Should there be a gap from converter to flexplate? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Andrew68c10 · 07-23-2003, 10:50 PM

I have my engine in and there's a gap between the flexplate and torque converter of about 3/8". Is this normal? Will it still drive when I bolt them together? It's been so long since I've done this, I have to ask all these stupid questions!

Longhorn Man · 07-23-2003, 10:51 PM

Grab the verter and pull it to the flex plate and bolt it down.
The 3/8 inch is good. That means you seated it into the pump properly.

midyearvet@aol. · 07-23-2003, 10:54 PM

That would be normal. Just slide them together & bolt it up.
Rick-Ca.

71GMC_3/4T · 07-23-2003, 11:13 PM

Andrew,
*That* was NOT a stupid question! I learned something new here today!! I've changed out about 4 (maybe) automatic transmissions so far. Sometimes it's so tight you can't get the torque converter to turn, so you slide it back, spin the TC, and when you put it back together, it somehow fits. I've always wondered how much clearance is correct, now I know! Thanks to your "very good" question and the "damn right" answers on this board.
Cheers, and Thanks!

Longhorn Man · 07-23-2003, 11:50 PM

WOAH...at first I thought 71GMC_3/4T was tellin me it wasn't a stupid question...like i answered with sarcasim. LOL
I agree, no such thing as a stupid question.
On the ford transmissions, the verter has studs in it, when you install it the studs poke through the flexplate. I was unable to tell if it was seated the 2nd time I did one. I found it odd that they did it liek this with studs instead of bolts.
Anyways, i bolted everything up and tried to start it up only to be greated with what I thought was a dead battery. (engine rotating very slow) I hooked up a high amp booster (a start all pack used to jump Freightliners ands the like) and cranked it over like that. As soon as it started, it stalled. The starter was producing more torque than the engine was at idle.
Turned out, the verter was not seated all th way, and I did 500 buck damage to the tranny.
I got lucky and did not get fired.
I shoulda asked the stupid question, that was a year ago and I still catch hell for that when ever I install a tranny at the shop.

Glen · 07-24-2003, 12:05 AM

on a th350 you can lay a straight edge across the front of the bellhousing and measure back to your converter bolt mounting pads and you should have over 1" of distance, if not the converter is not seated all the way back on the trans shaft.

71GMC_3/4T · 07-24-2003, 09:19 AM

Sorry about that "Andy". I guess I should have said "Andrew68c10" so you wouldn't be cornfused!

Yeah, I've always wondered that about Ferd Torque Converters myself. Makes them a real beach to line up, and sometimes the threads get horked up by the flexplate.

Longhorn Man · 07-24-2003, 04:02 PM

No problem 71GMC_3/4T... I was in a grumpy mood and it seemed like the world was after my rear...I feel better now though.

OLDCHEV4X4 · 07-24-2003, 09:19 PM

The trans guy told me that anything thicker than a nickle and a half (a 5 cent coin that is) , and you should put a flat washer in between so the pump wouln't disengage.
Randy

07-23-2003, 10:50 PM	#1
Andrew68c10 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Paso Robles, CA Posts: 178	Should there be a gap from converter to flexplate? I have my engine in and there's a gap between the flexplate and torque converter of about 3/8". Is this normal? Will it still drive when I bolt them together? It's been so long since I've done this, I have to ask all these stupid questions!

07-23-2003, 11:13 PM	#4
71GMC_3/4T Weapons Of Construction Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 1,095	Andrew, That was NOT a stupid question! I learned something new here today!! I've changed out about 4 (maybe) automatic transmissions so far. Sometimes it's so tight you can't get the torque converter to turn, so you slide it back, spin the TC, and when you put it back together, it somehow fits. I've always wondered how much clearance is correct, now I know! Thanks to your "very good" question and the "damn right" answers on this board. Cheers, and Thanks! __________________ 1971 GMC 2500, 402/TH400 4.10 Daily Driver Lafayette, CO

07-24-2003, 09:19 AM	#7
71GMC_3/4T Weapons Of Construction Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 1,095	Sorry about that "Andy". I guess I should have said "Andrew68c10" so you wouldn't be cornfused! Yeah, I've always wondered that about Ferd Torque Converters myself. Makes them a real beach to line up, and sometimes the threads get horked up by the flexplate. __________________ 1971 GMC 2500, 402/TH400 4.10 Daily Driver Lafayette, CO

07-24-2003, 09:19 PM	#9
OLDCHEV4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Chester County PA, USA Posts: 1,228	The trans guy told me that anything thicker than a nickle and a half (a 5 cent coin that is) , and you should put a flat washer in between so the pump wouln't disengage. Randy __________________ 72 k/10 short wideside 72 k/5 Blazer 72 K/5 Blazer - obstacle course racer 72 custom/10 8' bed 70 K/5 Blazer 67 C-30 GMC Flat bed 86 GMC K2500 Plow Truck 85 GMC K3500 84 M1008 85 M1008 77 G30 Motor Home 72 Sears 12hp Tractor Glenmoore, Pennsylvania

07-23-2003, 10:51 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Grab the verter and pull it to the flex plate and bolt it down. The 3/8 inch is good. That means you seated it into the pump properly.

07-23-2003, 10:54 PM	#3
midyearvet@aol. Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Napa, Ca. Posts: 103	That would be normal. Just slide them together & bolt it up. Rick-Ca.

07-23-2003, 11:50 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	WOAH...at first I thought 71GMC_3/4T was tellin me it wasn't a stupid question...like i answered with sarcasim. LOL I agree, no such thing as a stupid question. On the ford transmissions, the verter has studs in it, when you install it the studs poke through the flexplate. I was unable to tell if it was seated the 2nd time I did one. I found it odd that they did it liek this with studs instead of bolts. Anyways, i bolted everything up and tried to start it up only to be greated with what I thought was a dead battery. (engine rotating very slow) I hooked up a high amp booster (a start all pack used to jump Freightliners ands the like) and cranked it over like that. As soon as it started, it stalled. The starter was producing more torque than the engine was at idle. Turned out, the verter was not seated all th way, and I did 500 buck damage to the tranny. I got lucky and did not get fired. I shoulda asked the stupid question, that was a year ago and I still catch hell for that when ever I install a tranny at the shop.

07-24-2003, 12:05 AM	#6
Glen Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 189	on a th350 you can lay a straight edge across the front of the bellhousing and measure back to your converter bolt mounting pads and you should have over 1" of distance, if not the converter is not seated all the way back on the trans shaft.

07-24-2003, 04:02 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	No problem 71GMC_3/4T... I was in a grumpy mood and it seemed like the world was after my rear...I feel better now though.



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