I removed the torque converter to make sure everything mounted right. I can get the TQ most of the way on, but there's a last 2-3 inches I can't get it to go. Ideas on what this may be?

 

Are you rotating it as you are holding up and pushing it in?

 

Usually that's the front pump tangs not aligning with the slots in the converter.

 

Maybe you should 1st mention ?????????
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...anny-onto.html

that you stuffed up taking it apart and were warned you may have damaged something when trying to put it back together
so guys are fully aware they are not dealing with a typical convertor install problem

The fact you broke part of the bellhousing trying to jam it back together makes it highly likely you damaged
the convertor or input parts of the trans in the process; given that would be the only thing that stopped everything sliding together correctly

 

Disregard what I said earlier. That would've been helpful info.

 

lift up slightly in the center **** on the torque convertor and rotate it. It'll slide right back in place. don't use any artificial way of force on in.

 

Read his original post , he has already tried that method and broke things

 

that's what happens when I don't read things completely. I didn't realize that was his post.

Good news: if it is a TH-350 you can get a new bell housing for it. all you do is cut off the old one and it bolts to the front of the oil pump.

Bad news: you may need to purchase a new torque convertor and oil pump. I recommend taking it to a transmission shop to have them inspect it and inform you of what needs to be replaced. then have them replace the parts as needed. I'm pretty sure they could do the bell housing at there too.

 

Remember the convertor clutch inside the convertor. That bastard needs to hop onto the gears as well and that's where I once quit with a new convertor. Couldn't get it on.
So while pushing it on, keep rotating and slightly tilting it. At some point you'll feel it move on a bit more.

 

This is probably my issue.
The only thing I broke was the bell housing. Luckily I'm friends with a mechanic and I had him come inspect it. Everything checked out. I'm just having trouble putting it on.

 

Make sure theres no pilot bearink in the crank from the new eng . bet thats how the bellhousing broke!

 

http://www.jegs.com/i/J-W-Performanc...oductId=748597

 

How could that be?

 

So how come the mech didn't fit the convertor to the trans as that would be the only sure way of " checking " it ?

And the reason for that is ....?