Torque Converter Installation Help Please

[Zardin]

I'm installing a new transmission into my 94 Explorer XL, with the 4.0L Cologne V6 and the A4LD transmission. I got the transmission used and it's guaranteed to be in perfect condition. The only problem I'm having right at the moment is getting the torque converter to go all the way back. It's short of one step from being fully seated. I was wondering if anyone had any tips or knows how to fix this problem. A reply would be much appreciated as my truck has been down for a couple months and I need it running ASAP.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Place the transmission with the extension housing against the ground. Put the torque converter into the bell housing, and rotate it. It will drop every fraction of a turn until it bottoms out against the bell housing.

 

[Zardin]

Will do. Gonna go try that now. Thank you very much.

 

[Zardin]

I have another problem. The converter is fully seated but for some reason the sides and the top of the transmission won't come close enough to get a bolt started. Me and my friend can get the bottom close enough to get the bottom bolts in, but not the sides. It's lacking maybe an inch between the engine and transmission. Probably half an inch for the bolts in the side to get started good. Again, any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Jack Flash]

?? the tranny has to go in straight so you can get the TC into the pilot bearing, plus you need to align the converter bolts to where they will go through the holes in the flywheel/flexplate.

there are alignment dowels on each side that you must get the tranny case to match up.

...that's about all my brain will come up with for now.........jjf

 

[BrooklynBay]

It sounds like the angle of the transmission is wrong. Is your torque converter completely flush where you could put a straight piece of wood across the bell housing with the converter inside of it, and it would be completely flat against the bell housing without touching the torque converter?

 

[Zardin]

I checked all that and everything's lining up perfect. The converter bolts are going though the holes on the flywheel and the rod in the middle of the converter is going straight into place.

 

[Zardin]

Yes, Brooklyn. And I even took the flywheel off and put it on the converter inside the bell housing it and it sits perfectly flush. The only thing I could think of it is that the flywheel is sticking out too far, Would it be possible to take the shim off that goes between the crankshaft and the flywheel?

 

[BrooklynBay]

What kind of transmission jack are you using? Do you have the scissor style or the hydraulic jack adapter?

 

[Zardin]

It's a 3 ton Hydraulic floor jack with an adapter on it. And I've tried moving the jack to different positions but it won't work right.

 

[BrooklynBay]

You might have a cracked flywheel to crankshaft spacer. Sonnax makes one out of billet steel. The Ford OEM style is made out of powdered iron.

 

[Zardin]

I have the torque converter installed and the transmission now fully seated and pulled to the engine. The only problem I'm having now is the flywheel won't turn to get the converter nuts in. Any help is appreciated.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Turn the engine over with a breaker bar, and socket connected to one of the pulley nuts.

 

[Zardin]

Tried that but the nut on the pully just tightened instead of turning the crank. But I'll try it again in the morning. Thanks.

 

[IZwack]

I have the torque converter installed and the transmission now fully seated and pulled to the engine. The only problem I'm having now is the flywheel won't turn to get the converter nuts in. Any help is appreciated.

I didn't think the transmission's bell housing can sit flush w/o the torque converter's studs located properly through the flywheel.

And I dunno if this makes any difference (since the torque converter is a viscous coupler) but maybe try putting the transmission in Neutral.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Try turning the bar both ways. A flywheel turning tool or a good screwdriver might help if you want to turn the flywheel directly by coming into contact with the teeth.

 

[Zardin]

The converter bolts are through the flywheel. But I can't get the flywheel to turn to put the nuts on. Gonna try turning the crank on the front pulley tomorrow after I get done with work.

 

[IZwack]

Yeah which pulley were you cranking on before? Cauz you should be turning the main crankshaft pulley. And I think this is best done from under the vehicle since this pulley is closer to the bottom.

 

[BrooklynBay]

By any chance, did you test the torque converter to see if it could turn in place on the transmission before you installed the transmission?

 

[Zardin]

Yeah. I was using that pulley, from the bottom, with a breaker bar with a pipe stuck on the end for even more leverage. But it just tightened the nut on the pulley instead of turning the crank. But like I said, I'll try it again tomorrow.