85 k20 torque converter spacing..updated pics

[joedapper]

First off, an update: I picked up this k20 in April and got it running/on the road in early august.

But now i hear there may be an issue.

The truck at idle sounds like a rock being shaken about in an empty paint can.  upon inspection of my trans/engine mating, my buddy noticed that i had implemented washers as spacers between the flex plate and torque converter.

The logic behind this was, as i was tightening the bolts that hold the 2 together, the TC was pulling away from the pump, given that the splines are only so long on the shaft into the pump i figured that the TC should remain as close to the pump as possible.

Does this make sense? Does anyone have experience with this and if left as is will it destroy my transmission?

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Ok, so above are the pics and as you can see i used 3 washers to space the flex plate and the torque converter.  all the bolts have the same number of washers to keep it all level.  Again the logic was that the converter was, for whatever reason being pulled away from the pump, but when i took it out of there it was not the case, the converter was tight in there. I know i didnt have any spare parts left over when i put it back together and dint get me wrong, it starts and drives and even overheats, but for a while it seriously sounds like a rock in a trash can or some thing rattling around.  Do torque converters make this kind of noise when they go bad? I'll take any advice here.  Thanks in advance.

[joedapper]

any ideas?? anyone??? guess i should have saved up for a toyota

[VileZambonie]

Or you should have done it right the first time. Putting those spacers in there takes the subbort away from the converter in the back of the crank and will usually break the flexplate and take out the trans pump. It should mate flush.

remove your converter bolts and push the converter into the trans. Start it up and see if the noise changes.

[eventhorizon66]

Spacing the TC and flexplate with washers is an acceptable practice in situations where you would otherwise pull the TC too far out and where a proper length bolt is used.  But it is also acceptable (desireable) for the TC to move away from the trans a small amount as you are bolting it to the flexplate (I think about 1/8" - 1/4").  If it is shimmed tight, that would be a problem.  Remove the bolts/washers and push the TC back all the way into the trans, then measure the distance between the TC and flexplate at the bolt points.  If it is 1/8" - 1/4" then just bolt it up directly with no washers.  If it is more, then use the appropriate amount of washers.  Are you sure the flex plate is not cracked?

You might want to hear from a more expereinced member here, but I believe I am right on that acceptable distance of 1/8" - 1/4".

^^You did already hear from a more experienced member while I was typing.  Listen to VileZambonie.

[SUX2BU99]

I had the same noise. Turns out my converter bolts were rather loose. Tightened them up, noise gone. Freaked me OUT until I figured it out though. Rattles like that from underneath do not bode well. I don't have any spacers though. What kind of TC is that? Mine is same color.

[joedapper]

I'll check these suggestions out tonight. As far as what TC that is..i have no clue. its the stock one.  What makes this whole situation so weird is that all i did was swap in new reverse bands and put it back together..odds are that it could have been pulled away from the pump that much this whole time but it didn't look right after i had it bolted up flush.

Thank you all for the good tips.  And Keep them coming, I'll take any suggestions at the moment.

[VileZambonie]

Reverse bands? What transmission do you have?

[joesgarage71]

 

[malibu795]

Reverse bands? What transmission do you have?

i was goign to ask how is the tranny mounting surface to the engine?
first glance thought he had the flex plate on backwards... but its not..
flex plate could be bent.

i have had less then 1/8" of clearance on my autos...

the TC need room to expaned/flex with the hot fluid