installing tranny....need help!

[351 82GT]

After pulling my tranny down and installing my new Edge converter, I'm having trouble getting the tranny to mount back up to the engine.
I'm doing this project on the ground, which makes it much harder already.
I can get it within an inch of the engine but I just can't seem to snug it up the rest of the way. All the bolt holes seems to be inline so far. I also made sure the converter was seated properly against the pump.
Why won't it go together

 

[rd]

Take the whole thing back down at least on the ground.

It sounds like the torque conveter is not all the way into the trans.

Best way is to pull the converter out again, and see where the flats that engage the pump are located on the converter. Mark one side on the front for reference.

Take a flash light (if you have to) and look into the trans. You should be able to see the matching flat parts in the pump.

Then line the converter flats up with the pump flats and reinstall. It will ususally take some rotating and such to get them to align and engage. Then push the converter all the way home.

When its in there, you should have a bit more depth from the bell housing face to the converter than the flexplate sticks out behind the engine mounting surface.

Then rotate the conveter to align the bolts/studs.

Pain in the rear. Don't force it, when it's all aligned it will go together pretty smooth.

 

[351 82GT]

I'm pretty sure I have the converter seated properly. When I put it on, I spun the converter while pressing the converter on until I heard 3 clicks.
I can still spin the converter, now, which tells me it's still seated properly.
I can try what you suggested but I think it's already seated.....

 

[rd]

If the converter is seated in the trans and pump, measure the depth to be sure. TCI has good instructions on this with their converters.

Next, check that the bolt circle is the same for the converter and the flexplate, and that the pilot hole in the crank is the same diameter as the converter center. Sometimes the conveter will sag down a bit not go in the pilot hole. Gently pry it up a bit if you have to. You could pull the converter and test fit it to the flexplate by itself if you think there is a misfit.

Otherwise, if no miscellaneous stuff is getting in between the engine and trans case, they should slide together. You can use a couple of long bolts, or studs or pieces of threaded rod to try and coax them, but be careful that you dont break something.

 

[351 82GT]

It's not a TCI converter. It's an Edge converter...custom built.
I would say the converter sets about an inch back from the bellhousing face....

 

[dragnazz5.0]

lube the pilot hole in the back of the tranny and just eye ball it to make sure its the right size. i had a hell of a time getting mine to line up right and seat properly when i had the c4. it could be cocked just slightly. all i can say is dont get frustrated with it because thats when stuff breaks and thats when you could get hurt...especially when you are putting a tranny in while laying on your back.

 

[rd]

When I said TCI Converter, I meant that I have TCI stuff, and their directions have a good description of how to measure the converter in the bellhousing to determine if it is in far enought. Should be the same for any converter for that trans.

An inch may or may not be enough. The converter should be slightly deeper into the bellhousing than the flexplate sticks out behind the rear or bellhousing mounting surface of the block. The mounting bolts will draw it forward to the correct position when tightened.