ls 5.3 to th350 gap issue
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2015
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From: St.louis Mo
ls 5.3 to th350 gap issue I have a 2005 5.3 out of a silverado,i bolted my th350 to it with the hughes spacer. Now i have a 1/4" gap between the flywheel and torque converter.. I'm not sure if the converter is supposed to slide back forward or not.if anyone can help I'd be really grateful..
sounds about right,,,same with my th350 but I used a LS Neil Chance converter without the spacer because my converter had a longer snout...i used the SFI TCI flex plate.....9.61 on motor..
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 81
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From: St.louis Mo
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: St.louis Mo
Yes,im thinking ill have to pull the tranny and tap the spacer into the crank.i just kind of sat it in the crank when i bolted the tranny up.i didnt really feel right about pulling it tight with the bolts.
You must have a different spacer, mine has 6 bolt holes and goes between the flexplate and crank. You were right in your 1st post, the converter should slide back and forth freely...
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Staging Lane
Joined: May 2015
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From: St.louis Mo
Yes,my buddy told me i needed the hughes spacer. After seeing the spacer that bolts up before the flexplate,i should've gotten that one
Don't think that spacer will work with a flat flexplate. The purpose of the 0.400" thick (bolt-in) spacer is to move the 'plate backwards. With the flat 'plate and that spacer, you'll never get the converter back far enough to bolt up. You'll need either a dished 'plate for your spacer or the bolt-in spacer for the flat 'plate...
Teching In
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You want to have about a 1/8"-3/16" gap between the flexplate and converter, use a 3/16" drill bit to measure, and use shims to get within that range. A 1/4" is too much.
Also, you should be able to push the converter back and forth with your hand, as well as spin it freely. If not, you have a bind somewhere. The flexplate is called that for a reason, it flexes because the converter is moving in and out under load, if it doesn't move freely, and have a small air gap inside at the pump, you'll wipe out the pump or thrust bearing surfaces (ask how i know...). If the converter doesnt move like i said, take it back apart, and mock the converter up on the back of the engine without the transmission. Usually there is some paint on the converter, or a burr somewhere keeping things from moving.
I had one of those Hughes adapters once, and it didn't fit well when i was trial fitting it (it was WAY too loose in the crank bore), so i took it back and had one made that actually fit.
good luck with it.
Also, you should be able to push the converter back and forth with your hand, as well as spin it freely. If not, you have a bind somewhere. The flexplate is called that for a reason, it flexes because the converter is moving in and out under load, if it doesn't move freely, and have a small air gap inside at the pump, you'll wipe out the pump or thrust bearing surfaces (ask how i know...). If the converter doesnt move like i said, take it back apart, and mock the converter up on the back of the engine without the transmission. Usually there is some paint on the converter, or a burr somewhere keeping things from moving.
I had one of those Hughes adapters once, and it didn't fit well when i was trial fitting it (it was WAY too loose in the crank bore), so i took it back and had one made that actually fit.
good luck with it.