Torque Converter Spacing / Shimming: Tech Tip Tuesday

[@fuse8052]

I just learned about this from watching Precision Transmission on youtube. I have changed a LOT of transmissions. I will be checking spacing from now on

[@Bill-xc8le]

Problem with precision transmission is they mention a lot of this stuff, but they dont show a damn thing

[@kylecroninger9686]

I have done many swaps as a tech and have seen thousands done by other techs. Never saw anyone check spacing untill I found precision transmission. Richard is the GOAT for transmissions and I have checked spacing ever since

[@makenzieburnette1582]

Doing my first ls swap been racking my brain on this one thank you gen 4 5.3 and a 700r4 is a bit tricky

[@brianwick3826]

Nicely done, and thank you. Mounting my new torque converter to my sbc right now, and this was an easy-to-watch and super informative video. Will check out more of your videos.

[@onemilemore541]

Thanks so much for the tip. I've been a diy mechanic for many years and had not heard or read this specific info before seeing the Bald Regal build. That portion of the build also came out in the nick of time for me doing my own LS swap into my G-body El Camino. Also enjoy this video being straight to the point without excessive banter between every single person at the shop. Keep 'em coming please.

[@markcollard9326]

That sounds awesome, I love me an El Camino, and Monte Carlo SS.

[@lanabyk8012]

The spacing is so vital to the good health of the engine, it is incredible to know that many torque converters fail every day due to inadequate spacing. That is just something that no one should experience. Consult a local dealer to get the proper specification.

[@SloppyMechanics]

Just the tip Tuesday

[@keithseiwert2256]

I would have made a mistake if it wasn't for you guys. Thank you for saving me time money and frustration

[@Realest1979]

Nice vid. Not full of fluff or hit air. Straight and to the point!

[@mspeir]

Thank you! I was expecting this to be far more complicated!

[@4eyefox]

I noticed motion made a turbo kit for coyote swaps. Definitely interested when the time comes. Keep up the good work.

[@YLegalRacing]

Very good info, especially since we're doing a power glide project soon!

[@draculaS2k]

Dude thank you so much! I kept on questioning the whole having so much slack to touch the flexplate!

[@bradmorgan911]

Awesome video - short and to the point and very valuable tech information.

[@freakineagle]

Excellent video. Very educational without all the BS. Thanks. Hotrod Ronnie

[@robertlogan3421]

You guys are awesome! Thank you for posting this great video. I thought something was wrong when I saw I had space like you had on the white board. Your a lifeaaver

[@brianmolnar6990]

Thanks, that something I can tonight on my 5.3 ls th400 combo now

[@spadesgarage2519]

If the gap is greater than 3/16" then you put in a washer. If it's between 1/8 and 3/16" than no washers required and just bolt it in. Correct?

[@pearsooo6972]

Thank you for the info. Now I can move forward

[@BOOT]

Had to do this on one of my cars, l keep a box of grade 8 washers around anyways so finding three the same thickness wasn't to much of a hassle. I also had to make bolt sleeves out of tubing cause that converter the holes were to large

[@michaelsparks4427]

That's great advice, but my aod torque converter didn't have any washers and that was a stock transmission.

[@slekbekTA]

Why not just measure the distance with the TC pushed all the way in and subtract 1/8 - 3/16 from that measurement?

[@nopleaseno2515]

Genius! Even better thank you! Cheers

[@chuck3376]

Thanks for the video. That was excellent, but I also wish you would have talked about the snout on the front of the converter in relationship to insertion into the crank. A very much over looked part of this equation.! Example: How much does the snout have to insert into the crank hub, Does the converter spin freely in the crank hub, and to make sure the converter snout does not bottom out in the crank hub when bolting converter to flex plate. Thank you.

[@Bill-xc8le]

So you gave us the 1/8"-3/16" range, but how do you measure how far the converter pops out when you go to bolt it to the flexplate? Do you measure the distance between the converter and the flexplate while the convertor is still pushed back in the pump first?

