Starter doesn't reach Flywheel

[wollimann]

Hi at all,

while i am prepairing the replacement of my 5R55E (97 Explorer 4.0 sohc) tranny i must notice
that the new starter (Bosch SR7541X LT 28123) does not reach/engage the flywheel.
Either the new starter is the wrong one or the flywheel (from spare motor) does not match.
Bought a new torque converter and it is identical to the old one.
Little helpless now.

0.9 inch

Dimension A fits exactly

thanks Wolfgang

 

[Stick4503]

Sorry my response was inaccurate. Check my next one it makes sense.

 

[koda2000]

Are you sure you didn't get a starter for a manual trans?

 

[Stick4503]

Ok. Think of it this way. When you flywheel is attached to the engine and your torque converter is seated and the tranny is mounted up you normaly have just enough room for the converter to be turned to line up the bolts to the flywheel. So in your pic the flywheel is connected to the seated converter but in reality the flywheel should be about a converter attachment bolt length closer to the starter.

 

[boominXplorer]

Once bolted to the motor the torque converter is pulled about 3/4" out of the transmission to seat to the flexplate. I believe you have all the correct parts.

 

[wollimann]

Thank you so much for your answers!!!
First i hope the spare part shop send me the matching starter, didn't know until now
that there are differences between manual and automatik transmission.
For a blody first time tranny changer like me for the understanding,
- the flex plate is torqued with 8 bolts to the engine with spacer
- the transmission is bring up to the engine while the 4 torque converter bolts
sliped into flex plate bores
- bolting bellhousing bolts to engine
And then the 4 self-locking nuts pull the converter out of the tranny for about 3/4"?

Some thoughts about that, the converter is not very deep in the pump gear
and the turbine shaft ist not very deep in the converter.
If this behaviour ist normal, ok so it is.
These are things they never write down anywhere,
can't find nothing about it.
Unfortunately i don't get enough experience with this stuff.

Thanks for your assistance!

Wolfgang

 

[wollimann]

These are the dimensions of the new starter, automatic transmission?

thanks
Wolfgang

 

[koda2000]

When the converter is installed in the tranny, you need to rotate it until you feel 2 distinct clunks. This fully engages the pump. Typically there is just enough room to get your fingers between the converter and the bell housing when it's fully seated.

Forgive me for asking this, but you do realize that when the starter motor runs it throws the gear out into the flywheel/flexplate, right?

IDK if RockAuto sells Bosch starter motors, but if they do their on-line catalog is handy to verify that you received the right part number.

Edit - I looked on the RockAuto catalog. They do not list a Bosch starter for the auto trans, but it appears the Bosch starter for the manual trans is part number SR7545.

 

[wollimann]

Yes the converter is fully seated, i heard the two clunks.
Filled up the converter before and put some assembly lube
on the parts.
That's right, tested the starter on a work bench first,
than attached to the tranny for a second.
Sounds not good, only the last end of the starter gear catches the flex plate teeth.

 

[wollimann]

what about putting some washers between flex plate an tc?
Is this "room" for the extension while the parts heat up?

 

[koda2000]

what about putting some washers between flex plate an tc?
Is this "room" for the extension while the parts heat up?

I would not do this. Are you using a new flex plate? If so, do you still have the old one? Something isn't right here.

 

[wollimann]

Flex plate is a used one from a spare motor,
old flex plate, old starter and worn tranny are still installed.

 

[Stick4503]

I think you are over thinking this. Is the tranny the right one? Does the starter part number match what is called for? Is the flexplate from the same model engine? If so bolt it up and go with it. Now if your making parts work that is a different case.

 

[wollimann]

I think for the first time, it is better to have one more thought about this stuff (?).
The overhauled spare tranny is exactly the same as the old one,
the one from 96-97 (P97gt-7006bbr) with the two outer sensors .
The starter should be the matching one, a member of our forum measures up his spare starter
and it has the same dimensions.
He also measures the dimensions of his flex plate (2000 Explorer engine), very very near to mine.
But we have one of the first 96 sohc models, mybe that's the hopping point?

My problem is that i have to rent a do it yourself garage, so if something went wrong
i can't leave the rig there. I hate to do things twice causing by a wrong or missing parts.
I wish i could change the tranny here at home, but we have no ramps
and in the mean time it is to cold outside 23 °F.
Hope that i don't stress your nerves too much.

thanks Wolfgang

shimming?
http://www.chevydiy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/182.jpg
http://www.chevydiy.com/gm-turbo-350-transmission-installation-guide/#

 

[koda2000]

I have shimmed the torque converter on my Chevy TH350 turbo trans to more fully engage the transmission's front pump. I do not see how this applies to the PO's issue as the starter's ring gear is on the flexplate what good would shimming the TC do? Am I missing something here?

 

[wollimann]

Please help me, i am not good in reading between the lines.
What do you miss here?

Now i know that this alignment / checking up the gap between flex plate an TC,
can only be done if the tranny is bolted on.
If the gap is too big the TC will be pulled out of the pump gear and the o-ring
will sit outside.

 

[wollimann]

Today i became a mail from a tranny specialist who wrotes,
that i should put the things together and see what happens.
We will see...

Wolfgang

 

[koda2000]

Yes, at this point no one knows what else to tell you. Might as well give it a try. Let us know what happens.

 

[wollimann]

Of cause, i will stay you informed.
Maybe i take (buy) this ramp to do the job at home.
https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s...eugpraesentation-gebraucht/544319373-241-2127

Wolfgang

 

[koda2000]

Of cause, i will stay you informed.
Maybe i take (buy) this ramp to do the job at home.
https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s...eugpraesentation-gebraucht/544319373-241-2127

Wolfgang

A lot of money if you only use it once. Maybe you could sell it afterwards.