Engine going IN

Isaiah Estrada

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This car is coming together slow, but everything we’ve done in our time building it has been worth it. It’s the little details that matter!!

Our first line of order yesterday was to get the torque converter into the 727 trans. I fought it for quite a while until I heard the 2 clicks. Once I got the first click, the second one almost immediately followed and it sat in there a good ways into the bellhousing.

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Then I just mocked up to starter to verify things where as they should be…

I filled up the torque converter with about a quart of ATF +4. I know to some it’s overkill, but with a fresh and entirely new rebuild - I thought “might as well.” Getting the transmission bolted to the block wasn’t as hard as I thought it’d be! The little cogs built into the block that support the trans helped me to get a free hand and finger tighten the top two bellhousing bolts to the block. I used lock washers for good measure.

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This thing is long!!! You may remember, I had a really hard time getting the transmission crossmember into the car, so we didn’t remove it. I believe that if I had removed it - it would’ve made the install MUCH easier, as we had to wrestle the engine in. The oil pan was getting hung up on the front crossmember, and the tail shaft stuck on a part of the rear crossmember… but with some coercing and twisting around we were able to get the engine in!

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Need to touch up some paint in areas that got scraped, but I’ve quickly learned things never go too easy when it comes to doing this stuff…

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Some side views!

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and one up top…

Next is to get the clutch / fan mounted up and run the water pump / alternator belt. Going to leave the steering pump off for now, but I have both! Going to set up my core support as well and install radiator w/ fan shroud. Fingers crossed the break in process goes well (whenever that might be.)

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One thing that worried me a little, and maybe someone can enlighten me… So when I went underneath the motor to bolt the torque converter to the flex plate, the torque converter wasn’t flush with it. I tried pulling it back as hard as I could but it was still kinda far. My torque converter bolts were able to thread in, but as I tightened, it pulled the flex plate out towards the torque converter. Might be a stupid question, but is this why it’s called a flex plate???
 
One thing that worried me a little, and maybe someone can enlighten me… So when I went underneath the motor to bolt the torque converter to the flex plate, the torque converter wasn’t flush with it. I tried pulling it back as hard as I could but it was still kinda far. My torque converter bolts were able to thread in, but as I tightened, it pulled the flex plate out towards the torque converter. Might be a stupid question, but is this why it’s called a flex plate???

Isaiah: This doesn't sound right. The TC should slide forward somewhat so it is seated against the flex plate. The flex plate should not bend as you tighten the bolts - rather the TC should be pulled toward the flex plate - if it needs to move at all.
 
I've been watching your build, but haven't been paying close attention, if I'm right you had to get another trans, and I imagine torque converter
did you check to make sure the torque converter " nipple?" Fit into the crank?
I know now is a bad time to bring that up but........
I'm sure Some more knowledgeable MOPAR guys will chime in on whether they changed, or if that's possible
 
Isaiah: This doesn't sound right. The TC should slide forward somewhat so it is seated against the flex plate. The flex plate should not bend as you tighten the bolts - rather the TC should be pulled toward the flex plate - if it needs to move at all.

Agreed. There should be about 1/8" air gap between the TC and the flex plate. The TC should easily slide forward before you bolt together.

Did the TC spin freely once installed in the tranny?

Might be worth unbolting and checking this out to make sure it's right, otherwise you could damage the front thrust bearing/oil pump of the tranny.

@Isaiah Estrada nice hat BTW....
 
Agreed. There should be about 1/8" air gap between the TC and the flex plate. The TC should easily slide forward before you bolt together.

Did the TC spin freely once installed in the tranny?

Might be worth unbolting and checking this out to make sure it's right, otherwise you could damage the front thrust bearing/oil pump of the tranny.

@Isaiah Estrada nice hat BTW....

There was about an 1/8 gap, and when I tightened the TC, it seemed like the flex plate was going towards it. It wasn’t like I had to screw down hard either, it went easily. The TC spun freely in both directions. When we turned the crank, the splines on the tail shaft of the trans were spinning also.

Thanks on the hat! Got it in SLO at The Ritual off of Higuera. They used the wrong pit but I think they got the message lol
 
There was about an 1/8 gap, and when I tightened the TC, it seemed like the flex plate was going towards it. It wasn’t like I had to screw down hard either, it went easily. The TC spun freely in both directions. When we turned the crank, the splines on the tail shaft of the trans were spinning also.

Thanks on the hat! Got it in SLO at The Ritual off of Higuera. They used the wrong pit but I think they got the message lol
I would get under it now and take out one of the TC bolts. If the flex plate moves away from the TC I would say you have an issue. If this happens I would remove all the TC bolts and rotate the TC by hand and see if you can get the TC pads to touch the flex plate.

It could be the TC hub isn't sitting in the end of the crank properly.
 
Flex plate does not move toward torque converter. The flex plate to torque converter bolts draw the torque converter toward the flex plate.

Torque converter install on trans seems normal.

If the flex plate moved toward the converter, something is wrong. Hope it was a trick of the eye.
 
Flex plate does not move toward torque converter. The flex plate to torque converter bolts draw the torque converter toward the flex plate.

Torque converter install on trans seems normal.

If the flex plate moved toward the converter, something is wrong. Hope it was a trick of the eye.

I’m leaning more towards this, I was in a VERY awkward position under the car (not the most efficient way.) Given that nothing seems to be binding up or having to fight just to turn the motor, I’d say it was a trick of the eye. I’m still going to verify tomorrow that things are proper. We had a friend come by to look at it and he thinks it’s fine. Nothing seems “out of whack.” But for good measure, I’ll get under tomorrow. Maybe even bump the starter just to see how it spins
 
Thanks everyone! We got the TC situation figured out. All is good. Making more progress towards the initial start!

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She looks real pretty…

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New clutch fan on!

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Cold case radiator mocked up w/ core support and some home made brackets to hold it in tight!

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I think I'm going to swap out my fan clutch for the low profile one Hayden offers. I have about a 3/4 gap between the radiator fins and my fan clutch. The fan itself is almost buried into the shroud. I have reinforced my motor mounts but it still makes me nervous... My core support was only clamped into place for this photo leaving even less space in between, but after we used the right bolts and added the metal structure it gave me a little more clearance.

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I don't have a photo of this setup with the core support held in properly yet, but you get the idea.
 
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