700R4 Torque Converter bolt question and engine install question.

[rpcraft]

I'm in the process of doing my 5.3 swap and I have what may be a curious question (and I am not home right now to check). I am hoping to mate up the trans and motor Friday night but I have to admit so far I have not flipped over my torque converter to look at the face the mounting face. It's a used unit, presumably the original for the trans, but I have noticed the bolt kits have 6 bolts to them. I may be confused because the last time I mated a trans was 20+ years ago but I swear my 77 only had 3 bolts that attached to the TH350 flexplate. I know the 5.3 flexplate seems to have a spot for 6. Is it just a matter of the fact that it was 20 years ago and I am suffering from CRS and do not remember putting in all 6 bolts? Just need a little sanity check. Also, my thought was to attach the motor and trans, then drop it in the engine bay, and then use a floor jack or something similar to lift the Transfer case in (already bolted to the crossmember) and then bolt it up to the trans and finish jackingit up until the crossmember is flush to the frame rails. Anyone have a better recommendation for getting it in there? When I did it 20 years ago I literally lifted the trans on my chest and crawled under and lifted it in and then did the xfer case (and it was a beeeotch then), but I can tell you know that ain't happening because getting old sucks and I am not nearly as strong as I used to be.

Any feedback and comments are appreciated, and I guess if no one answers tonight then I'll be at home figuring and figure it out when I flip over the TC. Thanks!!!

 

[PatrickH]

The flex plate bolt "kit" is for the plate-to crankshaft flange, where there is 6 bolts. There are 3 bolts holding the flex plate to the torque converter.

 

[rpcraft]

I'm talking about the ARP Torque convertor set, not the bolts that go on the crank. I've been doing some reading and there are some that have three and some that have six. Depenmds on the years and sizes of the torque converter.. Thanks though

 

[paratrooper307]

I'm talking about the ARP Torque convertor set, not the bolts that go on the crank. I've been doing some reading and there are some that have three and some that have six. Depenmds on the years and sizes of the torque converter.. Thanks though

Yep. Diesel model square bodies usually have six but a lot of others often only have three.

 

[rpcraft]

Yeah, I was finally able to make it home and look at it and it only has three. Bolt kit came with 6 anyways but I guess it can't hurt to have some extras..... Maybe for the next LS project using a slush is!!!!

 

[diesel4me]

Yep. Diesel model square bodies usually have six but a lot of others often only have three.

Yes,diesels and some heavy duty gas applications used the 6 bolt converter.which has a lower stall speed..

Also,there are two bolt patterns on some flex plates,so a TH350 or TH400 and a 700R4 will work with them..the bolt patterns are slightly different diameter for the 3 bolts..
I ran into this years ago when I put a 283 in a truck with a TH350 and discovered too late the bolt pattern for the original Powerglide the engine was coupled too wouldn't bolt up to my converter !....after the tranny was bolted up!..

 

[Greg Ducato]

Make sure your bolts are not too long for the converter pad, if they are they can dimple the converter clutch surface and cause lots of trouble. Thread pitch is 10x1.50 The LS flexplate and converter share a unique bolt pattern and spacing that will not work with any non LS transmissions or even an LS 4L80E.

 

[rpcraft]

Well,I only saw one ARP TC bolt kit so hopefully they are smart enough to engineer it correctly but since you mentioned that I'll test fit everything with a thin washer first and make sure? This is attaching a 700R4 to a ls 5.3 so I don't think the dual pattern wil help much because from everything I have read I'll still have to modify they bolt holes because the diameter on the older TC mounting pads was slightly larger so you need to wallow out the inner part of the bolt holes on the flex plate. Right now I'm trying to avoid taking the flex plate off and I have the spacer that slips on the TC and lines it up properly so hopefully it will all work out. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Greg Ducato]

Yes, you will need the crank pilot spacer and to elongate the bolt holes to accept the 700 converter. Is the 5.3 a cable driven throttle body? What are you using for a tv cable?

 

[rpcraft]

I have the ICT billet spacer that slips over the TC snout and my 5.3 is drive by cable. I have not purchased it yet but I'm strongly considering the TVmadeEZ bracket for the LS setups but I'm also still bouncing around the idea of switching to a 4l60E and I figure spending 200 bucks on that adapter is almost halfway to a used 4l60E. I think when I have my harness done, if I have not made up my mind, I am going to go ahead and have them setup the loom for the 4l60E and just not activate it in the PCM, and then once I get my harness back I will just trim the loop off and add my own weatherpack connector with a cap (for water proofing) and then if I do swap to a 4l60E I can add it back later and pick up a spare PCM and have it setup for VAT's removal and have the tune matched to whatever the tune on the current PCM will be with the 4l60E trans enabled.

 

[Greg Ducato]

I think you should bite the bullet and get yourself into a 4L60E. Even if you get the tv set up for the 700 you will still need to activate the converter clutch. Might as well just do it all from the start and not have to go back and change over again.

 

[rpcraft]

Yeah, I was thinking it's probably the smartest option in the grand scheme. And to think this started out as a budget build, lol...

 

[rpcraft]

Speaking of which, I know people never really shy away from higher mileage LS motors but what is the consensus on when there are too many miles on a 4l60E?

 

[Greg Ducato]

These develop problems in the 150K range, there are always exceptions of course, both higher and lower. Many trucks of this era have already had a trans build so seek out one with signs of a build and pretty pink fluid.