Newly built TH350 going in. Heard a couple pops after it was all bolted up as we let the trans jack off of it, didn't think much of it. All seemed well. TC went on smoothly with a couple clunks, and was deep in the bell. Seemed fine.

But then after install it sounds like little pieces of metal in a tin can around the converter area when it is in gear.

So... Pretty sure the torque converter on my TH350 wasn't seated properly on install.

Can I just buy a new pump and TC, install them, flush it, and change the filter?

Looking for the quickest way to get this thing mobile and out of my driveway, the city is pretty pissed, lol

 

GEE... THANKS GUYS, lol

I found the problem... Converter bolts were pulling the flexplate out of round and causing a bunch of runout which would tap the block/bell and make the sound.

A 1/8" washer between the converter tabs and the flexplate fixed it.

 

Washers between the converter tabs and the flexplate? Is the flexplate on backwards? I think you have other issues.

 

I have washers between mine. Vigilante install instructions specified a maximum between the TC and Flywheel. I was more so I added a washer to take up the slack. Is that not a known good practice?

 

not really. if you have to install washers, something isn't right(flexplate bent/ converter not aligned properly). the converter needs a little room to flex which is why you have to pull it towards the flywheel when installing to get the bolts in. helps keep the converter from driving your rotor into the pum p cover in the transmission.

 

There's always a possibility that the torque converter is designed for use with a mid plate. The mounting pads on the flexplate should also face the converter.

Does the converter pilot fit into the flexplate at all? If not then the converter isn't close enough to the flexplate.

 

Yeah it fits into it. I actually thought it fit too much. So when I saw that I was like oh, I guess I may need to add washers/spacers like they said. I am going to inspect it again. No ill effects so far. Been in there for nearly 3 months.

 

Did you ever figure anything out with that UnderCover? Mine is still in, no ill effects, shifts like a champ. I never put many miles on it though. It mostly just sits and occasionally driven to work by my wife.