Question about installing my torque converter in my LS1

Today I put my converter in my trans but how do I know if its fully seated to the pump? should the back balloon part of the converter be seated against the pump? I just wanna make sure the converter is fully in before I bolt the trans back to the flywheel. How would I know if the converter is fully seated?

If it isn't fully seated, it will have a floppy feel to it when you try to move it up and down. It will also be obvious when you try to bolt up tranny. There should be a small gap (~1/8") between the converter lugs and the flexplate. If converter isn't fully seated, the tranny will not bolt up flush to the back of the engine. There will be an obvious gap, say 1/4", between bellhousing and back of engine. I've seen guys break tranny bellhousings trying to use the bolts to force it on in these situations. Tranny should pop on easily, if it doesn't, pull it back and investigate.

Also, I've seen it where paint on the center pilot of the converter prevented the converter from fully seating into the back of the crank and make it seem like the converter wasn't all the way on. I like to use crocus cloth or fine sandpaper to polish the pilot's outer diameter, then use a light coat of grease on it so that it slides right into place in the back of the crank.

to reiterate one thing he said ^...


DO NOT TORQUE THE BOLTS TO PULL THE CONVERTER TO THE FLEXPLATE (you called it a flywheel, but its a flexplate) the little square pieces with the bolt holes in them should be touching what they are bolting to.... do not allow any gap when you go to tighten the bolts.

when you fill the torque converter with trans fluid about how much trans fluid do you put in it?

You should hear/feel 3 distinct clicks as you rotate the TC on the input shaft.

Once the converter is fully seated on the input shaft, use a straight edge and a tape measure to see if the converter lugs are 1" or more from the trans bellhousing mating face. This will ensure proper engagement.

Yes when you install the converter it will sink into the transmission with a few turns.

slowly pour like one quart atf fluid in the converter and let it settle for a few minutes before putting it on the tranny... that'll be enough to keep it from starting dry