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Have I stuffed up my torque converter on engine install?
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 10:55 am
by slyjonno
I've dropped in a replacement engine and finally got it running.
I have no gears now!! (auto) and I hear a ticking/knocking sound. (Speeds up with revs)
What have I messed up here?? I did a search and found a similar post
http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=18045 but he replaced his trans I only changed my engine. i did up all the bolts through the access hole on the motor. Legacy777 said he may have buggered up the seal on the TC input shaft.
I also read somewhere the TC can back its way out and not sync correctly?? Can this be fixed without pulling engine?
I have checked my fluids which are fine (should i run it up to running temp before checking these?)
This is a great resource guys as you may tell im a bit of a subie noobie and I really appreciate any help I get
/kneel and pray I dont have to pull whole engine again!
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 3:28 pm
by Legacy777
Did you remove the torque converter at all?
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 10:07 pm
by slyjonno
No, just removed the four bolts holding the flexplate (?) to it.
Did of course lift the trans up and down to manouver the engine in.
The TC didnt appear to move at all.
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2005 12:22 am
by slyjonno
If I didnt get the driveplate and torque converter in the same position as the ol motor, would this matter>?
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2005 4:10 am
by BAC5.2
How much fluid did you put back into the transmission?
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2005 4:31 am
by slyjonno
Well I didnt touch the trans so none.
I just went and checked the trans fluid and was quite high when cold so I drained a bit out (3 ltrs). Still reads resonably high.
I can see the TC moving when motor is cranked so must be behind that the input shaft?
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2005 5:47 am
by Legacy777
If you checked the tranny fluid with the engine off, you incorrectly checked the level, and drained the necessary fluid out. Put it back in.
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2005 10:33 am
by slyjonno
Damm! I'll put back in, but it has hot/cold dipstick, whats all that about?
The knocking/ticking sound was two of the boltheads that connect the driveplate to the TC hitting something in there. The ends were filed smooth!! This still doesnt explain why I have no gears....... unless the TC has pulled foward a bit and causing the bolts to hit.
(I removed the four bolts and tried in vain to shift the TC back... all through the little access panel!) Looks like im gonna have to pull

Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2005 6:09 pm
by Legacy777
If you don't have enough fluid, the trans won't work.
The hot & cold on the dipstick is there for when the trans temp is cold or hot.
The issue is, you are not checking the level correctly. The car MUST be running.
With the engine running, and at a normal idle speed, you need to park on a level surface, slowly cylce the gear selector from park to 1st, and then back to park. Leave the engine running, and then check the fluid level. If you haven't driven the car to warm up the fluid, then use the "cold" marks.
Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 3:55 am
by slyjonno
Aha I see........Thanks for that..... I have now done this and topped up the trans, still no gears. I am worried it has something to do with the torque convertor alignment when I put the engine in (allthough i didnt move it) Gonna loosen the bellhouse bolts and try rotating the TC to see if it "slots" in better.
Cheers
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 12:18 am
by subeater
OH
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 12:25 am
by slyjonno
er um, are you serious?
somebody ban this fool
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 12:40 am
by Binford
Helluva first impression there, guy! You won't be here long with that kind of talk. Might want to play nice, or go away.
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 6:13 am
by legacycontinues
Thats not very nice....it's just a donkey. (shrek)
Play nice or I will send you to your room with no dinner.
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 8:20 am
by Kelly
Damn, suppose I missed the reply.
3 liters is a hellavalot of fluid to drain.
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 8:53 am
by slyjonno
You didnt miss much just some 12yr old mocking me
Its all g
Yip 3ltrs is a bit, my bad. How much is in the whole trans? 6Ltrs?
Ive been mucking around with the TC for hours now and my brain is mush.... i have confused myself in circles.
The q is how will I know when the TC is properly seated/aligned. Can you turn the TC when its in Park? No? Spin freely when in Neutral?
I have loosened all 4 bellhouse bolts and removed the driveplate to TC bolts then pulled the motor foward a fraction to take pressure off TC just gotta get it to magically "click" into place.
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 9:13 am
by Kelly
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/automatic ... ission.htm
This might give you a better idea of how to diagnose your issues.
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 11:11 am
by slyjonno
Thanks for that ralli. I am now an expert (well) on how a torque convertor works.
Unfortunatley it dosent cover "common problems" or how this needs to go click into here and this pump seal needs to be perfect etc etc
Anyway I have tried again and felt it click into place, cross fingers and will test in the morning. Cheers
For those in the know.... what's easier dropping your tranny or pullin your engine ?
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 3:04 pm
by Legacy777
Depends on what you are planning to do, and if you have an auto or manual.
That auto is a big beast.
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 3:31 pm
by legacycontinues
Yeah those autos a monster. I thought I was going to screw my back up just lifting on the tailside. I had to put one on a pallet...never again.
I hope you have a tranny jack.
Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2005 11:19 pm
by slyjonno
Legacy777 wrote:Depends on what you are planning to do, and if you have an auto or manual.
That auto is a big beast.
I want to re-align the torque convertor, or worst case pull the torque covertor out to find out why it's spinning freely (might have killed the pump?)
Some people have mentioned it would be easier to drop the tranny but i dunno. I may have to replace the tranny anyways.
Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 12:47 am
by Legacy777
Well, if you're in question about the condition of the tranny, I'd probably just drop the tranny.
I really don't know enough about autos to say exactly what is wrong either.....