[@johnlaws9853]

Measure the distance with the converter pushed all the way back. Then subtract 1/8 or 3/16 from the total. What's left is what thickness the washer needs to be.

[@robertsamspon4232]

@@johnlaws9853 is there any worry about the snout on the converter not being into the back of the crank if the spacer is to big?

[@TEAMPHY6]

Please make another video on how to space things when incorporating a thin 0.090 or 1/4" mid plate.

[@flinch622]

As I understand it... measure the gap between converter pads and flexplate after engine is bolted up, and converter is still seated all the way into transmission. I find a hole gauge is handy: match the gap, then measure that with calipers. Then, subtract 0.140" from that measurement to figure shim thickness [if necessary], with a goal of roughly 0.035" +/- accuracy. So if you find gap is somewhat under [say... near 0.120"], bolt it straight up and have a nice day. Stay the hell away from sloppy grade 5 washers from you average hardware store that are often off by an entire bolt size these days - pure junk, fit only for your coffee table..

[@hackjobgarage9289]

What about a Torque converter with an anti-baloon plate? is the spacing still 1\8 - 3\16?

[@thomasjohnson8195]

If I’m watching correctly for example if push the converter all the way into the transmission say I have a 1/2” from the flexplate to the converter shouldn’t I subtract 1/8 from 1/2 that should be how much spacer I need or do I get a 1/8 spacer and bolt everything together

[@kabarrion]

Pull out game gotta be strong

[@MJ-MJ-19]

What about the bolts that hold it all together, get bolts that go all the way through or use bolts as the converter company supply's?

[@p.s8950]

I have the opposite problem. When bolted up the flex plate and T/C are too tight to turn. Theyre are the same component that where taken out and yes the T/C is completely seated. ?

[@satanz3111]

What happens if you pull the converter off of the pump the 1/8” - 3/16” and now your converter is actually touching the flex plate on both the mounting pads and the hub? Meaning all you had to work with was .125” in the fist place. Bolt it straight to the flex plate, even if the hub is fully seated into the crank? I was told that is bad too.

[@roberttrevino4184]

Does that apply to stock converter or just aftermarket?

[@CARRIERGUY]

Thanks for the info!

[@abdulhassan1107]

Thanks for this excellent video. How do you relate that number to the actual TC end play which is measured by the rotunda tool or whatever? Do you still stick to the 1/8-3/16" thumb rule or would you use a different formula of subtraction?

[@trevorfraser6235]

What about where the torque converter goes into the crank would you not need a spacer in there the same thickness of the flex plate to torque converter If you did not space, it would not push the torque converter into the crank

[@mikecox4119]

So I rebuilt my trans and now I have too tight of spacing I couldn't turn crank to put torque bolts in it was so tight had to unbolt bellhousing bolts to get it to spin

[@BillyP-49Chevy]

What about when you're adding a mid plate?

[@johnaiken8511]

I got a problem with 5.4 and 4r100. When I use everything new oem, I am breaking pump. What is correct shim for OEM parts there is no reference

[@mikecondoluci53]

GREAT CHANNEL JUST SUBSCRIBED, THANK YOU

[@josetineo6712]

You forgot to mention for what of trannys end engiens can you be more especific? I have a 350 engine with a th350 and the flex plate has dimps on it to keep them togheter.

[@carlosbanegas7577]

thank you very much

[@tybomyjo]

Great info, thank you!

[@couchfighter]

DUDE, I am pon here looking at go kart stuff, BUT because of what I'm normally looking at ..this is what came up,, I was like wait??? , wth?? MRW has go kart shit to? LOL OH well back button.

