Seating the Torque converter

[Skotty]

Putting a new engine in my 92.Everything was going good until I had to turn the engine over to get the converter bolted onto the flywheel.It was stuck wouldn't budge.I read on here that it could be the CV wasn't seated.I loosened the engine from the tranny and could turn it over but would rather be safe then sorry
and took the engine back out.I noticed the CV had a little play in it while pushed all the way back.Is this normal?or should it be rock solid when seated.I put a new seal in before I mated the tranny and engine up and it still looks good.

I am at my wits end with this thing.I must have taken the CV out and pushed it back in about 20 times last night before having to walk away.

On a side note I can spin the CV in all gears including park.Is that normal?

Thanks for all the help as this forum has been a staple of Info.

 

[wood1]

Hey man, did you slowly turn the TC while pushing it into the pump? You should hit the shoulder when you first push it in, then as you turn it there will be obvious further movement as it seats properly. Also, did you have to draw the transmission up to the engine with the bolts or did it slip right in place? The crankshaft is bolted to the TC so it always spins while the engine is running regardless of what position the trans is (park, neutral, etc.)

Sounds to me that you do not have the TC seated properly in the pump and that is what is binding the engine, preventing it from turning.

Is this your old converter or a replacement?

 

[Skotty]

Old converter.I'm thinking Im getting hung up on the pump shaft but its hard to tell.It feels like its sliding all the way to the back but I have lateral play.Not much but something is telling me its needs to go back further.The only had to suck up about 1/4 inch.Mainly to get the dowels on the tranny to go into the engine.Nothing felt like it was hangin up.Even the bolts were easy to turn while the engine and tranny joined

 

[wood1]

Easy way to know if your TC is seated properly, you should feel two "bumps" while installing it in the transmission. Measure from the transmission bellhousing mounting flange (that seats against the motor) to the end of the TC snub that mates to the crankshaft to flywheel spacer (piece that bolts to the crankshaft). The distance should be between 7/16 and 9/16 (reference page 43 of the ATSG manual). Make sure you half-fill the TC before installing it.

 

[wood1]

How'd you make out?

 

[Skotty]

I think I got it.The end of the snub that goes into the flywheel is measuring just under 9/16.Still don't like how "loose it feels".But the engine turns by hand so I am assuming its in.

Thanks for the help!

 

[wood1]

Yep, sounds like you got it. The flywheel spacer holds the TC too. You could check the TC bushing if you are worried it's worn beyond specs. If it is you have to have a new bushing machined after it is pressed into the bellhousing. The bellhousing has to be mounted in a jig and spun on a lathe or bolted down and machined.

Here is a bit on info on the spacer.

http://www.sonnax.com/system/pdfs/108/original/TASC-TIP-10-04.pdf?1289926275

http://www.sonnax.com/system/announcement/56000-CS6.pdf

Here is the TC bushing and installation instructions.

http://www.sonnax.com/system/instructions/56001X-IN.pdf