Oooh.
I hope you didn't crush the pump.

 

I'm assuming you got the torque converter bolts back on? I can't imagine how if the torque converter is lined up and the bolts are back on that the mating from trans to engine could possibly be your issue...

Unless are you thinking the converter is not all the way on the input shaft? If so that'll take some doing but you can maybe get it to seat by wiggling it around through the access cover. If your trans mount has any give to it when you loosen the bolts up that might be worth a try.

 

Yeah, I've got the converter bolted to the flex plate, but I don't think it's all the way up the input shaft correctly or something.

Won't get a chance to work on it really soon, but I think I will loosen up the transmission some to try to get it to work.

 

Hope not either. I think it's probably okay. I only tightened down with a 9 inch ratchet, so I don't think I could have tightened down enough to do much of any damage.

 

If the torque converter wasn't seated in the pump and the bellhousing is tight to the block I would at least pull the tranny back far enough to get the torque converter out and take a look.
Why destroy the transmission when you can check it now?

 

Yeah, I'm going to check it all out. Don't want to tear anything up.

 

It's been a very long while because I've been out of town, but I'll be getting back to work on the truck tomorrow.

Thinking about it in the mean time has been getting to me... I put the truck back together in my head in my sleep (or lack of) almost every night I was gone, haha...

 

Got back to working on the truck today. Took the headers, wiring, etc... off and loose and yanked the engine out so I could check out the transmission, torque converter, and flex plate. Flex plate is fine, but the torque converter is slightly bent where it enters the transmission pump. It seems almost as if the TC didn't even make it all of the way into the transmission. Less sure what I'm looking at in the front pump, but I took the front seal out and I don't really see any obvious damage.
Here are some pictures, what do you think? There's a little bit of debris there from me mangling the front seal getting it out. Is that other little thin light colored ring/bushing meant to slide out too?

 

Update:

Pulled the transmission front pump out on Friday Morning and took it up to the transmission shop for them to install new bushings/seals/gears. Also dropped the old torque converter so that they could order me a new one. Will hopefully have the converter and front pump back tomorrow afternoon (Monday).

Here's a peek into my C6:





In the mean time, I found that the rear u-joint on my driveshaft was bad.





Went ahead and installed new front and rear u-joints yesterday (Saturday):






Also installed some new gauges today. Oil pressure, Water Temp, Voltmeter, and Vacuum. Will try to get a picture up soon of the gauges.

 

Picked up my rebuilt front pump and reman torque converter this morning. Got them in and got the engine lined up. Everything went together pretty smooth and easily. It all turns nicely now. Will hopefully get the rest together and get it running tomorrow.

 

Sweet truck! *Subscribed*

 

im on the edge of my damn seat waiting to see see this thing!

 

Haha! Getting it together now! Got almost everything hooked up and together today. Will get some pictures/video up soon!

 

Got almost everything together today on my engine. Turned out as I suspected, the stock starter (only 6 months old) won't turn the engine fast enough with it being fairly high compression. Got a high torque mini starter ordered from Summit this morning and it should be here improve around noon.

 

Got the carb, vacuum lines, fuel, electrical, and my new high torque starter put together on the engine this afternoon. The new starter turns the engine over nicely. Went to fire it up and all it wanted to do was pop and bang. Checked my timing out, and it turns out that I ended up a tooth off on my distributor. Pulled the distributor, and the oil pump drive shaft dropped... Unbolted the oil pan, but it'll only drop about 1/2" with the trucks front crossmember being in the way. Can't get the pan out. I was able to see enough inside that I was able to use an extendable magnet tool and a flathead screwdriver poking into the pan and a smaller extendable magnet tool from the distributor hole to get the shaft back out. I feel pretty confident that I'll be able to install the shaft from the top tomorrow. I've got a few ideas on how to install it, but if anyone has any ideas or first hand experience doing it then don't be shy to chime in. The more ideas I've got in my head the better off I'll be when I start trying to get it together. I'd like to get it installed the proper way with the retainer, but I'm not going to take everything back apart and lift the engine up just to get the oil pan out of the way... Doing it from the top will be good enough for now since I really need this thing to be up and running.

I feel like every time I get up and going making progress I trip and fall on some small issue... It's been a good experience though! I've gained a lot from this swap. I'll be much better prepared for my next engine swap.