Problems with TC attaching to Flexplate...HELP!!

[Mike from Jersey]

Posting this for a friend. He is installing a balance shaft motor in his SY, and the TC will come forward to within an 1/8 of an inch of the flexpalte and then won't budge, as if something is interfering. He had the bolts started, trying to pull the TC forward, but the flexplate started to bend. The TC was changed from stock to the to a GM '85-'86 Vette unit. Does anyone have any idea where the problem is.
Appreciate any help.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Captain Morgan]

the only thing I can think that would interfer would be where the center of the flywheel (crankshaft) meets up with the center of that converter. is the converter painted?

the easiest way to be 100% sure is to yank the motor out and pull the converter and do a test fit and see if there are any problems.

i mean if the bellhousing is square, flush, secure, tight, whatever you wanna call, it to the back of the block what else is gonna stop it??

 

[DanenGraham]

Sounds like what i did, I put it on backwards (flexplate) and the weight on the side was hitting the TC.

 

[skata]

the little indentations around the torque convertor bolt holes (in the flywheel) should be pointing towards the trans.
why not try spinning the convertor while pushing towards the engine and see if that helps.

 

[Eric Fischer]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, it is my motor the Mike is referring too.

I verified that the flywheel is indeed installed correctly (the balance weights are toward the front of the truck).

I am able to spin the torque converter freely. I can't see any obstruction for why the TC won't seat. This whole thing has me baffled!

Any other ideas?

 

[Trizney]

I am going to have to go with what morgan said. It looks like you are going to have to pull the engine to see what is up. I just got done doing this to mine, and I had no problems. You have the starter off, right?

Trey

 

[Lynn D. Brown]

the little indentations around the torque convertor bolt holes (in the flywheel) should be pointing towards the trans.

Is everyone in agreement with that ? If so, then I've got my flywheel - no flexplate - in backwards. Which may explain why the starter gear on my CVR starter drive teeth only go about 2/3 of the way back on the flexplate teeth.

So let's get it straight again, so I'm sure of this - There is a depression on one side of the Flexplate and a corresponding raised portion on the other side where the TC bolts go thru, right ? So, the bolts on the front side of the plate should rest against the raised part, and not on the depressed side ? Oh, well, one more god-damned F-Up for me ? I looked in the Sonoma/Jimmy manual and the picture was a bit vague, but it looked like the raised portion went to the back. U woulda thought the assholes would have have put "Front" on one of the sides.

However, mine bolted up, and the other guys TC/Flexplate wouldn't ?

 

[TurboManiacal]

The only real-world experience I can offer this thread:

Put locktite on your bolts holding your TC to the motor. :-?

 

[skata]

LYNN D BROWN,

the raised part goes against the torque convertor.

the top side that you see goes against the torque convertor.

 

[Trizney]

I could have sworn, but I remeber seeing imprinted in the metal something like, "this side faces engine".

Trey