplate that full 7/16" distance...it could end up with too little contact with the pump drive , the input shaft to lock-up clutch plate, or the stator splines inside the converter. Or worse yet, lose contact with one or more of those....instant failure.

You'll want to shim between the flexplate and the converter pads, you can either make custom pad shims if you have a lathe or access to someone who can do it for you, or just use a couple hardened (grade 5 minimum )washers. Get the gap down to no more than 3/16-1/4" max.

This has become a rother common occurrence with aftermarket parts nowadays....wasn't nearly as common of an issue 15+ years ago. Used to only really see it with Racing parts, now you see it with even stock replacement stuff.

 

Perfect, thank you.
I will shim it.

 

So the next question is will the standard, hardware store chineseium grade 8 bolts work ok, or do I need something better. I'll need longer bolts to accommodate the shims.

Also, after tightening the thrany mounting bolts, I'm now at a gap of 5/16". is this still too much?

Thanks.

 

As long as it is grade 8, it should be fine.

The cheap plain "utility" grade is not acceptable.

 

EDIT: nevermind

 

I think if you flip your flexplate over, you'll find it will work out better.
Its on Backwards

 

Hello again, you helped me with all the work on this trany a few weeks ago. Thank you for that!

As far as the flex plate being on backwards, I am certain it is on correctly. During disassembly, the possibility of me installing it backwards occured to me, so I took a picture of it before removal. I referenced the picture when installing it back on. When I started having fitment issues, I took it back off and test fitted it the other way and it was not how it goes. The edge of the plate is way too close against the block when I put it on the other way. I didn't take any measurement, but it didn't look right.
The picture is of the plate as it was originally.

What do you think of the 5/16" space the TC has to be moved forward. I will be using spacers (2 washers per bolt) so the TC will move 3/16" forward and getting longer bolts. That's my plan, what do you think?

Thanks again

 

Ok, I sure thought otherwise. I googled 46re flexplate and found pics of them installed flipped the other way.
Are you sure the convertor is in all the way?
You need 1/8 of an inch of slop for a safety factor.
Did you check crankshaft endplay?.. If all is well then shim the rest.

Caution,
The bolt has to be sized so it does NOT hit the convertor cover. Air wrenches stretch bolts, so hand wrench it in.
If it hits the convertor it will dent the surface that the lock-up clutch rides on.