View Full Version : Torque Converter hits crank


judge692
11-20-2007, 05:13:39 PM
I am attempting to put a turbo 400 from a 1989 Suburban behind a 1965 327 that had a 4 speed mated to it. Changed flexplate/flywheel to automatic neutral balanced. When bolting tranny to engine everything is fine until I cinch it up the last 1/8 inch or so and it starts to bind. Pulled it apart and started looking and measuring and thinking....... Come to find out the torque Converter has a nub or nipple if you will that sticks out of the center of it about an inch that is about 1 3/4 inches across that is hitting the crank flange. The hole in the crank is about 1 5/8. Is this nipple supposed to be small enough to go inside the crank? I don't remember seeing this nub on other torque converters, seems to me that they are just held by the 3 bolts. The converter is seated all the way back. With this part hitting the crank I won't be able to pull the converter forward to bolt it in. Probably a simple solution for someone who deals with tranny's but I'm baffled. HELP Thanks, Kevin

jakeshoe
11-20-2007, 05:19:12 PM
All torque converters have that, it indexes the converter into the crank so that it runs true, the 3 bolts only secure it, they aren't anywhere near accurate enough to center it.

Be sure the converter pilot doesn't have a burr on it.
You may have to pull the pilot bushing out of the crank.

It "should" fit AFAIK all GM cranks used the same index diameter since the 1960s or earlier.

GetMore
11-20-2007, 06:21:16 PM
You may have to pull the pilot bushing out of the crank.
I think that's it, right there.

theflash
11-20-2007, 08:48:04 PM
I'm willing to bet you don't have it seated all the way.

mrdragster1970
11-20-2007, 09:55:43 PM
.

Agreed, sometimes it's a frigging pain to find that last groove.
I personally use a 3/16th space between converter & flex plate.
Keep trying, you're find the sweet spot. Good luck.

.

judge692
12-11-2007, 09:06:52 PM
Thanks for the replies, finally got back to this. Pulled the pilot bushung out and tried again. Torque converter is seated. Engine is hanging from cherry picker and tranny is sitting on wooden box about a foot high. Mated tranny to engine with two corner bolts, checked and I could still turn crank pulley by hand and converter spins with it but will still spin seperately too. Put the rest of the bolts in and tightened and then checked the crank pulley and could not spin it. The flex plate is about 3/8 to 7/16 away from the converter at the raised bolt mounting points. Tried pulling the converter toward the flex plate by tightening a bolt but it seemed to want to move the flex plate and not the converter so I backed off.

Pulled it all apart again to check the converter and the pilot bushing hole and the end of the crank seems a little beat up from the clutch engagement over the years. What would be the best way to ream this out? Or can I grind a small amount from around the centering part of the converter? Thanks, Kevin

rscamaro73
12-11-2007, 10:20:43 PM
I was going to suggest your flexplate was on backwards.....glad you got it fixed.