I am trying to install a B & M 3600 stall in my 72 chevelle with a 350 tranny and 350 small block. I am having trouble with clearance between the convertor and flexplate. I thought there should always be a little clearance between these when the tranny is bolted up. Whenever it is bolted up it's tight and pushing the flexplate back about a 1/8 of an inch. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
Nathan Clemons

Nathan,
Are you sure the torque converter is fully engaged? I always have to spin them several times back an forth to be sure they drop in. It appears this is what is binding, from your description. Once it drops in, you should gain about a 1/2".

Be careful to not bolt up the transmission to force the converter. It may damage the front pump. Also while I have the tranny out I normally replace the front seal, just for my ease of mind. Good luck!

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Ed C.
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70SS 396/350 4speed
70 LS6 4speed under resto.
00 C5 6speed

I posted a similar question a few weeks ago, and the responses were "between 1/8" & 3/16" clearance between the convertor and flexplate. It sounds like your converter isn't fully seated in the front pump "dogs". I'm assuming this is a replacement convertor, and not a "new" install? The mounting holes for the convertor in the flexplate are on raised areas of the flexplate. These raised areas should be pointed rearward. If not, the flexplate is on backwards.

[This message has been edited by John D (edited 08-15-2002).]

[This message has been edited by John D (edited 08-15-2002).]

#1 if you got the flex plate on at all and got all of the bolts in then it is NOT on backwards. It is physically impossible to install a flex plate or flywheel backwards because the bolt holes won't line up if you have then backwards. The holes in the plate/flywheel and the crank are arranged eccentrically for that reason.

#2 If you haven't already broken something back your transmission up an inch or so and start rotating the torque converter in either direction until it goes backwards towards the transmission such that there is very little clearance between the front pump and the converter. You will know that you have met your objective when you can spin the converter freely by hand with the transmission fully bolted up to the engine.

If you can't do that then you haven't engaged the pump tangs with the notches on the converter snout, so you keep trying. It will eventually drop into place. Be patient. Good luck.