I got a message from a guy who is doing a torque converter install for the first time and I want to make sure my info is right... it's been a while.
Here was the message:
Could you give me a quick walkthrough of installing the Torque converter, and mating the bellhousing? I havent performed this operation before.
Once the TC is on the input shaft, how is it secured? Bolts? Studs?
Here was my answer.... if anybody sees something wrong or a step missing, please answer.... thanks Ford Tech.
Basically, the TC should have two "square holes" on the side that goes onto the input shaft. On the input shaft itself there are two "dogs".... think "keyway"...you just have to eyeball it the best you can and get it close, it may take some turning left and right to get it on there correctly.
It's a real bitch, or can be. The TC connects to the input shaft this way. No bolts there.... once you have it on the input shaft, you don't want to push it all the way to the back, it needs at least 3/16ths of an inch to spin freely.
If the tranny is out of the car, you can "keep" the TC in place by running nylon tie straps through the bolt-holes on the bellhousing, leaving a hole big enough to hook in a little black bungie cord....
One you think it's on, jack up the tranny and you'll see 3 bolt holes on the flexplate, the TC bolts to that.
Remember to make sure that the TC spins freely after bolting it to the flexplate. Also, to remove the bungie cord, just cut the tie-strap.. (zip tie).
Good luck man.....