Engine Install

The torque converter is free to spin after the transmission is bolted to the engine. Spin it by hand to line up one of the bolts that attaches it to the flex plate. When that bolt is tight, use the wrench to turn it and the crankshaft until you can install the next bolt.

Some engines are "externally-balanced" when it is too difficult to cast some of the counterweights on the crankshaft. Those will have one of their weights on the torque converter, and those have to be bolted on in the right orientation to prevent a vibration. For that design, one of the flex plate bolt holes is offset so it will only match up one way. When we do not know if the engine we are working on is of that design, it is customary to throw a little spray paint on one of the bolt holes so we do not have to resort to trial and error when doing the install. At worst you wasted a little paint, (or a chalk mark), but if you need that alignment mark, you will be happy you added it.

The easiest way it to make sure the converter is seated in the transmission pump as far as it will go. Now get the transmission attached to the engine. Last attach the converter to the flex plate. That gives you enough room that you can rotate the converter to line up the holes.

If you try to bolt the converter to the plate and get the engine lined up you have a very good chance that you will be removing the transmission to replace the front pump. That is because the pump drive alignment is critical, it only fits in one spot. Get it wrong and you have a 1/2" gap between the engine and trans. Force it together and it destroys the pump the instant you kit the key.