Swapping Torque Coverters...How Involved??

[pmoore4321]

I picked up a torque converter a few weeks ago and now I'm looking to install it. What are the steps for installing without a lift? Looking under the car it appears to be easier just to pull the engine...:biggrin:

Also, I have a slow drip appearing at the bottom of the converter cover. Is this most likely the front transmission seal? Can I just pry the old one out and tap a new one in? I don't think the drip is from the rear main.

 

[Phoneguy]

Replacing the torque converter is not as bad as it looks. No need to pull the engine. First buy a 6 pack of your favorite beer. You will need a long extension and a socket with a built in swivel works best to get to the transmission bellhousing bolts. Get the car up as high as you can get it on jack stands. I use two sets just as a safety measure. Chock the rear wheels too. Get a large oil drip pan from auto parts store and place under car. Drink 1 beer.Disconnect the driveshaft at the rear end, if you dont have a tranny plug leave the driveshaft in the transmission to avoid fluid leaking out. Remove inspection cover, Remove TC bolts and push converter into transmission, Remove bellhousing bolts, time for another beer because you are pi$$ed that you can't get to the bolts.(remaining beers are for when you are done) Disconnect the tranny lines, disconnect TV cable, pull dipstick tube up and out of the way, Remove transmission mount bolts. Leave the crossmember alone. Place a piece of wood on your floor jack if you don't have a tranny jack and slowly jack up the tranny towards the front of the pan, when the tail clears the crossmember you can start moving the tranny towards the rear of the car until you gain enough room to remove the TC.
Before installing the new converter pour 3/4 of a quart of tranny fluid in it. Have fun. Shouldn't take but 3 hours your first time. I can change one in just over an hour now. Good luck

Bryan

 

[pmoore4321]

Hey Bryan...thanks! i didn't think anyone would respond so fast on a Sunday so I started wrenching. I hate those bellhousing bolts! Always a struggle. Yes, I already have the beer flowing!
Only thing I guess I got wrong at this point is that I removed the crossmember. I'm headed back out to the garage. I'll advise how it goes.

Thanks again

 

[SCOOBY DOO]

You can just slide the crossmember back a few inches.

 

[KevinB]

Top bell housing bolts are easiest once you get the crossmember out of the way and drop the rear of the trans down. Get the whole engine/trans assembly to tilt down. Then take a a few extensions with a swivel end (I usually tape up the swivel so it's not very wobbly.) I have changed a torque converter or 5 this year alone in my car....so if there is a short cut, I probably know it lol

 

[Phoneguy]

This socket from sears works awesome with a small rare earth disc magnet inside.

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Bryan

 

[pmoore4321]

WOW!...what a pain in the a** that was! I somehow got to the bellhousing bolts with just a socket and a wrench by jacking the engine/trans up and down to make a little clearance.

Let's just say I will NEVER do that again without pumping the fluid out of the trans first. Time to clean up and take it for a spin! :biggrin:

 

[Phoneguy]

WOW!...what a pain in the a** that was! I somehow got to the bellhousing bolts with just a socket and a wrench by jacking the engine/trans up and down to make a little clearance.

Let's just say I will NEVER do that again without pumping the fluid out of the trans first. Time to clean up and take it for a spin! :biggrin:

You skipped a step and didn't get the oil drip pan huh...:biggrin: Did the driveshaft fall out of the tranny?
Oh well, you got it done. That's the best part. Go have some fun.

Bryan

 

[pmoore4321]

You skipped a step and didn't get the oil drip pan huh...:biggrin: Did the driveshaft fall out of the tranny?
Oh well, you got it done. That's the best part. Go have some fun.

Bryan

Yeah, thanks for the tips. I had bought one of those red tailshaft plugs from Harbor Freight about a years ago and decided to try it out. The plug worked great, but the transmission slipped off the floor jack and fell forward. It looked like the Exxon Valdez ran aground in my garage. I also had no idea how much fluid would pour out when I pulled the converter off.

Like you said, at least it's done. I really couldn't give it a cruise because I need more replacement fluid. I backed down the driveway and there was barely enough fluid to even get it to roll. I guess I'll have to wait until after work tomorrow.