Another Build Thread - My '32

[J. Robinson]

Well, the weather didn't cooperate for a picture, but I didn't get as far as I planned anyway...

I have a question for anyone who can answer it. I have assembled a bunch of cars over the years, but always dealt with small-blocks and, if I wasn't using a manual transmission, I generally used Turbo 350 and 400s. The torque converters, with some manipulation, always slipped into the trans deep enough that the trans then bolted up easily to the engine and the torque converter spun easily until It was pulled forward maybe 1/8 inch and was bolted to the flex plate. My question is, does a 700R-4 fit the same way? When I go to bolt the trans to the engine the center snout on the torque converter fits into the recess in the back of the crankshaft and, when I tighten the bell housing bolts to the block, the torque converter seems to be tight. Do I have something wrong here? The trans seems to go together with the block normally, but the TC won't spin easily.

I'm trying to avoid having to pull the trans out later after I have the body on the chassis, so I want to address this issue now.

[Hotrod46]

Definitely not right. All the 700's I've installed went in as easily as a TH350. The torque converter made the same 2 clunks going in and always had to be pulled back forward to mate up with the flex plate. From what I can gather from your post, your pump will be short lived if you go with it as is. Sorry, can't tell you what your specific issue is.

I would start by measuring the diameter of the snout on the torque converter to see if it matches the counter bore in the crank. Also, check for a manual trans pilot bearing that may have been inadvertently left in.

[34_40]

ALso check the convertor journal closely, see if the pump bearing has sufficient clearance ( or related damage/galling) from the convertor journal being force in. I'd say it's rare but I have seen the bearing cocked during assembly with the damage causing issues later.

[J. Robinson]

Thanks, guys. Tomorrow I will separate the two (engine and trans) and investigate. Hopefully it's just a matter of the lugs in the pump and the notches in the TC snout not lining up. Thanks for answering my questions. I'll let you all know.

[jerry clayton]

Make sure the flywheel isn't on backwards-----------

[J. Robinson]

Thanks everyone for the input. I checked the flex plate again even though I had referenced a picture online before I bolted it on Saturday. It was on correctly. After verifying it was correct I turned my attention back to the torque converter. I've never had one fool me and frustrate me as much as this one. It felt like it was seated; I could swear it was slipping onto the pump lugs, but a straight-edge and ruler kept telling me it wasn't in near deep enough. I took it out 4 times to verify where the lugs were positioned. Then I would slip the converter back in and it would feel like it was catching the lugs, but no. Wiggle it a little, rotate it a bit, wiggle again. I can usually hit it on the second or third "wiggle and rotate", but this SOB required me to remove it and start over 4 times. FINALLY, it went in all the way! I guess the lugs and notches in this trans are a tighter fit than usual. Anyway, after screwing with it for about 3 hours it's together and mounted back in the frame.

Maybe tomorrow I'll get the exhaust system back on and I'll get a picture. Next on the build list is brake lines...

[34_40]

Hooray! LOL.. glad to hear it finally went together and is back where it needs to be. And with no collateral damage!

[Hotrod46]

Yeah, nice to hear it was something fairly simple.

[J. Robinson]

Well, that was one hurdle. Now I have another one - the exhaust system doesn't want to fit! I lost Tuesday to other obligations. Wednesday morning I took my wife for a medical appointment. That afternoon I started re-assembling the exhaust pipes. The first section from the header collectors to the cutouts went right into place as they should. The next section fought me, then the mufflers and tailpipes simply refused ro go where they were before. They are both hitting in two or three places! I finally just walked away from it rather than start beating it to death with a big hammer... I built the pipes on this chassis with this engine, same headers, same mounts, same everything. All I did was blow it apart and paint everything and now the exhaust doesn't fit! I'm beginning to wonder if the Hot Rod Gods don't want me to build this car. Everything I have tried to do to it this past week has been a fight. Anyway, I have stayed on other projects for a couple of days - I'll try again tomorrow.

[NTFDAY]

The newer hot rod gods are probably pissed because you went with a straight axle instead of the obviously far superior, if only in their minds, IFS.

[Hotrod46]

Was everything tight when it was mocked up? Even a little looseness up front would make a big difference by the time you get to the rear.

Mufflers may have been swapped end to end or side to side (or both). The ends are most likely not concentric, even on high end mufflers. Even the band clamps could be causing issues if they are not back in the same place, though not very likely.

Is the rear ride height the same as it was during construction?

[J. Robinson]

Well, Ken, I hope that's not the problem. The gods will just have to get over it 'cause I'm not changing it now!

Yes, Mike, I thought about all that after I settled down a bit. I'm going to take the tailpipes, mufflers, and intermediate pipes off and reassemble it all one piece at a time. If I have to, I'll modify the pieces as I go. Either way I'll report it here as always.

[NTFDAY]

Well, Ken, I hope that's not the problem. The gods will just have to get over it 'cause I'm not changing it now!

Yes, Mike, I thought about all that after I settled down a bit. I'm going to take the tailpipes, mufflers, and intermediate pipes off and reassemble it all one piece at a time. If I have to, I'll modify the pieces as I go. Either way I'll report it here as always.

Jim, I'm glad you didn't take that wrong as I was poking the bear at the IFS crowd.

[Driver50x]

That exhaust system is fairly complex and crowded. It wouldn’t take much of a little turn here and there to make it not fit right on reassembly. I know you’ll figure it out. It’s all part of the fun Jim!

[jerry clayton]

You really don't think those little bright and shiny things are going to quiet a BBC do you???????