[@wes293]

I have a C4 I rebuilt which now has no reverse and moves forward in neutral. Would the TC being too far out cause this? The gap was difficult to get a true measurement but MIGHT have been 1/4 (also could fall within tolerance of 3/16). I tried everything else (checked linkage correlation, valve body, air check and it passed. No idea what the heck is causing no reverse but it's driving me straight up bonkers and I'm about to throw in the towel.

[@johnnyg9507]

Great Info,,Needed This Info!! Thanks!!!

[@vgslife9640]

great video

[@jakechimiak9626]

Hey i made sure the converter is seated all the way and I tried to put a 3/16 drill bit in but I couldn’t it was alittle tight but the converter is not touching the flywheel should I shim it or no

[@drewchilton487]

5.3/4L60e 3200 converter. Put the converter in trans, got 3 clunks and everything seems smooth, bolted trans to block and my spacing between converter tabs and flex plate is .125 , so just add shims between converter and flex plate that don’t move the converter in or out and I should be good correct???

[@erickuribe9860]

Did you ever figure this out I have your same setup?

[@erickuribe9860]

I'm using a circle d 3200 converter.

[@daniellara481]

@@erickuribe9860 did you figure it out ?

[@juanio__974]

is it better to be right at 3/16 clearance or is it even better to be somewhere between 1/8 - 3/16 ??? HELP

[@privatename8888]

I set my 10" stall at 5/32" that's in-between 1/8 and 3/16 inch would you say that's ok? Turbo 350 transmission

[@mtndewm]

Will too much spacing cause a leak? I have excessive spacing and my transmission pours out fluid from the front seal area while running

[@itslinotv3335]

Can the washer be 1/8-3/16 thick Nd bolt up directly with no issues

[@29auto30]

Thanks

[@oaug]

Will bad spacing cause the converter not to lock up?

[@Victorsvolkswagens]

Learned it the hard way to space it 😂 had a 1/4 in gap so I put a 1/4 in of washers in it made it 1/2 mile then it had 0 gears

[@killitcrew]

Thanks!!

[@josegutierrez2872]

Estoy seguro que este tutorial me fuese más útil si tuviera traducción ya que es lo que necesito saber... Gracias

[@stephencook7337]

Does this apply to most vehicles or what?

[@CharmleysChopShop]

If you're adding shims wouldn't you have to do something about the torque converter bolts, so that they don't hit the block? I'm asking because I had to shim my 5.3/4l60e and using the factory bolts.

[@MotionRaceworksOfficial]

You add the shims between the flex plate and converter, that won’t effect the bolt relation to the block

[@CharmleysChopShop]

@@MotionRaceworksOfficial I realize that now haha thanks.

[@onevidsnationtv1309]

How critical is it for the stud to go in far enough in the rear main seal

[@jomanout5866]

Just far enough for the torque converter stud to rest in the hole, it's basically a safety precaution if anything flexes in a weird way, that stud will prevent too much movement of the torque converter. Now if you got the stud completely out of the hole, it might be worth adjusting

[@josevaldez7281]

What if I’m over by .008

[@thundertvht3572]

Thx for your video. Normally when there is gap between torque converter and flex plate what should i do? can i put washers to adjust?

[@alanmott-smith9358]

Why does it need shimming? It should just fit and bolt in.

[@shmuck66]

if the exact same parts that came from the factory are going back in, yes it should just fit. But if you change the engine, transmission, torque converter, flex plate/flywheel, or anything that can affect the spacing, than this needs to be done. At minimum you need to check it so you do not end up breaking parts.

[@dandorris8531]

Don’t talk about it show us how you did it.

[@lopezart2853]

Mf could this be why my transmission isn’t shifting out if first?

[@mufdvr9730]

You should really spend some time answering your fan clubs questions, otherwise whats the point of having an instructional channel. We need answers

[@Gold_Medal_31]

The question I was looking for an answer to was answered by this video. 👍👍

[@roberttrevino4184]

Does that apply to stock converter or just aftermarket?

[@roberttrevino4184]

Both sometime it's the belhousing factory machining not always perfect