I'll blow it up, I swear!

[GrandeStang73]

I have a 1973 mustang, came with a 351C 2V. BORRRING. So i bought a 1971 351C 4V and a late-model C-4 tranny. Laid the tranny in and bolted the engine on the mounts. The tranny bolts right up to the tranny except that the torque converter bolts wont come through the flexplate. WTF! Am I supposed to pull the converter forward? Im stuck between a rock and a hard place! I NEED HELP!!!

 

[Cobain03]

wanting to blow it up comes with ALL projects trust me. ive been known to saying "im gonna drive it through a wall" "gonna shoot it" and everything else.

sorry that i have no real answer. just hang in there

 

[xoxbxfx]

yes, you need to pull the converter forward off the pump. Make sure the converter is seated all the way back before installing it. Then you pull the converter forward. I would HIGHLY suggest pulling it forward, then turn the motor over and slowly tighten down the bolts. I have seen many a times people pull the converter on one side and tightning down the bolt, then turn it over and tighten as they go. You can get the converter cockeyed sorta stuck. When you fire up that motor and the converter spins, you ruin the converter, input shaft and usually the front pump.

Just remember to pull one side forward, turn the motor 180* and pull the other side forward. Snug down a bolt by hand, then turn it 180* and snut that bolt down by hand. Install the rest and I tighten them using oppiset sides. The same reason you dont tighten lug nuts in a circular pattern, rather a star pattern

 

[electricgreen]

We had a weird problem similar to this that drove us absolutely crazy for hours. Was a stupid simple thing-the motor we got used, and it was originally mated to a stick shift tranny-the bearing was still on it and it wouldn't let the converter seat properly.

Also, make sure its lined up right, there might be a different bolt pattern that requires it to be put on only one way...

 

[xoxbxfx]

We had a weird problem similar to this that drove us absolutely crazy for hours. Was a stupid simple thing-the motor we got used, and it was originally mated to a stick shift tranny-the bearing was still on it and it wouldn't let the converter seat properly.

Also, make sure its lined up right, there might be a different bolt pattern that requires it to be put on only one way...

The torque converter should ahve evenly spaced holes unlike the flexplate where it bolts to the motor.

 

[GrandeStang73]

You guys are life savers! These ideas wont cause me to pull my hair out. Although it would of been fun to blow it up, then thats against stangnet "loving mustangs" policy. Appreciate always, im sure ill be back for more Q's!! :SNSign:

 

[rbohm]

grandestang73, where in VA are you? i am in shenandoah national park myself.

 

[electricgreen]

The torque converter should ahve evenly spaced holes unlike the flexplate where it bolts to the motor.

Duh. trying to listen and type and read...

 

[krash kendall]

Make sure the torque converter drain plug (if equipped) is lined up with its corresponding hole on the flexplate before tightening it down or you will experience horrendous noises when you start it up!

 

[xoxbxfx]

Duh. trying to listen and type and read...

lol

 

[spirockp]

We had a weird problem similar to this that drove us absolutely crazy for hours. Was a stupid simple thing-the motor we got used, and it was originally mated to a stick shift tranny-the bearing was still on it and it wouldn't let the converter seat properly.

Also, make sure its lined up right, there might be a different bolt pattern that requires it to be put on only one way...

Been there, done that.

The bearing "Electricgreen" is talking about is in the rear of the crank.

 

[jmenke]

Krash,
funny you mentioned the drain plug. Had the same idea.
I did that once, in too much of a hurry, late night, needed to study for exams.
Sure does make a lot of noise.
I ruined the flex plate also. Luckily a local shop had one.
This stupid mistake cost me about $40 for the plate (in '86), and another good day of rework.