4L60e Torque Converter in a Bind

[jfkelley]

Before I mate the transmission to the engine I filled the TC up with ATF..I put the torque converter on turned it until it three times until I heard three clunks ..I have no idea how it got in a bind but between installing it on the engine and putting the engine in it binded up ..Put break over bar on harmonic balancer gave it a couple cranks and heard a ****!! My heart fell into my stomach ..Idk what happen but but TC spins freely now ..hope I didn’t f up anything up ..Like to hear your thoughts on this ? Thanks in advance

 

[yevgenievich]

Might have snapped the pump drive in the transmission.
Edit: clarification

 

[jfkelley]

I measured from flywheel to TC Tab and got .136.. ..I read that it needs to be between 0.60-.0.185..You guys think I’m ok?

 

[Matt69olds]

Don’t start it, it’s almost a certainty the converter slipped out of the pump while installing it. The pump rotor is junk. Right now all you will need is a rotor, start it you will need a pump, converter and most likely a complete overhaul to get the shrapnel out.

 

[Matt69olds]

Next time, slowly tighten the bellhousing bolts, stopping every few turn to make sure the converter spins freely. Anytime the converter locks or binds, you need to stop and find out why.

 

[jfkelley]

Thank Matt ..Lesson learned and I was almost done with the swap ..Now have to pull transmission and transfer case ..So disappointed..

 

[yevgenievich]

Should have put a warning on do not actually try checking pressure in above reply if suspecting pump issue

 

[jfkelley]

FYI I should have included this in the original post : The TC was not bolted to the Flex plate when I turned the Engine by using the Break-over bar

 

[jfkelley]

These are pics of where the TC is now ..The. Lot in the second one is barely threaded in ..Do
You think I need spacers ?

 

[Matt69olds]

The rule of thumb is 1/8 to 3/16 inch of converter pullout. In other words, with the converter buried in the pump as far as it will go, you should have 1/8-3/16 gap between the mounting tabs and the flexplate. You can usually get away with a little more than 3/16, but ideally you should use some washers to take up some space.

Did you reseat the converter, or actually remove it and inspect the pump? If the converter wasn’t seated and you tighten the bellhousing bolts, most likely the pump rotor is broken. Bad (and expensive!!) things WILL happen if you start it like that.

 

[jfkelley]

@Matt69olds..I measured from flywheel to TC Tab and got .136 that night .. ..The next morning I went out and was turning the TC by hand and pushing towards the rear end & it seated my gap is a little wider now it’s spinning in the bell housing by hand ..I can see it’s in the pilot bushing and I hear some clack clack’s when I move the TC back-and-forth no grinding noise ..I have another transmission on stand by