Urgent Question, and "Did you know?"

[Begle1]

First of all, does the tranny dip stick seal in a way other than pressure fitting in there? Mine was just pressure fitted in and had RTv all around it.


And did you know that there are TWO inspection covers for the torque converter? And that it's REALLY HARD to drop the transmission without taking the TC bolts out through the little cover first? That little cover buried under 1/2 inch of grime behind the downpipe and under the turbocharger?


On another note, is there any tricks to aligning the TC holes to the flywheel holes?

[Rebel Ram]

Well.....Yeah!

[KTA]

turn the converter so the drain plug is on the bottom when you put the tranny in. That way you can use the plug to twist the converter some to get the holes to line up. be shure to just put the bolts in fingr tight until you get them all started or sometimes you cant get one started till you loosen the others back up.

[PToombs]

Should be an o-ring in the case for a stick tube seal.

[TWorline]

Aah silicone, duct tape in a tube!

[ccab85]

There is an arrow cast into the adapter plate at about the 6:30 position looking at it from the trans forward, line up a TC bolt with that arrow and the corresponding bolt will be accesible through the small inspection cover below the water to oil cooler on the pass side of the block. The dipstick is sealed with an o-ring, if is removed or leaking replace it, smear a little black RTV on it to facilitate assembly and guard against leaks and reinstall. Easy enough.

[PToombs]

Aaaahhh! Remember the good ol days when the torque converter only went in one way? Get 3 bolts in and the 4th one wouldn't go?
Aaaahhh, memories!

[TWorline]

Yeah I remember that, it gave a whole new meaning to idiot proof.

[Begle1]

Well, got that in.

I only have 1 turn on the full power screw, so it isn't too noticeable of an effect. Stalls maybe a bit lower, picked up a couple MPH on the topend, spools way better in third gear, doesn't seem any faster from a stand still. Next mods would be more screw turns, a repaired pyrometer from Autometer, a BHAF airbox complete with nitrous jets and guillotine, and some sideliners.

Most noticible change: my boost gauge totally lost it's flutter. I figured that was a grenading turbocharger or bad gauge, but I guess it was the old converter putting an unsteady load on the engine. Anybody notice that before?


The O-ring on the dipstick tube was pretty tired, so I just RTV'd it back.

What is this TC drain plug that you speak of?

[Rebel Ram]

I am interested in hearing your impresions of your TC once you have a chance to drive it awhile. I have one of Daves TCs in my 01 and would go back to Goerends over others if only for his personal method of doing bussiness. Let us know.

[KTA]

The TC drain plug is the 1/8" pipe plug in the converter so you can drain the oil out of it, either for fluid changing or so you dont take an oil bath when you R&R the TC.