Torque converter removal

mbalbritton

mbalbritton

#@$%!
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Location
Lakeland, FL
Soooooo, I got a little over zealous last night when separating my Th400 from the 304. It’s been several years since I pulled an automatic and I forgot about unbolting the torque converter from the flex plate. Now I’ve got a partially separated trans/engine sitting on the floor and they are seemingly stuck. Now that they are misaligned from going back together and a major pain in the ass for me to get bolted back together so that I can safely lift it up with the hoist and access the inspection plate.

So the question is, what need to happen to get the TQ to let loose of the input shaft so that I can get these apart leaving the TQ attached to the engine? I’ve got about a 2” gap between the engine and bell housing right now.
 
remove the tc bolts first to free up the trans / tc combo.

Then remove the tc from trans.
 
Get the alignment somewhat straight, crank centerline to trans centerline. This will allow you to slide the trans input out of the TC.
Then once out of the way you can unbolt the TC from flywheel.

Kinda like alignment of sliding manual trans input out of clutch pressure plate.
 
Mac5005 said:
Get the alignment somewhat straight, crank centerline to trans centerline. This will allow you to slide the trans input out of the TC.
Then once out of the way you can unbolt the TC from flywheel.

Kinda like alignment of sliding manual trans input out of clutch pressure plate.
Click to expand...


This is the way, just easier said than done th400 wont be the easiest transmission to wiggle around.
 
braxton357 said:
This is the way, just easier said than done th400 wont be the easiest transmission to wiggle around.
Click to expand...
Me thinks the flex plate or starter gear is still bolted up. The converter locks to the trans like a keyed coupler doesn't it? Like push on turn lock push turn......or something? Then you mate the unit to the flex plate upon marrying the engine and trans assembly. Flex plate being bolted to the crank.

I made this mistake putting one together without doing the turn push turn thing to put a converter in a Ford trans. The result was a busted front pump and immediate tear down. Maybe Chevy is different.

Unless......I'm keyboard thinking. You intend to spin (unlock) the converter as you pull them apart? This method in my head seems harder and more likely to cause damage.
 
There are three "steps" it has to engage the keyed pump and splined stator and input shaft but they all just slide in and out, sometimes not easily
 
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