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th400 swap converter problem?

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Old May 10, 2009 | 04:59 PM
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Default th400 swap converter problem?

So i have a sbc converter w/ the tci flexplate and space/adapter, i bolted up the trans up and the converter got tight to spin after bolting up the trans, anytime ive installed a trans the converter was usually loose untill i bolted it down but im not sure if this spacer would have anything to do with it?
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Old May 10, 2009 | 09:23 PM
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Make sure that the pilot on the converter is nice and clean. Also make sure that the spacer does not have any burs on it. You did install the flexplate to the crank and then the pilot spacer? Also are you sure that the converter is fully installed? Just a few things to take a look at. Vince
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Old May 10, 2009 | 10:07 PM
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Pilot on the converter was clean no burs, i put the spacer in the flexplate then installed the trans and converter. Once the trans was bolted up there was still a good amount of space between the converted pads and flex plate, so im pretty sure the converter was all the way seated.
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Old May 10, 2009 | 10:15 PM
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Just because you have space between the converter mounting surface and flexplate doesnt mean it is equally flush on all sides. Is the TH400 bellhousing flush to the block on all sides and top? You using a stock TH400 bellhousing or an Ultrabell? If it is not flush, the spacer will be crooked in the crank, or the converter crooked in the the spacer and can bind.

I had this problem last month when I didnt have my TH400 Ultrabell sitting flush to the block.
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Old May 13, 2009 | 08:24 PM
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Found the problem the converter bottoms out in the spacer about a 1/4 inch before the mounting pads touch the flywheel. Should i just use some spacers to fill the gap?
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Old May 13, 2009 | 08:59 PM
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ok, lil more info..... i bought this stuff trans and converter used, i just found that the converter will slide into the crank pilot w/o the use of the pilot adapter. However Im not sure how far it must slide into the crank as it looks like it doesn't make it in very far.....
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Old May 13, 2009 | 11:33 PM
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Your last posts were confusing...

So... does this converter have the additional pilot piece welded on the front cover to go into an LS1 crank, or not? If so, you dont lneed the spacer. Post a pic of the converter.
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Old May 14, 2009 | 09:07 AM
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I didn't use the spacer, and it doesn't sound like you should either.
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Old May 15, 2009 | 06:48 PM
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Im not really sure what it is as I bought it used, I believe it was in a LT1 car. Ill post up a pic later tonight......
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Old May 15, 2009 | 10:15 PM
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[img=http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/5498/image016.th.jpg]

It does have a second piece attached to it........ im still curious how far it needs to go in to the crank though....
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Old May 17, 2009 | 10:39 AM
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anybody....................?
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Old May 17, 2009 | 11:52 AM
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I had the extra piece welded onto to my new converter and I seem to remember it was longer than that. I am trying to find a picture of it that I took... if I find it I will post it. It doesnt have to too deep into the crank, it is just for alignment.
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Old May 17, 2009 | 12:17 PM
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what kind of engine? could it have been a truck engine and has the crank spacer on it, or an early truck engine w/longer crank-how far does the crank stick out past the rear seal
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Old May 17, 2009 | 06:51 PM
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Its going into a LS1, but i believe the trans and converter came from a LT1. If you look at the picture, the welded piece goes about halfway into the crank....
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