torque converter install
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 933
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From: St. Paul MN
torque converter install
Is there any magic to the torque converter install? I measured the old one and it sticks out like 3 1/8" if I install the new one like this (yank ss 3600) will this be correct? That is, is there anyway to intall it all the way yet fail to engage the pump?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
The pump needs to fully engage. If it's all the way on, it will function properly. The mounting distance to the flex plate needs to be the same as the stocker so, if it's sticking out further, you haven't fully engaged the pump. It can be a bit tricky sometimes.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 933
Likes: 0
From: St. Paul MN
Also, if its sticking out further than the stocker I wouldn't be able to mount the trans to the torque tube correct?
Forgive my ignorance but how can the pump not be fully engaged if the converter is installed fully. That is, the ears on the old converter were sticking out about 3" from the trans. If I install the other one and I achieve the same measurement is there any reason why I shouldn't believe it is fully engaged.
This is one of the times that it seems to me that it would be impossible for the converter to incorrectly installed if the trans mounts to the torque tube. The converter needs to mount to the flex plate and the trans and torque tube need to mount flush.
Last edited by verano29; Jun 8, 2008 at 05:45 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
If it's all the way on, it will function properly. Notice the keyways on the pump shaft - they will engage as the converter is slid into place. If you get the flex plate and tt to line up and bolt on correctly, you're good to go. If the converter is not far enough in, you'll know it as you won't be able to pull the tt in close enough.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 1
From: Rugby North Dakota
I had a HECK of a time getting my Yank SS3200 to line up on the splines - but I got it - what I finally did was take a magic marker and mark the T/C where the ears were, and mark the tranny case where the ears were supposed to go - I got it lined up but it took a while - if you don't get it lined up right the 1st time, when you install you break the ears off the pump, then you get to pull your tranny and install a new pump
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 933
Likes: 0
From: St. Paul MN
Ok, now I'm officially freaked out.
I've done this a few times on my chevelle years ago and never put this much thought into it.
I've installed the converter on my transmission and it seems to be installed the same as the stocker. I must be completely missing something here. It took me like 3 seconds to install and we have someone here saying they had a heck of a time installing it.
The key on the converter is about an inch deep. So if its not engaged correctly is it going to be sticking out an inch too far or are we talking about a lot less than that, like 1/8"
Is there any athoritative way of determining if the converter is intalled correctly or not?
Here's how I installed it. I inserted the converter and turned it back and forth until it slid into place. At least a couple noticible "clunks". Am I doing something wrong here?
I've done this a few times on my chevelle years ago and never put this much thought into it.
I've installed the converter on my transmission and it seems to be installed the same as the stocker. I must be completely missing something here. It took me like 3 seconds to install and we have someone here saying they had a heck of a time installing it.
The key on the converter is about an inch deep. So if its not engaged correctly is it going to be sticking out an inch too far or are we talking about a lot less than that, like 1/8"
Is there any athoritative way of determining if the converter is intalled correctly or not?
Here's how I installed it. I inserted the converter and turned it back and forth until it slid into place. At least a couple noticible "clunks". Am I doing something wrong here?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 933
Likes: 0
From: St. Paul MN
Thanks for all the help! 
Ok, trans is now firmly mounted to the torque tube (I didn't remove the TT from the car). I can freely spin the torque converter so this is what I would expect as I will need to pull the converter to the flexplate to torque down the bolts.
Anybody think of any reason why it could still be possible for the TQ to be installed incorrectly?
Ok, trans is now firmly mounted to the torque tube (I didn't remove the TT from the car). I can freely spin the torque converter so this is what I would expect as I will need to pull the converter to the flexplate to torque down the bolts.
Anybody think of any reason why it could still be possible for the TQ to be installed incorrectly?
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 933
Likes: 0
From: St. Paul MN
