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Torque converter install

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Old 06-06-2020, 09:41 PM
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Car: 88 Trans Am
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3:42 open diff
Torque converter install

Is my convertor installed correctly. I went by the 3 clicks. (Input shaft splines,stator shaft splines, then I spun and pushed forward until the convertor went as close as it will go. I really wanted to aim for the notches first by looking into the oil seal. I’m sorry I’m sounding like I’m not making any sense is they’re a fool proof way to check and put my mind at ease. I can spin the converter by hand and then I can’t wedge my fingers in between. Here is some pics

Old 06-06-2020, 10:05 PM
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Car: 86 Imponte Ruiner 450GT, 91 Formula
Engine: 350 Vortec, FIRST TPI, 325 RWHP
Transmission: 700R4 3000 stall.
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt Torsen 3.70
Re: Torque converter install

Put a straight edge across the bell-housing and measure the depth of the mounting pads. Compare this to the height of the flex plate from the engine bell-housing. The torque converter generally has to be pulled forward a bit to reach the flex plate.

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Old 06-06-2020, 10:54 PM
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Re: Torque converter install

once you get the transmission bolted up, you should only have about 1/8 to 3/16 gap between the convertor and flexplate. Often times you have to put a washer or two in the gap where the bolt holes are in order to narrow it down to that range.

Once you have the gap set to that range, then you can pull the convertor up against the flex plate and bolt them together.

I also always go around the bolts and tighten progressively (as opposed to fully tightening one first) to ensure the converter remains parallel to the flexplate.

Lastly don't forget to use threadlocker on the bolts.

Last edited by ULTM8Z; 06-06-2020 at 10:58 PM.
Old 06-07-2020, 09:09 PM
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Car: 88 Trans Am
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3:42 open diff
Re: Torque converter install

Well I got the transmission in, boy was it tough there is very little room. I found it was helpful to jack slightly under the engine oil pan until the Trans bell housing and engine were parallel. I used my Harbor Freight transmission scissor jack. I believe I got my spacing between the torque converter right. Here is a pic before I tighten the bolts


Old 06-07-2020, 10:51 PM
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Re: Torque converter install

What I typically do is get a piece of metal that's within the 1/8 - 3/16 thickness range and stick it into the gap to ensure the gap is the right before tightening the bolt.
Old 06-08-2020, 01:56 AM
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Car: '87 IROC
Engine: LB9
Transmission: TH700R4
Re: Torque converter install

Because I had to tilt the unit way forward to get it out from under the body/chassis, I made a retaining bar to hold the converter in place during removal.



For future reference, I measured from the bar to the flex plate mounting pad before pulling off the converter.


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Old 06-08-2020, 06:17 AM
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Car: 88 Trans Am
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3:42 open diff
Re: Torque converter install

I’m just finally happy 😃 that I got the thing in. I took me months to rebuild this Trans, all I got left is just lines,driveshaft, etc.
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