Ls swap th400 dust cover?

[rhinoblzr]

Finally got my engine in and on to the next obstacle. Anyone know of a dust cover that fits a 5.3L th400 combo? Will trimming the old one work? Was thinking of removing the sharpie area, but still dont know if the starter will fit or if the clearance between the cover and flexplate will be to tight.

 

[Fastereddie]

Only one way to find out...

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

I never put one back on

 

[diesel4me]

I took off the dust cover on my Th400 a good 3 years ago,when I was going to attempt to replace the engine's oil pan..
It's still off,and I still haven't been able to do the oil pan replacement..

Every time I start the truck now,I fear one of my feral kitties that sometimes sleep on or under the truck might get yanked up into the torque converter....
I've been told I'll ruin the front pump seal driving it with no cover,but it hasn't leaked so far,and I have driven other vehicles without one a long time with no troubles..
I was a bit nervous last winter when I had to drive my truck thru some 3 foot drifts though...I could hear snow getting flung around!.

 

[rhinoblzr]

Always bugged me to roll without one. Since it's a crawler I'm worried about hitting the tc on rocks. I'll fabricate one from scratch if I have too lol.

 

[diesel4me]

My TH400 is a car cased version ,so it only has a tin cover--that wont offer much protection from anything like a rock or curb,it'll only keep out debris ..those plastic covers are no better as far as protection either..
I took the plastic dust covers off more than one vehicle because they would end up scraping against the flexplate,they warp after years of heat and I got tired of them grinding against the flex plate..

 

[Greg Ducato]

You can use one from a 4L80E that came from an LS based application such as a 2005 2500 series with 6.0 gas engine.

 

[rhinoblzr]

Awsome thanks. I'll look around for one.

 

[rhinoblzr]

After more cutting than anticipated I was able to make the stock cover fit. Used 3/8×2" bolts with nyloc nuts. This rig never had the support bars and Haven't been able to find any pics of how they go. Any pics would be appreciated.

 

[sweetk30]

should have NOT needed the lock nuts . the holes in the case are threaded .

and no brace rods for ls stuff . so dont try to hard unless you want a lot of fab work .

orignal sandwich between the block and motor mount that bolts to the block .

 

[rhinoblzr]

The holes where not threaded on my hd case.

When I was young and this rig was my older friends, we broke two cases wheeling. I remember us blaming it on the fact he didn't have the braces. Dont know if that's true or not. Maybe you can shed some light on the subject.

I have no problem fabricating bars. The fun of fabrication is half the reason I took on this project. Excuse my ignorance but what do you mean sandwich block?

 

[Fastereddie]

He was saying the mounts for the braces were a flat plate sandwiched between the block and motor mount.

 

[rhinoblzr]

Ok thanks. Maybe I'll make a bracket similar to the motor mount but with the tabs top and bottom and closer together and mount it to the extra holes on the plate. And run my bars to it. Opions?

 

[Fastereddie]

That would work well if you have a straight shot from there to the cover.

 

[rhinoblzr]

Bars are done. Time for the fuel system.

 

[sweetk30]

if you want to ditch the oil level sensor in the pan go to my 2 wheel burn link below and post 78

 

[rhinoblzr]

Awsome I do want to ditch it. Dont see a link.

 

[sweetk30]

the blue link's next to my screen name info in the sig line.
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