kelsey_canard

iTrader: (6)

5.3/th350. Bought already swapped. Pulled the trans to swap converters and like a dumbass, after tightening the bellhousing bolts down, I realized the converter was tight and wouldn't spin freely. Didn't measure the converter yet to see if it was all the way in the trans, but I'm pretty sure it is. I pulled the trans and converter back out and the face of the converter feels like it has trouble sitting flat against the face of the flexplate. Is that spacer on there backwards?

kelsey_canard

iTrader: (6)

Dished flexplate btw. I sold the old converter like and idiot already. So I cant really compare converters. This is an fti3800-4000 though.

Circle-D

iTrader: (21)

You are using the spacer as more of a crank extender, not to space the flexplate. So it might be right, depends on what the converter needs. You might of had a problem and the converter was not stabbed all the way into the transmission. Can you measure the converter pad to bellhousing distance, should be just over an inch? Also snag a pic of the converter from the engine side, we can tell what pilot it has and if you even need the spacer.

Chris

kelsey_canard

iTrader: (6)

Heres a picture. the pilot exceds past the pads about a quarter of an inch. Measured the converter pads to bellhousing and it was right at an inch. So, it should have been installed all the way in the trans. Think i need to ditch the spacer?

Circle-D

iTrader: (21)

Looks like the spacer might be hitting the converter. Can you stab the converter on the flexplate all by itself and see if you can see where it is hitting? Maybe even remove the flexplate and spacer and stack it up on a bench.

Chris

kelsey_canard

iTrader: (6)

Converter face it hitting on the pilot extension before the converter pad to flexpate gap is closed. Pulled the spacer and threw it up on the crank and it JUST BARELY catches the taper of the crank. Seems weird to me.

kelsey_canard

iTrader: (6)

Little more info. Looks like the pilot extension is hitting here on the converter:



Heres a pic of them put together:

Circle-D

iTrader: (21)

I agree, spacer is bottoming out on the converter pilot. That is a dual bolt pattern converter, so you can go to a 4L80 style flat flexplate and put the spacer between the flexplate and crank. I think that will get you the proper clearance.

Chris

kelsey_canard

iTrader: (6)

I dont know if that will help. The issue isn't getting the flexplate to converter gap under control, the issue is the pilot area of the crank/converter. My converter is getting pushed into the pump. As long as you keep that spacer in there the way it was, it wont matter where the flexplate is, the converter will be into the pump too far. I pull the spacer out and the snout on the converter JUST BARELY hits the crank. I could get the pilot on the converter extended, or cut my spacer down some, but Im worried about having ENOUGH of the converter snout in the pilot. How far should the converter pilot be in the crank?

Either that, or I didnt have the converter seated all the ways to begin with. Although, I find it a coincidence if that is the case AND the spacer is wrong too.

kelsey_canard

iTrader: (6)

Had a flat flexplate lying around with a crack in it that I thought I'd throw on to try. Still a gap in there.

Circle-D

iTrader: (21)

Hmmmm.... That is a problem. Might be able to machine some off the spacer to get you some clearance? Or it might be best to use a weld on converter pilot extension. Maybe give FTI a call and see if they have any other suggestions.

Chris

classic_speed

iTrader: (3)

looks like the converter might be an "ls" converter. As in the spacer is not necessary at all?

kelsey_canard

iTrader: (6)

See I thought this might be the case too. I asked the seller I got it from was the specifics were for the application. We will see what he says

kelsey_canard

iTrader: (6)

Also, I tried it with the dished plate and no spacer and it barely hit the pilot in the crank. May work like that, IDK.

Circle-D

iTrader: (21)

To be an LS converter the pilot needs to extend .500" past the converter pad to get into the crank properly. I don't think it is that long judging from the pics.

Chris

kelsey_canard

iTrader: (6)

It's not. Its right at 1/4" past the pads. Probably only 1/2" of usable snout total. Would you say that 1/2" is needed to be seated in the crank properly? How long should the snout be overall?

Circle-D

iTrader: (21)

What matters for pilot engagement is how far past the converter pads the pilot extends. For an LS crank it needs to be at least .500". I prefer .600"

1/4" or .250" is what a SBC/BBC setup will measure.

Chris

kelsey_canard

iTrader: (6)

So, this is likely setup for a gen one with the pilot only entending 1/4" past the pads? I'm thinking about turning my spacer down ~.300 and adding in a spacer to take up the gap in the flexplate. I think that would get me close to where I would need to be as long as have enough room for the pilot to go either way.

BOLO

iTrader: (40)

TCI 399753 Flexplate for LS, spacer included, SFI approved and call it a day.

kelsey_canard

iTrader: (6)

Ok well the seller pm'ed me back and this converter is for a sbc/bbc to th350. So that is likely the issue with the pilot, but shouldn't it work still with the flexplate/spacer I have?