Thread: 700r4 torque converter spacing to flex plate

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I just installed a 700r4 to a 350 chevy, With the torque converter in place, pushed as far back on the shaft as it would go there was a gap between the torque converter and the flex plate, about 1/2 inch. Is this normal ? When I install the torque converter to flex plate bolts will it pull ths torque converter out of its correct resting position ? Are there spacers that need to take up this gap or is this normal ?

The bolt lugs shouldn't touch the flexplate. There should be a gap of about 3/16", but NEVER more than 1/4". DON'T use the bolts to pull it on. You probably don't have the pump engaged. If you force it, you'll hose up the pump and/or the converter. Rotate the converter while gently pushing in and it should engage the pump and drop into place. If the pump is engaged, and you still have the gap, you need precision shims to take up the slack.

I think he means he has it all together with the converter all the way back against the inside of the trans. If this is the case and you have 1/2" between the flexplate and the converter you are good to go. just move it forward (the converter) to the flexplate and tighten it up. The converter should move easy on the shaft.

Yes I have it all together with the converter all the way back against the inside of the trans and it does move easy on the shaft. I thought that the gap was a little to large. I was not sure if I slide the converter the 1/2 inch if it would come out too far and be pulled away from the tabs it sits in.

A 1/2 " is a lot but I'm not sure youd be out of the pump. I have never seen shims there. (between the plate and converter)If you pull it forward can you feel it come out of the pump??? When you put it in where was it when it(the converter) went into the pump??

I'm not sure if it came out of the pump when I moved it forward. I will check this morning. As far as were it was when it went into the pump here again I'm going to check it out this morning.

I check to postion of the converter when it was fully postioned in the pump( all they way back in the bell housing) and then moved it forward to the flex plate and it seens to still be engaged to the pump, but its hard to tell for sure.