Torque converter doesn't fit??
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: hamilton square NJ
Torque converter doesn't fit??
Why does the torque converter on the 700R4 trans I have not fit. It's a higher stall speed by 1000 or so and I put it on and it slide on nice. Now that the trans is up in the air the trans won't go onto the engine. i think that if i put bolts into it and tighten them it'll break the trans case. i need some help.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Re: Torque converter doesn't fit?? (xfactor974)
Two possibilities:
1. The torque converter is not fully installed into the front pump. The converter has a slot in it, and it must be rotated around several times for the converter to engage and "drop" into each of its "steps" in the front pump. When you install it and rotate it by hand, it should drop into the front pump in 3 steps. It will drop in so far that you cannot get a finger between the lower edge of the converter and the forward lower part of the case casting. To correct this, you must drop the tranny back out, and turn the converter over while lightly pushing it into the tranny. It will drop in another notch or two.
2. The converter boss is not the correct size for the crankshaft counterbore. I've seen this on 2 occasions. If the converter does not drop into the tranny any farther as indicated above, pull the converter out and lift it up into position against the flywheel/crankshaft all by itself. Verify that the "nose" of the converter fits into the crankshaft alignment counterbore and that the converter then fits flush up against the flywheel.
Best of luck!
1. The torque converter is not fully installed into the front pump. The converter has a slot in it, and it must be rotated around several times for the converter to engage and "drop" into each of its "steps" in the front pump. When you install it and rotate it by hand, it should drop into the front pump in 3 steps. It will drop in so far that you cannot get a finger between the lower edge of the converter and the forward lower part of the case casting. To correct this, you must drop the tranny back out, and turn the converter over while lightly pushing it into the tranny. It will drop in another notch or two.
2. The converter boss is not the correct size for the crankshaft counterbore. I've seen this on 2 occasions. If the converter does not drop into the tranny any farther as indicated above, pull the converter out and lift it up into position against the flywheel/crankshaft all by itself. Verify that the "nose" of the converter fits into the crankshaft alignment counterbore and that the converter then fits flush up against the flywheel.
Best of luck!
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From: hamilton square NJ
Re: Torque converter doesn't fit?? (lars)
Are you serious!! The torque converter will slip on further?? I can see about 3" or so of shaft when I look up into the trans. So i really have to pull it back down :cry :cry I was hoping not to do that. But when I bolted the torque converter to the flexplate it did sit flush. So that was a plus I guess. Thanks for the help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
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From: Raleigh North Carolina
Re: Torque converter doesn't fit?? (xfactor974)
I just installed a 305/700R4. What Lars says is 100% correct- and it holds true for most other automatic transmissions as well. The last "step" on the 700R4 is only about a 1/4 inch, but it will prevent the engine and trans from mating. If you force the issue, you can damage the trans. If you wobble the converter around too much during this process, you can also damage the trans and the front seal.
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From: hamilton square NJ
Re: Torque converter doesn't fit?? (Tom454)
:nono: HEHE i kind of forced it alittle. Hopefully nothing is damaged. :eek: Well if it drops in i'm going to feel really stupid. thanks guys
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From: hamilton square NJ
Re: Torque converter doesn't fit?? (xfactor974)
Ok, so here's the situation. I'm being really thick headed thinking i can get this converter to push on while the trans is in the air. So i have vice grips on both sides of the trans pulling it into the engine. I have the 3 converter bolts in. And i'm turning over the engine but the converter doesn't seem to want to slip in any further. Wouldn't the vise grips put more pressure on the converter than I could just pushing it and spinning? I'm not understanding here.
[Modified by xfactor974, 3:15 PM 10/31/2001]
[Modified by xfactor974, 3:15 PM 10/31/2001]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
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Re: Torque converter doesn't fit?? (xfactor974)
Ok, so here's the situation. I'm being really thick headed thinking i can get this converter to push on while the trans is in the air. So i have vice grips on both sides of the trans pulling it into the engine. I have the 3 converter bolts in. And i'm turning over the engine but the converter doesn't seem to want to slip in any further. Wouldn't the vise grips put more pressure on the converter than I could just pushing it and spinning? I'm not understanding here.
[Modified by xfactor974, 3:15 PM 10/31/2001]
[Modified by xfactor974, 3:15 PM 10/31/2001]
The best way to get this done: stand the tranny on end and lower the converter into place while rotating it back and forth. It should drop into place with very, very little effort.
Pay close attention to what Lars wrote above, particularly the part about "It will drop in so far that you cannot get a finger between the lower edge of the converter and the forward lower part of the case . . ."
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Re: Torque converter doesn't fit?? (xfactor974)
x-
You need to drop that tranny out and do this with delicate finesse. With the tranny out of the car, and with light hand pressure, you wiggle the converter lightly while gently turning it. With gentle, smooth movements, the converter will simply slip into engagement with the front pump tangs. If you try to force it or press it in, you stand a chance of breaking the drive tangs off the tranny front pump. That'll really tick you off...!
You need to drop that tranny out and do this with delicate finesse. With the tranny out of the car, and with light hand pressure, you wiggle the converter lightly while gently turning it. With gentle, smooth movements, the converter will simply slip into engagement with the front pump tangs. If you try to force it or press it in, you stand a chance of breaking the drive tangs off the tranny front pump. That'll really tick you off...!
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Joined: Oct 1999
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From: NorCal
Re: Torque converter doesn't fit?? (lars)
Think of it as not so much pushing it in as lightly installing it, if it doesn't go right in the first step you SLIGHTLY pull back, turn it A LITTLE, push it back in, repeat untill it drops in, repeat 'till it's all the way in. If you can get your fingers between the bellhousing and the torque converter, it's not all the way in. There is a chance you can do this in the car, but the trans would have to be pulled back far enough to free up the converter entirely. Good luck.
Hans
Hans
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From: hamilton square NJ
Re: Torque converter doesn't fit?? (Wrencher)
Nevermind I found out what the problem was. I took it to the transmission place where I had it rebuilt. I am lucky and stupid at the same time. The trans is a 30spline and not a 27spline like I thought. So the converter I have is the wrong spline for the trans. The good news is that the trans is a 30spline and not a 27. The bad news is that I have to send the converter back to California to get a new one. :cry . Who would've thought that the trans that I pulled out of the junk yard would be 30spline gold? And for $100, I think I lucked out pretty good. These are hard to come by from what I hear.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
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From: Raleigh North Carolina
Re: Torque converter doesn't fit?? (xfactor974)
Thanks for learning a lesson the hard way so the rest of us can avoid it!
I never would have guessed.
Must be I work on too many Fords.
Tom
I never would have guessed.
Must be I work on too many Fords.
Tom
