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Removing transmission, can torque converter be left on engine?

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Old Aug 26, 2010 | 02:25 PM
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Project 3.4 Camaro's Avatar
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From: PA
Car: 1996 Camaro, 1985 Camaro
Engine: 3.8, 3.4
Transmission: WC T5, 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.23(?), 3.42
Removing transmission, can torque converter be left on engine?

Here's my situation/problem, I am removing my transmission because While swapping engines I put the torque converter in wrong(didn't engage the oil pump/rotor) because of this I cannot rotate the engine, but everything I've read says to pull transmission and torque converter together, and I am worried that if I do not I might mess up the splines, so I need some input on the best way to proceed here...
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Old Aug 26, 2010 | 02:27 PM
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Re: Removing transmission, can torque converter be left on engine?

i would unbolt the converter from the flywheel and drop the tranny. its alot easier that way.
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Old Aug 26, 2010 | 02:30 PM
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From: East Tennessee
Car: 1992 Z28 Heritage Edition
Engine: L98
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.23:1
Re: Removing transmission, can torque converter be left on engine?

Originally Posted by Project-RS
i would unbolt the converter from the flywheel and drop the tranny. its alot easier that way.
Same here.
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Old Aug 26, 2010 | 02:32 PM
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Re: Removing transmission, can torque converter be left on engine?

when installing the converter. you will hear 2 clicks. if you dont hear 2 then pull it off and try again.
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Old Aug 26, 2010 | 02:45 PM
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From: PA
Car: 1996 Camaro, 1985 Camaro
Engine: 3.8, 3.4
Transmission: WC T5, 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.23(?), 3.42
Re: Removing transmission, can torque converter be left on engine?

You guys are forgetting I can't unbolt the torque converter If I can't rotate the crank to get to all the bolts...
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Old Aug 26, 2010 | 02:50 PM
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Re: Removing transmission, can torque converter be left on engine?

well in that case. i would disconnect the driveshaft, crossmember that holds the transmission mount. and unbolt the tranny from the block. if the camaro is high enough, you can try to slide the transmission away from it.
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Old Aug 26, 2010 | 04:33 PM
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From: East Tennessee
Car: 1992 Z28 Heritage Edition
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Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.23:1
Re: Removing transmission, can torque converter be left on engine?

Originally Posted by 3rd gen RS
You guys are forgetting I can't unbolt the torque converter If I can't rotate the crank to get to all the bolts...
Why not? Seized engine?
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Old Aug 26, 2010 | 04:54 PM
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From: PA
Car: 1996 Camaro, 1985 Camaro
Engine: 3.8, 3.4
Transmission: WC T5, 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.23(?), 3.42
Re: Removing transmission, can torque converter be left on engine?

"While swapping engines I put the torque converter in wrong(didn't engage the oil pump/rotor) because of this I cannot rotate the engine"

Would like to keep the damage and repair bill to a minimum..
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Old Aug 26, 2010 | 09:31 PM
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From: Petal Ms.
Car: 1990 Iroc
Engine: 6.0
Transmission: 4l65E
Axle/Gears: 373 zexel torsen
Re: Removing transmission, can torque converter be left on engine?

If you cant rotate the torque converter while its connected to the engine how are you going to get it out of the trans if its seized that bad? First try and remove your spark plugs that will get rid of engine compression and you should be able to rotate it with a flywheel bar, oh yea make sure tranny is in neutral.
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Old Aug 26, 2010 | 10:23 PM
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Re: Removing transmission, can torque converter be left on engine?

With a seized engine, the only way you can get the tranny off is to leave the converter attached to the flexplate. Yours is from improper installation.

Unbolt the tranny and pull it back enough until the friction interference allows you to rotate the engine to unbolt the converter then pull the tranny back out and install the converter into the tranny properly.

When installing a converter into the transmission, there are 3 stops or clicks before it's fully seated. When installing the transmission, the converter should spin freely and needs to be pulled toward the flexplate about 1/8" after the bellhousing bolts are installed. If the converter binds against the flexplate as you tighten up bellhousing bolts then the converter isn't seated properly. Pull it out and do it again.

Once you install the converter all the way into the tranny, there should be very little room on the pump side and the converter face will be well behind the bellhousing mount surface.
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Old Aug 27, 2010 | 07:18 AM
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From: PA
Car: 1996 Camaro, 1985 Camaro
Engine: 3.8, 3.4
Transmission: WC T5, 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.23(?), 3.42
Re: Removing transmission, can torque converter be left on engine?

So pull it with torque converter after pulling it back far enough to rotate engine? Any tips on how to do this while balancing it on a floor jack with a piece of wood...my main concern is it sliding backwards off the jack once I unbolt it from the block.
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Old Aug 27, 2010 | 05:40 PM
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Car: 86 Camaro
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Removing transmission, can torque converter be left on engine?

Just to add to the gloominess, I've never seen a case when someone cinched down the bell housing bolts with the torque converter not properly seated where it DIDN'T bust the pump in the transmission.

Dan
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Old Aug 27, 2010 | 05:42 PM
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Car: 1984 camaro
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Re: Removing transmission, can torque converter be left on engine?

very carefully, i think you'll just have to play it by ear for the balancing part. or buy one of those adapters to make your floor jack a trans jack
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Old Aug 27, 2010 | 05:53 PM
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From: PA
Car: 1996 Camaro, 1985 Camaro
Engine: 3.8, 3.4
Transmission: WC T5, 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.23(?), 3.42
Re: Removing transmission, can torque converter be left on engine?

Originally Posted by danandamy
Just to add to the gloominess, I've never seen a case when someone cinched down the bell housing bolts with the torque converter not properly seated where it DIDN'T bust the pump in the transmission.

Dan
Yeah I'm counting on it, but hopefully I can just replace the rotor in the pump and not the whole pump, I am somewhat worried I might have bent the flexplate though, it was pinched against the block when the trans was still in it.
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Old Aug 29, 2010 | 10:08 AM
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Re: Removing transmission, can torque converter be left on engine?

Did you start the engine??? I forgot to ask when I posted in your other post. If you didn't you might be alright but I wouldn't get your hopes up. You might be able to see the pump tangs once you get the converter off the trans but it might look ok and still be broken/cracked. You would be best off to remove the pump and inspect it that way. I posted the procedure in your other post.
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