Stroker2112

Guys,

I just bolted up a new 4L65E with a 10.5" PI Vigilante 3000..I fully seated the converter before lifting/bolting up the trans. When I went to bolt up the converter to the flexplate, there was at least a 1" gap between the two. Is this right?....should the flexplate bolts pull the converter back towards the engine block that far?....Why would it seat so deep only to pulled back?

Just don't want to ruin the converter/trans if I can help it...

Stroker2112

Joel_SS

iTrader: (8)

you may have to use some spacers.. I would call PI..

FLT

iTrader: (1)

No a 1" gap is way off. It should be about 3/16" between the mounting pads and the flex plate.

Stroker2112

Vince,
3/16" after the bolts are installed....right?...What I'm saying is the 1" gap was there before I put the bolts in...the bolts pulled it in (towards the flex) and now the gap is approx 3/16"...

Stroker2112

sssalah

The 3/16" gap is bofore the bolts, after it's tightened it should be face to face. Maybe it's not the right converter for this application.

02 BLK WS6

iTrader: (11)

I hope you haven't started the motor..... If you have the tranny pump is probably toasted.

FLT

iTrader: (1)

Have you had the flywheel off your motor? I'm woundering if you have installed it backwards.

Stroker2112

Yes, that is what I'm thinking too...I'll drop the 65E again and flip the flywheel to see it that closes the gap...


Stroker2112

02 BLK WS6

iTrader: (11)

A friend of mine just called me, he is having the same issue. He bolted the converter to the flexplate and started the car. I asked him what it did and he told me that it made a grinding sound. He busted the pump gear drive. I have a 13 vane kit that I offered to sell him since I haven't even pulled the tranny yet.

I'm not sure about the shimming, I would call PI and ask them before you do anything. Do not start it like this or the pump will need rebuilding.

PBA

If you have a 1" gap between the flexplate and torque converter, there is something drastically wrong here. "DO NOT" go any further, call P.I. about this!!! Ideal clearance is .080" - .125".

Stroker2112

Guys,
OK...I just measured again and got 11/32" from flex to mounting pad...(5/8" from the flex to the tc body)... sorry for any confusion...but it's still almost twice as big a gap then 3/16"....should I still use a washer to compensate or not?

Stroker2112

02 BLK WS6

iTrader: (11)

You need to measure not from the converter body itself, but from the bolt mounting pad surface to the flexplate with the converter pushed into the tranny. From the bolt mounting pads to the flexplate should be less then 3/16 of an inch or less. Ideal is about 1/8 to 1/16. Anything more than 3/16 the converter will not engage the pump and will free spin in the tranny breaking the pump keys. The front of the converter that slides in the tranny has 2 notches (one on each side) that have to line up with the pump in the tranny. I'll see if I can snap a couple of photos to show you what I am talking about. I have helped a couple of friends that have just installed converters and didn't line up the converter and pump.

02 BLK WS6

iTrader: (11)

Here is a pic of the guts to the pump. Notice I circled the nipples on the pumps parts and the part of the converter that is suppose to mate with it to turn the pump.