Tranny installed but big problem

[RedGuru]

Swapped out my a4ld on my 91 2wd but when i went to put the nuts on the torque converter the crank won't budge. Locked-up TC? or bigger problems? I'd hate to have to remove everything again.

 

[410Fortune]

remove the spark plugs?

Sometimes when you are turning the engine over by hand and you get to the top of a compression stroke it can be VERY difficult to turn it further.

A bigger breaker bar on the crank nut will help
BUT

before you do this I want to make sure you stabbed yout TC properly, twising it as you push it back on the input shafts and pump drive. I usually mark the front of the converter on the side of the bellhousing so after I rase the trans I can make sure the converter sits fully back during the entire install

The TC when fully seated on the input pump shaft will have about 1/4"-1/2" of room behind the flex plate, meaning when you install the first of 4 TC nuts the tc should pull forward almost 1/2" into the flex plate.

If not then you may have the converter not fully seated, bolting up the bellhousing with this can damage the converter and more and cause everything to bind.
The fix is to loosen the bellhousing, drop the trans again and ensure the converter is FULLY SEATED

Dont ask me how I know

Also make sure the trans is in N

 

[BrooklynBay]

The torque converter has to be fully seated into the bell housing.

 

[RedGuru]

The torque converter has to be fully seated into the bell housing.

Bingo, i figured it out. Here's the question. If I loosen the bell housing to engine bolts can i turn the flywheel and possibly push in on the torque converter to get it to seat, of am i going to have to remove it completely?

 

[RedGuru]

Or at least pull the tranny back until the bolts are out of the flywheel.

 

[410Fortune]

I would remove most of the bolts, leaving two longer ones to keep the trans in place but allow you enough room to twist the converer and push up on the converter until it seats fully

It is best to drop the trans fully however to check for any damage

Its up to you, its a little bit of work right now to drop it down again whereas its alot of work later to find out the converter/input shafts/ or front seal got damaged when you tightened up the bellhousing and smashed the converter in there.

Mine went back together with no issues when I did this (converter slipped while stabbing) and that trans is still running in Rangerx's wife's explorer sport Probably still has the sharpie marker marks inside the bellhousing I made so I could visually ensure the converter was still seated the on the second attempt

 

[RedGuru]

I'm gonna yank it all the way out tomorrow, better safe than sorry. At least it'll come out quicker this time.

 

[RedGuru]

Easiest way to verify the tc is seated? Don't want to try to reinstall it again until I am sure. Nothing looked bunged up on the input shaft or the front seal. First time I de-installed everything took over a day due to rusted bolts and missing tools. Got it out in under two hours this morning.

 

[RedGuru]

Tranny back in, no problems, test drove it last night. Thanks everyone.

 

[410Fortune]

Saweet

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thanks for the update!