engine swap project

[Jrgunn5150]

So the motor went back in today. Bolted up to the trans, and re installed the motor mount bolts. Those 12 bolts and getting it lined up took 6 hours flying solo. arghhhh! I would recommend a helper to anybody doing this. I have a strong 1/4 inch gap between the flex plate and converter. Is it o.k. to just pull the converter forward and bolt up? Common sense says yes, but asking anyway. I also found a leak in the line from transmission to radiator that needs to be fixed while I was under there.
Eric

1/8" is the standard distance to look for on converter gap.

 

[waterpirate]

Should I buy longer bolts and insert a flat washer or let it ride? I have come this far I do not want to go back for a silly mistake now.
Eric

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Washers are what I'd do, sorry, it's been five days.

 

[C10MixMaster]

no washers. 1/4 inch is normal

 

[waterpirate]

So we are on to my next problem. The flex plate from my dead 87 1 piece rear main seal was 168 tooth. I bought a 168 tooth flex plate for the 84 2 piece rear main seal block. Went to bolt up my off set starter and the nose cone is touching the flex plate teeth. Solution?
Eric

Ditch my aluminum nose starter for the cast iron nose version?

 

[bucket]

Is this a new to you starter, or one you used previously?

 

[waterpirate]

Thanx for the reply!
The starter was original to the 87 truck with the blown motor. Big high torque model.
Eric

 

[bucket]

The starter should fit, so something else is up. Is there a chance that you accidentally bolted the flexplate to the engine backwards?

 

[Jrgunn5150]

The starter should fit, so something else is up. Is there a chance that you accidentally bolted the flexplate to the engine backwards?

That might explain the gap as well

 

[bucket]

That might explain the gap as well

That's what I was thinking too.

 

[Rusty Nail]

Ruh-Roh Raggy!

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[waterpirate]

Thanx for the thoughts. I will get back into this on Saturday. I will verify flexplate direction and get back to you all. Having never installed a starter with the lower bell housing removed I may have made a mountain out of nothing..... It looked like the starter was touching the flexplate. No glasses. I will re install the starter and turn the flex plate by hand to verify, with glasses. lol Hopefully this is my brain on beer and I am still on track and not watching the " mystery machine " drive away.
Eric

 

[idahovette]

Thanx for the thoughts. I will get back into this on Saturday. I will verify flexplate direction and get back to you all. Having never installed a starter with the lower bell housing removed I may have made a mountain out of nothing..... It looked like the starter was touching the flexplate. No glasses. I will re install the starter and turn the flex plate by hand to verify, with glasses. lol Hopefully this is my brain on beer and I am still on track and not watching the " mystery machine " drive away.
Eric

Glasses are good especially when they are full of BEER!!

 

[waterpirate]

My glasses are always full as I brew at home. Anyone else following my mechanic adventures homebrew? I have a killer recipe for a Edmund fitzgerald clone, and a irish red that is to die for at 9%
Eric

 

[Jrgunn5150]

My glasses are always full as I brew at home. Anyone else following my mechanic adventures homebrew? I have a killer recipe for a Edmund fitzgerald clone, and a irish red that is to die for at 9%
Eric

Is that another thread?