1. Using a lift or jack stands raise car off the ground far enough to be able to slide transmission out
from under the vehicle.
2. After the vehicle is raised, drain the transmission fluid into a drain pan by removing the pan bolts
from the rear half of the pan then slowly loosen the remaining bolts to allow pan to tilt down
towards the ground allowing the fluid to drain into the drain pan.
3. Remove the battery cable, starter (if necessary), driveshaft, torque converter bolts, exhaust (if
necessary), cross member and all of the transmission bolts except for one near the dowel pin.
4. Raise the transmission up slightly by placing a suitable transmission jack under the transmission.
5. Remove the last bellhousing bolt and remove the transmission.
6. Check the flexplate for cracks and chipped teeth on the ring gear. Take the new torque converter
and hold it against the flexplate to see if the application is correct by checking that the pilot size
and bolt circle are correct.
7. Add a quart of new transmission fluid to the torque converter. Using the aid of a helper, stand
the transmission on the tail shaft and carefully install the torque converter onto the transmission.
Spin the torque converter and listen for 3 distinct clicks as it drops into the transmission. The
following are measurements you can make to insure the torque converter is all the way in the
transmission:
Chrysler 727 = 1.250? from bellhousing to Ring Gear.
GM TH350, Powerglide = 1.125? from bellhousing to converter pads.
GM TH400 = 1.187? from bellhousing to converter pads.
GM 700 R4, 4L60E, 200-4R = 1.125? from bellhousing to converter pads.
GM 4L80E = 1.030? from bellhousing to converter pads.
Ford C6/C4 = 1.125? from bellhousing to converter pads.
AODE = 1.030? from bellhousing to converter pads.
AOD = 1.000? from bellhousing to converter pads.
Distance may vary +/- .050?.
8. Remove any debris in the crankshaft pilot hole and lubricate. Clean and lubricate the dowel pins.
Check to see that dowel pins will be in the transmission bellhousing by more than .250?.
9. Mount transmission to the back of the engine block making sure the bellhousing fits squarely
against the block. If it does not, find out why! Is there something between the bellhousing and
block or has the torque converter slipped out of the transmission? DO NOT PULL UP THE
BELLHOUSING TO THE BLOCK USING THE BELLHOUSING BOLTS!!!!
10. After the transmission bellhousing bolts are tightened, check to see if the torque converter will
turn by hand. Push the torque converter back into the transmission as far as it will go. Using
feeler gauges or calipers measure the gap between the flexplate converter mounting pad and the
torque converter mounting pad. If gap distance is between .060? and .187? it is OK to bolt up the
torque converter. If the gap is greater than .187? install a .060? flat washer between the torque
converter and flexplate.
11. Finish installing the cross member, exhaust, driveshaft, etc. Add 5 quarts of good quality
transmission fluid. Start the engine and immediately add 2 more quarts. Check the fluid and
finish filling the transmission to proper level.
