trans swap help needed

[texas03042]

95 ranger 2.3 automatic
I have removed the trans and put one from a 96 in.
but when I tried to rotate the motor to put the converter/flywheel nuts on, the motor is locked up. can't turn it with the same 16 inch ratchet the I used when removing the nuts.
if I loosen the bell housing to block bolts the motor turns.
what have I done wrong?

 

[adsm08]

You didn't seat the converter the whole way before putting the trans in.

Pull it back out (I know, it sucks, but there is no other way to do it) and then wiggle the converter around until it sits really deep in the bell. If you take it out it should go down 3 clunks. The first one can be hard to miss.

 

[texas03042]

thanks for the reply
took trans back out. starting to get good at it!
converter looked to be as far in as it can go. pulled it out to listen/feel for the 3 clunks.
shaft in the middle is jammed into the converter. tried tapping with a hammer but it wont budge. the spines weren't aligned right.
never having been into the guts of a a4l, is there anything apt to be damaged in the trans itself rom the shaft pushing into it?
if not, or not likely, i'll use the old converter and shaft. if so. i'll put the old trans back in.
this is a shoestring budget job and the truck has to be able to get me to work Tuesday
looks like no beer drinking beach time this weekend

 

[adsm08]

Put the old shaft and converter in. Drain the converter as best you can and add a quart of fresh fluid to it before reinstalling it.

The stuff getting jammed up like that is a symptom of the converter not being in the whole way.

 

[CountryBoy704]

If you lay something flat across the bellhousing the converter should be well clear, don't have my book on my anymore to tell you the exact spec but if you get 3 clunks you're good. Installing with the tranny sitting upright on the tailhousing(4x4) helped to really accent each drop for me so no guessing if it went or not.

 

[texas03042]

I tried the converter in the flywheel-damn heavy thing to hold overhead- and it fits easily
when I push the converter into the bell housing, the pilot shaft extends about 1/2 inch beyond the housing but the converter body is inside. the smallest portion of the pilot shaft and about 1/8 inch of the next larger step are outside. is this what you mean when you say have the converter inside the bell housing or does it need to be in more?

 

[Andy D]

That is a good tip CB! An easy thing to check.

Hearing about this problem before I did an engine swap was a good thing. It is a universal process with automagics. I gather. I made plenty of mistakes , but that wasn't one of them.

 

[adsm08]

If you measure the distance from the back of the block to the flex plate if should be about the same as the distance from the face of the bell housing to the tip of the converter studs when the converter is in the whole way.

 

[texas03042]

measured block/flex as about 1 3/8" kept getting 1/2 to 3/4 at converter.
stood trans on tail. shook rattled and rolled. no luck
brainstorm!. took shaft out and put converter in to see what I was looking for.
DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. trying to hold trans upright with knees, pull 500 pound converter straight up and get fingers free with all the skin still on them is not easy.
got converter out, put shaft in. back to shake rattle roll. take a break. come back, stand trans back on tail and converter just clunks down home. go figure

 

[texas03042]

final comment; only put 2 bell housing bolts in at first. snug them then put on the flex/converter nuts. this makes it easier to remove the trans again when you drop a nut inside the bell housing. DON"T ask me how I know.
starter, exhaust, and fluids left.
THANK YOU very much for the answers and advice
Dav

 

[adsm08]

For future reference, if you have two flex-head wrenches that are smaller than the nuts you can set them over the studs, put the nuts on a bit, and use them as handles for the converter so you don't smash your fingers.

 

[texas03042]

just when I thought it was over....it'sall back together but wont even try to move
both trucks drove to where they now sit so I know both trans work. and both converters.
know nothing about computer stuff or about lock up clutches.
any quick fix ideas?

fool that I am...didn't have enough ATF and didn't wait long enough for it to circulate and drive out the air.
seems to be okay