TH-350 Torque Converter Install

Is there a measurement or a good rule of thumb to make sure the TC is in all the way? This one just one doesn't feel right. Thanks.

 

Push on it while you spin it. It should go "clunk" three times and be pushed all the way back into the bellhousing. If you can put your hand behind it, it's not all the way back yet. Hope this helps

Bill

 

measure how far the flex plate is from the back surface of the block, the converter bolt pads need to be at least that far in from the front of the trans case.

 

this is the way i`ve always done it, never had a problem yet.

 

Turn slowly till the lugs fall in place. Like Willy said, if you can get your hand in there it ain't seated. That's how I do it. No VooDoo just develope a feel for it.

 

Thats how i did mine. 3 clunks and your good to go.

 

thats because i told you how to do it.... see it worked.

 

you're a ****, thanks again for the info.

 

I've been taught the 3 clunk rule as well. My buddys ****** is humming along just fine and dandy with no issues over the past couple years so we musta got it right.

 

When you set the trans. you should have about 1/4 between the converter and the flex. Don't use the bolts to pull the engine and trans together and you'll be OK.

 

Sometimes a brand new torque converter is a real ***** to get on because everything is really tight. You just have to keep fighting it, but eventually it'll clunk all the way on.

Squirrels method of measuring it is the way to know for sure. Hold a long straight edge against the front of the bellhousing part and measure back to the lugs on the convertor, and then measure how far past the back of the block face the flex plate sits. There should be a little clearance there so that the converter will slide forward a little when you bolt it to the flexplate.

Make sure the bolt pattern on your converter is the same as the bolt pattern on your flex plate. That's a drag to get it all bolted together and find out you have the wrong flex plate if the holes don't line up.

 

I'm always nervous as hell when I put the converter in, I prolly put it in and take it back out three time, spill fluid everywhere etc.... just always makes me nervous as hell!

 

Yea, but then when your on your back trying to muscle the damn ****** up into the floorboard, and it tilts forward, and the converter falls out onto the ground...

If you have a nice shop with a proper lift and all the tools, the 3 clunk rule works perfectly... But when your rolling around in the dirt in your back-yard with only a floor jack and a cheap chinese socket-set... Then the BFH and cussing method works better

Bottom line, if it aint in there right, you cant bolt the ****** to the engine.

 

Thanks guys. I did this in the driveway, and MAN those transmissions get heavier every year. I put the TC in, rotated it one lug aound, took it off and checked the dogs and slots. Everything had moved together, so I did this a couple more times on the tail gate of my truck and using the "my figers went in this far and everything was engaging" method, stuck it in one more time and went for it. Got it all in, only had to pull the TC up about 1/4 of an inch to the flex plate. Will pull a smoke test on it soon. Hope there's no cast-iron convulsion. Thanks again for the tips.

 

Sounds like you did it right.