700r4 torque converter question

[vxdude21a]

Just got my tranny bolted up and what I have is about 3/8 or of a inch or better between the torque converter bolt holes and the flex plate when the torque converter is pushed all the way back in the transmission.

I'm wondering if I should use should I use spacers between the torque converter and felx plate where the bolts go. Its supposed to be a low stall converter made for a diesel and has 6 bolts holes.

thanks in advance
Jim

[BlueBurby1]

nope, just bolt it up to the flex plate, and congrats on the correct terminology....too many idiots call it a flywheel, autos don't have flywheels....anyways, bolt it up without spacers...otherwise it might rub the tranny housing

[dieselolds]

Blue is right.Your in good shape if you had 3/8" clearance when the engine and tranny were bolted together.If you had no clearance,then i'd worry.No clearance would indicate the torque converter was not installed correctly to begin with.

[0lee]

Originally Posted by blueburby1

nope, just bolt it up to the flex plate, and congrats on the correct terminology

Hm, why is called 'flexplate'? Not that 'flywheel' seem to make more sense, but the flexplate doesn't flex --- or does it?

[High Sierra 2500]

It's also known (probably a little more accurately but much less commonly) as a "drive plate". Whether or not it flexes at all I really don't know for sure, but I doubt it flexes significantly.

[jmay2174]

Sometimes a new torque converter will come with new bolts. They will have a special Locktite coating. If you use your old bolts, clean them well on a wire wheel and use Locktite on the threads. After the transmission bellhousing is bolted to the engine (30 ft-lb), install the converter/flexplate bolts and torque them to 50 ft-lb. You don't want to strip the threads with too much torque and you don't want them coming loose.

While the transmission is off, this is a good time in inspect your flexplate starter teeth. If they are worn, you can replace the starter ring.

FYI, GM calls the flexplate a "flywheel".

Joel

[vxdude21a]

when I crawl under and watch it when its running it sure seems like its out of round or off center, I mean you can see it as its spinning that its not true. is there anything i can do about it ??.

I get a little more vibration at idle then i used to but I don't seem to notice any strong vibration when running.

[pontiac59]

On this same subject, what's the torque rating and is loctite needed on the flexplate-to-crankshaft bolts?

[BlueBurby1]

ditto...i didn't use loctite, no problems yet, didn't toqrue either...just cranked the shit out of EVERYTHING

[jmay2174]

Originally Posted by vxdude21a

when I crawl under and watch it when its running it sure seems like its out of round or off center, I mean you can see it as its spinning that its not true. is there anything i can do about it ??.

I get a little more vibration at idle then i used to but I don't seem to notice any strong vibration when running.

"Some engines may not have not have a dowel pin to index the flywheel to the crankshaft. On these engines, it is possible to install the flywheel improperly (rotated from the proper position). If the flywheel is installed rotated from the proper position, engine balance will be adversely affected.

If no dowel pin is used, align the close-spaced hole in the flywheel with the untapped hole in the crankshaft."

Ref: 1991 gm Trucks R/V,P Models Service Manual.

Joel