Stupid New.B ? - Torque Converter...

[ButteCo]

I just bought a used (but supposedly re-built) TH350 Tranny and it came with what looks to be a very clean torque converter - my questions are as follows:

* I picked up the torque converter and it rattles a little bit (only when I shake it), like the inner turbines etc... are loose? It isn't full of fluid or anything so I assume that is normal - but I guess I should ask: Is it supposed to be totally solid???

* I guess the torque converter gets filled with fluid through the tranny? But am I supposed to fill it with fluid before I install it?

* Is there a trick to locking the torque converter onto the tranny input shaft? Or is it just basic slide on and twist to lock? I have heard of people breaking pumps etc... by not doing this part right and would like to avoid being a statistic...

* Since I bought the torque converter and it came already detached from the tranny, do I connect it to the tranny and then attach the tranny and torque converter to the flexplate as a single unit? Also - does the alignment of the torque converter matter on the flexplate - do I just attach it or do I have to know which bolt holes match up to hole on the torque converter?

I know these are pretty stupid questions - but I have never messed with an auto tranny before - It is totally different than a manual transmission...


Thanks in advance...

[Skedar2]

A slight rattle is normal, as long as nothing seems to be flaoting around. Before installing it filling it with fluid is a good idea. MAke absolute sure the convertor is completely seated on the input shaft, it is a good idea to pushit on as far as it will go then turn it a couple times and push it on more. Make absolute sure it is all the way on before assembly or you will be sure that carnage is inevitable. And lastly make sure all the bolt holes line up on the flexplate, I usually install a bolt or two loosely first then turn the engine over and check that all bolt holes are lining up.

[ButteCo]

Thanks for the confirmation of the rattle.

"MAke absolute sure the convertor is completely seated on the input shaft"

I have never installed a auto-tranny before (as previously stated)... How do I know if the converter is all the way on the the input shaft? I mean I guess I just slide it all the way on and the twist it - But which way will I want to twist it; Clockwise or Counter clockwise? I assume I want to "lock" it on correct?

"it is a good idea to pushit on as far as it will go then turn it a couple times and push it on more."

In order to turn it, will I need to shift the tranny out of Park, or do I want to turn it with the tranny in park??? (again I am a total newbie???)


"And lastly make sure all the bolt holes line up on the flexplate, I usually install a bolt or two loosely first then turn the engine over and check that all bolt holes are lining up."

This sounds like it would snap the bolts? Are you saying that I install 2 bolts out of the total amount, and then turn the motor over with the starter? or by hand? If I turn it over with the starter the motor will start up and won't that be bad to spin the torque converter if the bolts aren't installed??? Seems like it would snap or break something!!!!

Do you usually install the torque converter first then slide on the tranny? Or do you do the tranny and converter together as 1 unit???

THANKS FOR THE HELP!

~butteco

[ButteCo]

?

[CrustyJeep]

Originally Posted by ButteCo

Do you usually install the torque converter first then slide on the tranny? Or do you do the tranny and converter together as 1 unit???

Put the converter on the tranny first. Give it a couple turns with light pressure to make sure it is fully seated.

It will become obvious about the time the bell housing starts to aproach the engine block. The converter should stay put as long as you don't tip the tranny forward while installing. The converter will mate to the flex plate with minor fiddling as you mate up the bellhousing. Get the bellhousing mated tight and bolted up, then rotate the converter and flexplate until the bolt holes line, then one by one put each bolt in loosly, rotating the engine to get access to each one, then torque 'em down once they'e all in.

Oh, uh, turn the engine over by hand while doing the T/C bolts. The tranny doesn't care what gear it's in for this operation.

Under not circumstances should you have to use the bell housing bolts to 'suck' the bell housing up to the engine. If it won't mate up easily, you fawked up. Take it down and see what's wrong.

I broke a pump once, back in my younger and even dumber days... Live and learn DAMN NOOBS

[ButteCo]

"I broke a pump once, back in my younger and even dumber days... Live and learn DAMN NOOBS "

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I AM TRYING TO AVOID...

Okay so let me see if I got this straight.

My Transmission has an input and output shaft. The input shaft has TWO spline sections on it. One larger spline section(tranny side of shaft) and one smaller spline section(motor side of shaft). As the tranny sits in my front porch, I can turn the smaller spline section with my hand and the output shaft turns, BUT I CAN'T TURN THE LARGER SPLINE SECTION (I am guessing it is because that is what mates to something in the torque converter and is supposed to be stationary - meaning not supposed to turn?)...

I went ahead and did as you said - I picked up the NEW torque converter(t/c) and slid it on the output shaft and slightly rotated it as I pushed it all the way on and it slid right down into the bellhousing and seems like it is seated properly; now that is all I have to do correct? I don't need to "lock" it into place or do anything other than make sure it is fully seated on the input shaft, correct - the t/c will be locked on the input shaft by installing the tranny to the motor correct?

As it now sits - the t/c spins freely, and the output shaft spins when the t/c is turned.

AM I CORRECT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER DOES NOT GET LOCKED ON TO THE INPUT SHAFT, BUT IN FACT IS HELD IN PLACE BY WAY OF THE BELLHOUSING BOLTS CONNECTING TO THE MOTOR AND THEN THE T/C BOLTS TO THE FLEXPLATE? (meaning it shouldn't slide around once the bellhousing is mated, and that the bellhousing should make full contact with the motor BEFORE any of the bolts are screwed in? )

And one more stupid question:

How does the tranny fill up the torque converter? I don't see any way for fluid to travel from the tranny to the torque converter??? Should I pour 3 or 4 quarts of oili n the torque converter before I put it on the input shaft? Is it possible to OVERFILL the t/c with tranny fluid????


THANKS FOR THE GOOD HELP!

[Skedar2]

YOu are correct the torque convertor does not get locked onto the shaft in any way. Sometimes though when you push the t/c on it will only go on half way, in which case turning it by hand should allow it to slip on the whole way. I always find filling the T/c with fluid to be a good idea, the tranny will fill it but slowly at first, fill the t/c, bolt everything up as stated. Dont force anything, it should all come together smoothly if it is seated properly, align your bolt holes up and hand tighten the bolts one by one till they are all in place. Then torque the bolts down, you might want to get a buddy to place a large socket on the crank pulley to stop the engine from turning when torquing the bolts to the flexplate. After it is all torqued make sure your tranny has adequate fluid and start the engine, I usually leave the trany in neutral, allow the transmission fluid time to circulate and build pressure completely filling the t/c. Keep on eye on fluid levels, and add fluid as needed, let it idle for about 10- 15 mins keeping an eye for any leaks and fluid level.