bad, bad day!!

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Mar 28, 2010 | 06:52 PM

5pattys

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 21

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From: Plainfield, In.

bad, bad day!!

Thought it would be such a good weekend. I have a rebuilt 400, new intake, 600 holley, and breather on top. Plan: pull out the factory 351m, drop in the 400. Same exteriors, all should go smooth right.
Reality: stupidity, torque converter jammed, broken bell housing. Don't know if the front pump is damaged. Think I can still use the tranny??? Broke the ear on the bell where the top starter bolt goes in, includes the trans bolt right above it. Any thoughts????
Thanks

Mar 28, 2010 | 07:02 PM

79FordBlake

Posting Guru

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 1,735

Likes: 2

From: Wingo, Ky

So im guessing your tried to put it together with the torque converter already bolted to engine? That always ends in a nightmare. Way less headaches to leave the torque converter on the tranny and make sure it is still properly positioned and in all the way. Then bolt the converter to flexplate after engine is in and trans is bolted to it.

Mar 28, 2010 | 08:24 PM

Bowtie_Schmowtie

Elder User

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 741

Likes: 8

From: Western N.C.

Sounds like he tried to pull it out with the TC still bolted to the flexplate, it got hung up with the engine halfway out, and he tried to lever it past the bellhousing...SNAP!

Hopefully not, though...

I would not use that bellhousing after that. Being that the bellhousing is cast as a part of the transmission, I would be looking for another trans.

Mar 28, 2010 | 09:31 PM

fastfarmer

Laughing Gas

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 754

Likes: 2

From: southwest Wisconsin

I'm afraid there's no good news for you. Time to hunt for a different transmission.
I know this comes too late but if you're having trouble taking something apart or putting it back together just ask here, plenty of folks to help out.

Mar 28, 2010 | 10:29 PM

OrangeJuice

More Turbo

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 703

Likes: 3

From: Western Washington

Do you have to replace the whole transmission or can you get a different bell housing to use?

OJ

Mar 28, 2010 | 11:38 PM

starmilt

Post Fiend

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 10,501

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From: Faibanks Ak.

Well if he is worried about the front pump it is at least an auto and more than likely a c6,so tranny it is. I have seen them welded before, but if the starter ear brokeoff it would be doubtful.

Mar 31, 2010 | 08:20 AM

5pattys

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 21

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From: Plainfield, In.

sometimes even a little bit of luck shines on the back side of this dumb dog!!
I was able to trade the old 351m to a guy for a rebuilt c6. Yes we tried to leave the torque converter on, mistake #1. Live and learn right?
All is back together and running well. The 400 I put back in peppy to say the least. I just went and got some donut gaskets to fix the exhaust leaks(imagine that right!). Going to take it to a buddies this weekend to get the carb tuned in then Im golden. Of course I didn't know when I bought the intake kit from Summit that I would have to get adapter for the kickdown, so another minor thing.