[dv657172]

1971 GTO 400 with TH400

Removed engine and now have it back in. I took good notes...sort of....my 3 Stall Converter to Flexplate bolts have two washers each. My notes say a washer goes on each side of Stall Converter (i.e. 1 between Flexplate and Stall Converter and 1 on outside of Stall Converter).

Marks on the Flexplate would indicate 1 washer on the outside of the Flexplate and 1 washer on the outside of the Stall Converter.

What is the right order?

Also using Blue Threadlocker and 30 ft lb torque. Is that ok?

Thanks
DV

[johnta1]

I would say the 1st washer should be on bolt next to the head of it. 2nd one would be on outside of bolt after its through everything?
(nothing between converter and flexplate)

[dv657172]

Thanks Johntal, that configuration would match the markings on the flexplate and stall converter.

Just wanted to double check given the note I wrote during disassemby would imply a washer between the converter and flexplate. Guess I need to improve on my documentation skills, lol.

[chuckies76ta]

Did you check the clearance between the Flexplate and Converter before bolting them together? 1/8"- 3/16" is required. Did you put a tiny little bit of grease on the snout of the converter? Something else a lot of people never check is to make sure the snout of the converter, doesn't bottom out in the crank.

I use blue locktite on the converter bolts.

[78w72]

X2, converter needs proper clearance. if it needs washers for correct spacing, hardened washers are best.

[dv657172]

Car is all stock, original trans, converter, engine so it would appear that there wasnt any clearance between stall converter and flexplate previously, assuming washers were on the outside of the flexplate and stall converter as it appears they were. Existing washers only have 0.07" thickness.

I didnt check the clearance to the crank, hopefully PMD did. I will know to do so going forward.

I will also put grease on the snout in the future, I didnt know to do that so a bit late now unfortunately.

So I assume just find 1/8" - 3/16" hardened washers and I should be good to go?
Just curious, why does it need the spacing between the converter and flexplate?

[b-man]

You want to bottom the converter out into the front pump and then be able to pull it out 1/8” to 3/16” to meet the flexplate.

You will need to rotate the converter both directions while you’re pushing it inward to make sure it’s fully bottomed out, should go click 3 times and move inward each time as it makes its way and fully engages with the tangs on the front pump.

This allows for expansion and keeps the converter from being pushed into the front pump and damaging it.

If you have more than 3/16” clearance between the converter and flexplate after bottoming it out in the front pump then add 3 hardened washers all of the exact same thickness to bring you to between 1/8” and 3/16”. Then bolt it up, I also use a little blue Loctite here so it’s easy to remove the bolts later on.

[chuckies76ta]

This ^^^^

So I assume just find 1/8" - 3/16" hardened washers and I should be good to go?
No.! The spacing between flexplate and the feet on the converter need a distance of 1/8” to 3/16”. A minimum of 1/8” and a maximum of 3/16”
If you don’t understand this just keep asking. Funny thing I'm just bolting my converter to the flexplate as we speak.
It should be fine if your putting it back the way it was. It just always gets checked.

[dv657172]

ChuckiesTA - I meant to say 1/8 - 3/16" thickness washers

[chuckies76ta]

Originally Posted by dv657172

ChuckiesTA - I meant to say 1/8 - 3/16" thickness washers

No. The thickness of the washers are decided after you measure the distance

Look on YouTube for someone in a video to explain it to you. It sometimes is a little tricky to understand, but once you get it it actually simple.

[chuckies76ta]

I have the feeler gauge between flexplate and converter feet

[dv657172]

Thanks b-man for the explanation on the need for clearance.

chuckies76ta - I get it now, thanks for all your advice.

Appreciate all the help

[chuckies76ta]

Your Welcome.

[b-man]

To be clear you need the 1/8” to 3/16” clearance before bolting it up.

You don’t want that clearance after it’s bolted up, you’re pulling the converter to the flexplate after you’ve determined you have that much play or clearance.

[dv657172]

Thanks b-man, that was where I was getting confused. It makes perfect sense now. Much appreciated!

[Bill Meyer]

I think you want more than 30 lbs on that bolt. I usually use two wrenches and get them as tight as possible. Troubleshooting loose converter bolts is no fun

[Formulas]

If he has stock converter bolts and 2 washers he will have very minimal thread engagment

And if he has hardware store bolts he needs to make sure he has all possible thread engagement without bottoming out

[dv657172]

Bill Meyer - Will make sure they are good & tight + threadlocker

Formulas - Will take a closer look when I put them in tomorrow but pretty sure they are stock bolts. Thanks for the heads up.