HELP! Installing torque converter

[Irork]

Hi everybody. I'm trying to put a new torque converter on my turbo 350 tranny and it will go in 2 clicks but I can't get the third click. Everything I've been told is that it should go in 3 clicks as you engage everything but I can't get the 3rd for the life of me. As it sets right now after 2 clicks, the converter is into the bellhousing 3/4". Any tricks somebody can provide would be greatly appreciated........thanks a bunch... Ian

 

[Russell]

Hey Ian! Just rotate it while pushing, and see if it goes in any further. If it doesn't, there is a good chance the first two splines just happened to be lined up perfectly, making for only two clicks or something.

One way to find out for sure is to put it up against the engine, and see if you have to pull the torque converter forwards to the flywheel, or if the flywheel binds against it.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Wiggle the convertor as you turn it. Sometimes that last click can be a bear.

 

[K5dreamer]

i third the advice, rotate and push, if it wont go that third click, something aint right.

 

[Speedo]

The 3 different steps that it has to seat are the ground sleeve, the turbine shaft and the pump dogs. The first 2 clicks are the outer splined shaft that doesn't rotate, that is the ground sleeve and it holds the stator freewheel roller cam from rotating. Next is the turbine shaft, this is what drives everything inside the tranny. The last click is the engagement of the drive dogs on the pump and this one is the one that causes most of the problems, if you keep pressure against it you may be turning the pump while you are turning the converter so that it won't gon in that last click. Try moving the converter out just a hair and rotate it just a hair then push it in and repeat until it goes in that last click.

Gus

 

[Irork]

Well after a long day of trying just about every possible idea, we gave up. It just flat out wont go in the last little click. The tranny is a top to bottom rebuild that was finished 2 days ago from a local tranny shop. Im going to take it down there and see what they can do. needless to say im pretty frustrated. seems like the little things are always the ones that cause troubles!! thank you all very much for the pointers. I gave them all a shot.
Ian

 

[K5dreamer]

sorry to hear it wouldnt go, but yeah i totally agree, it is always the little things

 

[NateInChandler]

Irork, look sideways at the trans, bell to bell and see if the snout of the torque convertor is even with it, if it is its not in all the way, if you cant see the snout of the convertor when you look crossways at the bell then its fully installed... nate