yossarian19

So, I have a frankentruck project. When I bolt hte drivetrain together, the engine won't turn w/ a socket & breaker bar.

Trying to turn the transmission pump shaft (the larger / outer shaft w/ ears on it) by hand, I can't. I don't know why not, and this seems to be the problem.

Parts & more info
I have an 02 4.8 Vortec engine from a Silverado and what I am told is an LS1 Camaro 4L60E transmission.
I am using the dished Vortec flex plate.
When I bolt the whole mess up it the engine can't be turned over.

When I bolt the torque converted to the flex plate (transmission off to the side) it seems to work fine. The engine turns over freely and I see no interference issues.

So, WTF? Did I buy a seized up trans, or is there something more to it that I don't yet understand?
My first Chevy project... I really know nothing about this stuff.

mrvedit

A wild guess is that you used much too long bolts for the converter and the heads are hitting the engine block. (I.e. they bottomed out in the converter). But of course you say you that already checked that, but maybe you used different bolts for final assembly.

Otherwise, you might have installed the converter incorrectly and cracked and jammed the pump in the trans. The pump is the only thing that turns in the trans before the pump builds pressure.

These threads might help you (especially the first one):
https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...ter-bolts.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...questions.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...lp-please.html

Keep us posted when you figure it out. And good luck.

RonSSNova

iTrader: (3)

The outer shaft isn't supposed to turn. Just the smaller inner one.

It sounds as if you maybe don't have the converter seated all the way into the transmission.
There should be 2 distinct clunks as you rotate the converter while installing it on the trans. At each clunk, the converter moves farther onto the shaft.

Ron

yossarian19

Yep, TC wasn't all the way onto the tranny. I have no idea if I've damaged anything, having bolted it up with the TC not seated, but it doesn't look / feel / sound like it. Engine turns smoothly w/ everything bolted up now.

Incidentally, the ARP flex plate to TC bolts are harder to work with than the factory stuff due to length issues. Oh well, got it worked out.

Thanks guys!

RonSSNova

iTrader: (3)

Glad you figured it out.
What will break is the front pump gear. That is what is the final engagement you felt as the tags on the converter mated with the pump gear. Since you didn't turn it over, could be ok.

I guess you will know when you go to drive the car.

Ron

Stuinkuwait

iTrader: (3)

Update please ... I did the same thing and I am now very worried that I broke the pump ... I have no clue about transmissions at all.

carlsonauto

It is very easy to break the pump by doing that. The pump rotors are very easy to crack and when they come apart it makes a mess of the whole pump. I have replaced many pumps because of this...

DevilDawgDad

If the converter hub was butted to the pump rotor, the pump will need to be removed and inspected AT THE VERY LEAST ! In most cases the pump rotor, converter, and flexplate will need to be replaced.
DDD

mrvedit

I don't have any personal experience with this problem, but it seems that the converter should be strong enough to survive this mistake and also the flexplate. Of course the pump rotor is often toast.
For my own education, is the damage usually limited to the pump or does ground metal get distributed throughout the trans?
(Perhaps this depends upon whether the engine was started?)

DevilDawgDad

If the engine is NOT run, the damage will be limited to the pump, TCon and Flexplate.
The flexplate is bent.When you butted the TCon hub against the pump rotor, something has to 'give'....and that will be the flaxplate since it is only 1/8 inch thick.They are cheap, so replacing it should be automatic.The TCon MAY be OK.Any marking on the hub and you should just replace the TCon.Atempting to run the trans with ANY of those parts damaged will cause severe damage the the trans and it will need to be completely redone.If their is any doubt about the condition of any of those parts, have a pro trans tech look them over.
DDD

yossarian19

No update yet - I have a long ways to go before the truck runs. More wiring, install fuel system, add cooling system, drive shafts, etc.

I'm really, really hoping I didn't do any expensive damage. Financially I'm in way over my head as it is.

mrvedit

If we accurately predicted what our projects will actually cost, we won't start them in the first place.

Good luck with everthing.

86_irocz-28

iTrader: (5)

Bringing this thread back alive this car will be the death of me already almost dropped it on myself twice and dropped a ratchet on my eye wanna know what to look for before i drop this thing again its a 5.3 and a 00ish 4l60e stock converter