I'm trying to get a 1993ish 350 bolted to a th400 using a TCI torque converter and the stock flexplate ...this is the first time Iv'e bolted on anything but a manual tranny so I have a stupid question.

This motor started out with a manual tranny flywheel on it, when I bolt the engine and tranny together I have almost a 1/4" between the flexplate and the torqe converter bolts. This makes me wonder if I'm supposed to have a shim between the crank and flexplate.

So what's normal for these motors? shim or no shim or does it depend on how much of a gap you end up with?

Pull the convertor forward and bolt it up. No spacers nedded.

The torque converter has a snout that seats in the end of the crank. If it was manual before, your pilot bushing or bearing may be getting in the way.

Yeah make sure the pilot bearing from the manual setup has been removed.
Pain in the ass, you will need a slide hammer to get it out if you haven't done so already.

The grease trick works too... but it tends to be messy.

the pilot bearing is long gone...just put that in there to illustrate that I might or might not have all the parts I need...I double checked the part number on my converter and bolted it up...thanks for the help guys