LT1 Based Engine Tech 1993-1997 LT1/LT4 Engine Related

Torque Convert to Flywheel Gap Problem

Old Jun 22, 2003 | 08:08 PM
  #1  
ChevyCamZ28's Avatar
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Exclamation Torque Convert to Flywheel Gap Problem

Guys,

I put my torque converter in my 700r4 today and from what I can tell it engaged fully, I kept turning it and it no longer sinks any deeper or anything.

Well when I bolted the trans to the engine, there is very little gap in between the tabs on the torque converter and the flywheel. I know i'm supposed to have at least 1/16 or so and can't figure out why i don't have this. I kept on trying to push and turn the torque converter into the trans but it just doesn't seem to want to go in anymore which makes me think that it is fully engaged.

The flywheel I put on is a B&M externally balanced flywheel and there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with it. The torque converter isn't stock its a Pro Torque unit.

I can't figure this out, I thought that if the torque converter wasn't engaged fully it would be pushing hard against the flywheel, in my case all it is doing is sitting very close to the flywheel maybe coming a couple of millimeters off it. Could it be that the torque converter is not fully engaged yet still? If that's the case does anyone have any suggestions getting it fully engaged when the trans is bolted to the engine? I really hate to drop it again...

Thanks for any help!

Mike
Old Jun 22, 2003 | 08:52 PM
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revtime's Avatar
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I am going through the same thing right now.
I have a TCI and it says I am supposed to have 1 1/8 inch from the bellhousing mount to the mounting pad on the converter. To make it more confusing it says to take the measurement from the block mounting surface to the edge of the flywheel (converter mounting surface) Measurement B in the instructions, then take the measurment from the bellhousing mount to the mounting pad on the converter Measurement A.
A should be larger than B.
I have this but it aint by much.
It took me three or four tries to get the converter to seat fully (I hope)
Old Jun 22, 2003 | 09:14 PM
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94 NO TOP Z's Avatar
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I would pull the convertor all the way back out and try again.. there should be a decent gap between the convertor and flexplate. I tried about 10 times to get it in all the way one time and it went in a couple of clicks and I thought it was in there good even though it was about flush with the flywheel. Well... it worked for about 1/2 mile before the pump in the tranny exploded. The convertor wasn't in all the way.
Old Jun 22, 2003 | 09:38 PM
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I can,t help but wonder, If I have say a 1/4 inch of clearance between the converter and the flywheel won,t tightening up the converter bolts pull it back out of the tranny? It seems to me that the converter should be damn close to the flywheel so it can bolt right up but, not pull the converter to the flywheel.
Also, if the tranny bolts right up and you don,t have to draw it onto the block with the bolts(which breaks the bellhousing) then the converter is in right, correct?
Old Jun 22, 2003 | 10:06 PM
  #5  
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http://www.autotransinc.com/tchints.htm
Here found this, I think I have that 1/8 to 1/16 gap so I am gonna throw the tranny in.
Old Jun 23, 2003 | 12:30 AM
  #6  
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Yes all you are supposed to have is between 1/16" and 1/8" if you do not have this it will torch the front pump and pissibly bearings in the engine.

If you have to large of a gap you can put washers in between to get it to space out correctly. If you do not space it, it will shear off the two teeth that the convertor mates to within the front pump.
Old Jun 23, 2003 | 06:55 AM
  #7  
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The ideal clearence should be .090 - .125 maximum. If you have more than this, you will need to bring it in range, by using machined washers, and what ever thickness is needed to do this "all three" washers must be "exactly" the same thickness to reduce this clearence. You can measure this (the clearence between the flex plate & torque converter) by using a "feeler" guage, when you start getting resistance, then this is the measurement.
Old Jun 23, 2003 | 01:42 PM
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OK thanks everyone,

Guess I will have to try to try to pull it and see if I can get it to seat. Now that I think about it, I believe it only clicked twice meaning that it probably didn't engage the pump rotor... But its just so weird that it doesn't seem to want to go in anymore.. Oh well i'll have to play around with it until it clicks into place, i can't run it with so little space in between the tabs and flywheel.

Thanks again,

Mike
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