Torque'd about my converter

I am finally reinstalling my engine ('66 I6 & C4 auto) after completing the body work. After mating the torque converter to the mounting plate, the studs on the converter are interferring with the spacer plate. The spacer plate is not warped so I am baffled.

I have about 1/4 in of stud sticking out after I tighten the nuts. How dumb is it to shave a fraction of that off or to use washers? I don't like jerry rigging it. This used to work but I just cant figure it out; I don't want to do something dumb. Neither the original manual nor Chilton talk much about torque converter installation urg!

Any ideas?

Sorry, I thought I was using the terms right out of the parts manual.

Mounting plate is probably the flexplate you mention. I mounts to the crank shaft then the converter attaches to that. No prob mounting toe the flexplate.

Spacer is the term the parts catalog uses, at least Mustangs Unlimited does. It is the flat metal plate the goes between the trans and the block. Its like a metal gasket. It sits on the upper half of where the block and trans mate. The is a circular opening on it where the start mounts as well.

If this doesnt help, I will take pictures but I can't seem to post pictures to this forum.

Thanks for the assist.

Thanks. It the same converter that came with the car when I bought it and at one time it fit. My dad and I had this problem last time we put it together and then it just seemed to work but neither of us can remember what we did. I've had it on and off 8 times trying to make sure its not on wrong.

I will keep trying and see what I can do. If all else fail, I will take off 1/16th or so, thats all it needs.

p.s. Are the flange nuts reuseable if in good shape. Someone told me they should only be used once then replaced. True?