i have fitted a th350 to my 2001 ls1 engine along with a tci 8'' race converter, problem is now that the box is fitted the tc has gone tight and wont turn freely i made sure the tc clicked three times when i fitted it, i have the hughes pilot adaptor fitted also there is a space between the flexplate and tc of about 1cm im thinking maybe the flexplate is wrong. thanks in advance
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Not sure I understand everything correctly. It looks like you have to much clearance but you said the converter will not turn?

Which flex-plate are you using? Is there any spacer between the crank and flex-plate?

Chris

 

the flexplate is the standard 2001 ls1 in the standard place the spacer is simply pushed into the centre of the crank

 

I have never been a big fan of crank pilot spacers. I would get a converter that already has the proper pilot on it for the engine application. If I had to guess the pilot is what is binding. However you have way to much of a gap between the flexplate and the converter pad if in fact it is 1cm. I would get with the manufacture of the converter to see what the build height should be. Also before you remove the trans use a 3/16 drill bit to use a a gauge to see how much space is there. Go larger or smaller to figure out where you are really at. Can you pull the converter forward at all?

 

no its stuck just about solid

 

Pull the trans and test fit the converter to the flexplate.

 

I had a similar problem, run some emery cloth over the pilot to get off any paint/rust/burrs. Also run some inside the crank journal, rust loves to form there and with such tight tolerances it will cause it to bind. Also run some grease in there.

Either that or the spacer is wrong.

 

looks like the pilot is bound.

Greg

 

this is the flexplate im using, is it the wrong one?
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and this is tc against the flexplate with the hughes adaptor where have i gone wrong?
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Use really long bolts seriously, something is up with the pilot.......

 

could the flexplate not be wrong?

 

Try removing the spacer and see if the converter fits flush to the flexplate. You should also measure the distance from the end of the converter pilot to the mounting pads. It should be 3/16". If it's more than that, the converter may already have a pilot extension on it. Hope this helps.

 

I think it might be the wrong flex-plate. The F-bods LS style flex-plate should have a curve to it. The hight from the crank surface to the converter surface should be about 0.550"-0.600". They vary a little since they are stamped. I grabbed somepics from the internet, hope they help.

Chris

LS Style OE Flex-plate - this is the CAT version, but same idea as OE


TCI LS style flex plate. It is flat but they weld spacers on to get the height correct.


This is a LS style truck Flex-plate. It uses a spacer between the crank and flex-plate. This is taken from the engine side.


You might be able to just add the spacer to solve your problem. It also duplicates the crank diameter so you would eliminate the need for the adapter.

 

hi i have managed to sort the jammed tc turned to be that the pilot had an extension on it which i cut down to size now it turns freely and i can move it backwards and forwards , now if i push it all the way in to the box i have about between 3-4/16'' between the flexplate and the tc pads, is that right?

 

Sounds like it might have just been the pilot binding up. The gap should be about 0.125". +/- .050.

Chris

 

i have the same problem, the converter turns , but i have 3/16 gap between the conveter pads, and the flexplate... btw its a cat conversion flexplate, th400, sbc converter, arp hardware