Red Motor Torque Converter and Flex Plate Not Marrying Up.

[jwm]

I realise this is probably not the most appropriate forum on which to post this question but I know there are a lot of forum members who run red motors/trimatics in their cars or have worked on such vehicles. I also appreciate the depth of knowledge on this forum, so I though I would post the question here and see if I can find the answer.

I recently changed the motor in my car from a 186 to a 202, the gearbox and converter were never removed from the vehicle. During the process I also fitted a new Magnum flex plate to the crank. When we went to move the torque converter forward, it would not marry up to the flex plate, there was about a 3-4mm space between the 2 components. We finished up trying 4 different flex plates, 2 of which were oem parts, 2 different gear boxes and 2 locators. While the oem flex plates reduced the gap between itself and the converter, never the less, there was still a gap.

I had this same problem some time ago when refitting a rebuilt trimatic to a 186. On that occasion we also fitted a new Magnum Flex Plate to that vehicle. At the time I just used spacers between the flex plate and the converter, believing that the magnum flex plate must have had a different offset. As I understand it, on the v8's there is a gap between the converter and flex plate but not on the 6's.

Having struck the problem a 2nd time, I had numerous people look at the problem, including a transmission specialist, but nobody could actually solve the problem or tell me why it was occurring. The transmission expert told me that there should be no gap between the converter and the flex plate, that they should butt up to each other.

Having done some research on the web, this is obviously mot an unusual issue with which to be confronted, as seen in the post in the following link:

http://oldholden.com/node/57356

And yes, the locator was fitted before the flexplate and there is no manual spigot fitted to the crank.

While I've got around the problem by removing 2mm from the face of the locator and fitting 2mm spacers between the flex plate and converter, It still concerns me that this was necessary and why it happens in the first place?

Any ideas or knowledge, fact or fiction will be much appreciated.

By the way, merry Christmas guys and gals.

John Murray

[NES304]

I realise this is probably not the most appropriate forum on which to post this question but I know there are a lot of forum members who run red motors/

Why?
Many of us have V8's etc.....

[jwm]

Thanks Nes304, I understand and appreciate that point. But some forum members have red 6's and many more have played around with them. I'm just hoping that somebody can shed some light on the issue I raised.

[NIFFTY]

john,
I thought you were buying a hot rod
as you know I sold my fc wagon and now have a 54 chev,v8etc
next time you are in Berry call in I think you would be interested to see what I have done
niffty

[jwm]

Hi Nifty, I did, this motor and box are in a 1936 chev sloper. PM sent.

[ACE]

G'day John,
Have you tried fitting the torque converter without the locator to see if it bolts up flush?
Thats the only thing i can think of that could be stopping it from fitting flush and you may have to modify it.
Regards ACE 

[jwm]

Thanks Ace. I've been on the oldholden site and the general opinion on there is that there should be a gap (2-3mm) beween the flex plate and converter (even though my auto guys says no gap)and that you just close the gap with the retaining bolts when you tighten them. I think the fact that I have a greater gap (about 4mm) is due to a variance casued by using an after market flex plate. I'm going to have to modify something.