automatic tranny/engine install - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

crosby · 11-20-2004, 11:14 PM

hello, it's been a while since I've swapped motors... even longer for automatic transmissions. what do I do, bolt the flexplate to the crank, and then what with the converter? I'm not doing it right now, but in a week or two and want to have a plan of attack... Thanks!!

87 K20 350/350

someday I will pull the cab and box off the K20 and put it on my rotted 85 K30 with the 14 bolt FF rear and dana 60 front, TH400 and NP205.

Jonboy · 11-20-2004, 11:19 PM

there will be three bolts holding the converter to the flexplate. Make sure the converter is pushed all the way in, or catostrauphic breakage will result.

crosby · 11-21-2004, 01:13 AM

hi Jon. So the converter should be bolted to the flexplate, which is bolted to the crank? I remember something about hearing three clicks when you slide the converter into the tranny. Thank you!

badone07 · 11-21-2004, 02:40 AM

If the motor and trans are swinging in together, torque on the flexplate. Place converter into trans, push in while spinning, so that it fully seats into the pump. Then bolt the trans bellhousing to the motor. Converter should freewheel, without any binding. You can leave the converter unbolted and bolt it to the flexplate after the combo is installed in the vehicle.

If just the motor is going in then place converter into transpush in while spinning, so that it fully seats into the pump. Torque flexplate to crank. Place in motor, bolt up trans bellhousing. Converter should freewheel, without any binding. Then you can bolt converter to flexplate.

Jonboy · 11-21-2004, 03:21 AM

yep. You just need to make sure the converter is pushed in all the way so it doesn't bind on the pump when you put the engine and trans together.

Are you putting them in as a unit, or the engine and then the trans?

Tx Firefighter · 11-21-2004, 08:25 AM

You can tell when the converter is seated into the transmission fully because your fingertips won't fit between the converter and the inside of the bellhousing around the top.

bigblock73 · 11-21-2004, 11:21 AM

Be sure to fill the converter with ATF before sliding it into the trans.

Also, to be sure the converter is all the way in, turn it back and forth until it won't go in any firther...and I think it is in fact three clicks or something like that. Either way, you won't be able to bolt the trans to the engine if it isn't seated all the way

Good luck.

crosby · 11-27-2004, 10:47 PM

hi guys, thanks for your help. The tranny is already in there, just planning on sticking the motor in. I am moving to a new house in about two weeks, plan on dragging the donor there then, and having at it. Maybe I should rebuild the 350 first... Would make sense. Thanks for your help.

11-20-2004, 11:14 PM	#1
crosby Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 437	automatic tranny/engine install hello, it's been a while since I've swapped motors... even longer for automatic transmissions. what do I do, bolt the flexplate to the crank, and then what with the converter? I'm not doing it right now, but in a week or two and want to have a plan of attack... Thanks!! 87 K20 350/350 someday I will pull the cab and box off the K20 and put it on my rotted 85 K30 with the 14 bolt FF rear and dana 60 front, TH400 and NP205.

11-20-2004, 11:19 PM	#2
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	there will be three bolts holding the converter to the flexplate. Make sure the converter is pushed all the way in, or catostrauphic breakage will result. __________________ 1974 Jimmy- 5.3/4L80e/NP241

11-21-2004, 02:40 AM	#4
badone07 Project 2 Resume Join Date: May 2004 Location: Jim Thorpe, PA Posts: 884	If the motor and trans are swinging in together, torque on the flexplate. Place converter into trans, push in while spinning, so that it fully seats into the pump. Then bolt the trans bellhousing to the motor. Converter should freewheel, without any binding. You can leave the converter unbolted and bolt it to the flexplate after the combo is installed in the vehicle. If just the motor is going in then place converter into transpush in while spinning, so that it fully seats into the pump. Torque flexplate to crank. Place in motor, bolt up trans bellhousing. Converter should freewheel, without any binding. Then you can bolt converter to flexplate. __________________ John 1984 C30 Chevy Crew Cab Dually 1998 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 2004 Chevy Trailblazer 4x4 (wife's) 1970 Mustang FB fully tubed (getting 521 BBF & powerglide) 1978 Nova 2dr (going BBCaddy & S.P. th400) 1984 Monte SS (circle track car)

11-21-2004, 03:21 AM	#5
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	yep. You just need to make sure the converter is pushed in all the way so it doesn't bind on the pump when you put the engine and trans together. Are you putting them in as a unit, or the engine and then the trans? __________________ 1974 Jimmy- 5.3/4L80e/NP241

11-21-2004, 08:25 AM	#6
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	You can tell when the converter is seated into the transmission fully because your fingertips won't fit between the converter and the inside of the bellhousing around the top. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

11-21-2004, 01:13 AM	#3
crosby Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 437	hi Jon. So the converter should be bolted to the flexplate, which is bolted to the crank? I remember something about hearing three clicks when you slide the converter into the tranny. Thank you!

11-21-2004, 11:21 AM	#7
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,824	Be sure to fill the converter with ATF before sliding it into the trans. Also, to be sure the converter is all the way in, turn it back and forth until it won't go in any firther...and I think it is in fact three clicks or something like that. Either way, you won't be able to bolt the trans to the engine if it isn't seated all the way Good luck. __________________ Jeff 73-87.com 73-87.com Facebook page 73-87 cab corner 6x9 speaker brackets for sale 67-72 cab corner speaker brackets for sale 47-54 cab corner speaker brackets for sale

11-27-2004, 10:47 PM	#8
crosby Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 437	hi guys, thanks for your help. The tranny is already in there, just planning on sticking the motor in. I am moving to a new house in about two weeks, plan on dragging the donor there then, and having at it. Maybe I should rebuild the 350 first... Would make sense. Thanks for your help.



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