Lining up torque converter on Lincoln Aviator

[oharris]

I am trying to reinstall the engine on my '05 Lincoln Aviator and I am having a terrible time getting the torque converter lined up with the flexplate. I can't get my fingers on it through the starter hole. Does anyone have any tips? There isn't an access hole on this transmission.

 

[1sicbronconut]

Put some bright paint on the torque converter studs, helps to see them a lot better other than that it just takes skill or luck.

 

[410Fortune]

I remove the engine mount side plates… then line up to the trans ans stab it.. then once bolted together I hoist the engine up a bit, re install the side plates and finally drop it onto the mounts

 

[oharris]

I remove the engine mount side plates… then line up to the trans ans stab it.. then once bolted together I hoist the engine up a bit, re install the side plates and finally drop it onto the mounts

I did that to get it stabbed, my problem is I can't get the torque converter studs to line up with the holes in the flex plate. I can't reach the torque converter through the starter pocket like I normally do. How did you do this part?

 

[C420sailor]

I seem to remember starting the bell housing bolts by hand (do not tighten) to keep everything aligned and then cranking the motor with a ratchet a smidge at a time until they lined up…but it’s been a while

 

[410Fortune]

Line them up before you stab the trans
If you can’t turn the converter to get them perfectly aligned, then turn the engine

 

[oharris]

I did finally get it. What I ended up doing is bolting a piece of metal to the middle starter hole that reached behind the flex plate and caught the torque converter stud. I was then able to rotate the flex plate until it lined up. Otherwise it was just turning the torque converter with it.

 

[410Fortune]

Cool!