how to install torque converter
how to install torque converter 
11-20-2005, 10:16 PM
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Man, just start yanking stuff, lol. It's pretty straightforward, those instructions are great though. Bascially, you're gonna pull the exhaust, y-pipe and catback. Next, unbolt the driveshaft from the rear end. 4 bolts holding that together. You may need to pull the torque arm to get the driveshaft out, I did. Others just unbolt the torque arm from the trans tailshaft and swing it out of the way. Pull the starter and place a 23mm socket and breaker bar on the crank and turn it to find the flexplate-converter bolts. There's three of 'em. Next, slide a jack under the tranny pan, and use a piece of plywood to distribute the weight so you don't dent the pan. Unbolt the trans x-member and gently lower the trans until you see the two bellhousing bolts on the top of the trans. There is eight in all. Unbolt them all (you'll need at least 36" of extensions and swivel socket). The trans won't go anywhere just yet cause of the guide pins that guide the trans against the motor. Slowly pull the trans away from the motor and drop it. Pull it out from under the car. Pull the stock verter off (it's very heavy). Fill up the new verter with fluid and slide it onto the pump. Push and rotate clockwise until you hear three clicks.
Next, reassemble everything. Make sure when you slide the trans onto guide pins and up against the motor the converter still moves freely. Otherwise you'll take out the pump.
After you've got the bellhousing bolts torqued down, spin the converter and the flexplate appropriately to get the first bolt started. Remeber, you're doing just that, starting the first bolt. As you tighten the flexplate-verter bolts, you're pulling the verter against the flexplate. The first past, you should just snug up the bolts just before it pulls the converter forward. Then on the second pass you can tighten all the way.
After talking to Dave from Rock-On, I learned that is best way to bolt up the converter. If you tighten the first bolt all the way, you end up putting too much stress on the flexplate and it could crack.
Hope this helps to simplify things a bit. It can seem overwhelming at first, but it's more labor than actual know how. Just pull **** apart and put it back together. Not too technical.
Good luck
Next, reassemble everything. Make sure when you slide the trans onto guide pins and up against the motor the converter still moves freely. Otherwise you'll take out the pump.
After you've got the bellhousing bolts torqued down, spin the converter and the flexplate appropriately to get the first bolt started. Remeber, you're doing just that, starting the first bolt. As you tighten the flexplate-verter bolts, you're pulling the verter against the flexplate. The first past, you should just snug up the bolts just before it pulls the converter forward. Then on the second pass you can tighten all the way.
After talking to Dave from Rock-On, I learned that is best way to bolt up the converter. If you tighten the first bolt all the way, you end up putting too much stress on the flexplate and it could crack.
Hope this helps to simplify things a bit. It can seem overwhelming at first, but it's more labor than actual know how. Just pull **** apart and put it back together. Not too technical.
Good luck
