I originally posted this in the bronco section, but I'm not getting any responses. Anyone have any ideas?

I just installed my engine/trans/transfer case, & I'm having a problem. The 6 o'clock converter stud doesn't penetrate the flexplate so I can get a nut on it. The others I can see have at least 2 threads. To make matters worse, I can't turn the engine when it's mated to the trans (both turn when they're apart). I've pulled it apart & reseated it about 10 times now, & no luck. The engine is a 5.0l, trans is a C4. The flexplate is the recommended one from the vendor and it's not hitting the converter drain plug. Getting pretty aggravated on this one, since this setup (with stock flexplate) was bolted to a 302. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

are you sure the converter is fully seated? is the trans on the dowel pins with a bolt or 2 holding it?

 

Yes, fully seated, & the trans is fully bolted to the block, yet the studs barely penetrate the flexplate (& don't at 6 o'clock). At first I was thinking someone broke part of the stud off, but it's still stamped with a "c" on the end, & if I pull it apart & rotate the converter, 6 o'clock is still bad. Not sure how anything more can be wrong since the trans is fully seated. I imagine converters get pulled out just a little as the nuts are torqued, but there should be a few threads through the flexplate to start with.

 

What vehicle is the 5.0L engine and C4 from? From what vehicle is the "recommended" flexplate from?

 

5.0l is a Ford Racing 306. C4 is from a 76 Bronco. Flexplate is new from a Bronco vendor...I'd call them if they were open, but they won't be until Tuesday. The flexplate is meant for 5.0l conversions, though.

 

Are you saying the bolt will not screw in?

Could be the wrong converter. The end of the crank may not fit inside the opening in the converter, thus not allowing the bolts to tighten up. I ran into this some yrs ago. Wrong converter for the crank end. The only thing I would say is remove the converter and measure both the crank end and the inside of the converter.
Course I'm old and most likely have no idea what I'm talking about. I'm most likely thinking about a VW. HAAAAaaaaaaaaaaa.

 

1) Did the flexplate come in a box with a Ford part number marked on it, like EOAZ-6375-A?

2) Is there a Ford ID number stamped on the flexplate, like C8OP-C?

3) How many teeth on the flexplate, 157 or 164?

If 1 and/or 2 are unknown, ask the "recommender" what applications the flexplate applies to.

Fritz: There are studs on the converter, all are the same length. Lock nuts retain it to the flexplate (converter lock nuts should not be used more than once).

'Course I'm old (older than you), but...you and I usually know what the he!! we are speaking about. IMO, it's either the wrong converter or the flexplate.

 

There ya go. Bill would know. I'm just kinda here for the ride. Plus memory is not as it was. Maybe it WAS a VW I was thinking about. :O)

 

Ach du lieber! What FolksVagen came w/a 302/C4?

 

[QUOTE=The Masked Rider;10400029]Are you saying the bolt will not screw in?

Could be the wrong converter. The end of the crank may not fit inside the opening in the converter, thus not allowing the bolts to tighten up. I ran into this some yrs ago. Wrong converter for the crank end. The only thing I would say is remove the converter and measure both the crank end and the inside of the converter.
Course I'm old and most likely have no idea what I'm talking about. I'm most likely thinking about a VW. HAAAAaaaaaaaaaaa.[/QUOTE

X2, more than likely he has the wrong TC.

 

Well, live & learn...I've done a lot of that. It wouldn't be a problem pulling it apatrt except for the transfer case. It really makes things harder, & I don't want to seperate it again. Like I posted earlier, the same C4/TC combo was bolted to a 1976 302, that's what's making this a pain. The flexplate is the standard 5.0 swap plate (164 tooth, 50oz). I've never heard of anyone having a problem with the end of the TC being too big for the crank, in this application, but there's like a billion different TCs out there. That may explain why I can't turn the engine over manually too, if the TC is crammed into the C4. If that's the case & it broke the tranny (heard horror stories about that when guys didn't line up the drain plug), I think I'll burn the whole thing down...

 

"Ach du lieber! What FolksVagen came w/a 302/C4?"

Bill, that would be a very fast one. ;O)

 

Flexplate on backwards, pilot bushing from manual tranny in crankshaft, wrong converter, wrong bolts in flexplate, either way it has to come out. And yes, it is easy to bust the pump gears in tranny.

 

Is there a way to check the gears while the tranny is out without a complete disassembly?

 

Wasn't a doubt when I busted mine. I heard it snap. I don't do tranny's. I could hear/feel it was broke with tranny on the ground and turning the torque converter. It should rotate without locking. I think there was a set of 3 gears and the broken piece would lock it up.