i have a 96 chevy 1500 pick up with LT1 and turbo 350 tranny. and i am having a problem with the converter coming disengaged from the input shaft on the tranny. this is the seconed time it has done it. what should be done to fix this problem?

 

What you are experiencing should not be possible. The space between the tranny and back of engine should not allow the torque converter to slide forward enough to disengage from the pump shaft.

Is there a space between the engine and tranny (an adapter possibly)?

If the Torque converter isn't installed so that the pump pawls don't seat on the slots on the torque converter and the tranny and engine are forced together either the torque converter could have been damaged, the flexplate mangled or the shaft on the tranny forced inward.

Of course if the engine / torque converter / tranny combination isn't matched properly there may be a need to use an adapter or spacer to correctly locate the torque converter.

 

how much space should there be between the converter and flywheel with the converter engaged all the way. then i should be abel to tell how much spacing to start with?

 

3/16 to 1/8 of an inch, ideally 1/8. any more than that and you risk destroying the pump on the trans.