Recently Pulled Trans And Had It Rebuilt. Trans Shop Said Conveter Had Been Hot And Needed Replaced. When I Removed The Trans I Noticed There Were (2) Flat Washers Between The Conveter And The Flex Plate At Each Bolt Location. The Shop Said If Everything Was Correct The Washers Would Not Be Necessary When Reinstalling The Trans And New Conveter. While Installing Trans/conveter The Mounting Flange On The Conveter Hits The Counter Balance Weight On The Flex Plate. The Trans Shop Said The Counter Weight Should Go Toward The Engine Block And This Would Correct The Problem But The Flex Plate Mounting Holes Don't Index Properly This Way. So Whats Up And Any Suggestions? Thanks Jay
Some aftermarket converters do not fit Buick flexplates right. The Buick coverters should have raised mounting blocks for clearance. The washers are for making up the difference if there is too much space between the converter and flexplate when the converter is pushed all the way in the trans. The JW Winters website and T/A catalog have the correct spacing. I think it should be no more than 1/8". There should be the same # of washers under all three bolt areas.
Dave Thanks For The Reply! If I Put The Two Washers Between The Flex Plate And Conveter At Each Bolt Location Then Everything Seems To Fit Ok But It Just Doesn't Seem Right That I Have TO Use The Washers To Make It Work. The Thickness Of The Two Washers Is .120 And Thats Almost Exactly The Thickness Of The Counter Weight On The Flex Plate. Any More Thoughts Please Let Me Know. Thanks Again. Jay
My 10" Converter needed 1/8" washers to stay properly seated in the front of the trans. My trans guy had assembled it this way and instructed me not to disregard them when I pulled it back apart. I run a flat, solid TA SFI Flexplate and a BOP TH400... heres some pictures:
BOP Converter Your orginal question asked which way the weight on the flex plate should face? It should face towards the converter. If you haven't used the converter the transmission shop sold you ask them if they can get a BOP (Buick/Olds/Pontiac) converter and exchange it for the one they sold you, this will fix you problem. If not, you could remove the weight and weld it in the same place on the opposite side of the flex plate but this is not easy. If unable to do any of the above, your stuck with the washer method!
Thanks Guys For The Info/replies! I Was Able To Exchange The Torque Convt For A Bop Unit And Your Right It Has The Mounting Blocks And Clearance For The Counter Balance Weight Is No Problem. Thanks Again For The Help. Jay
It is amazing how many vendors and manufacturers sales people do not know there is a difference. This has cost many of us hours of untold frustration. ou:
The proper installation of a converter is to insert it completely into the transmission and the shim it with flat washers so you have a clearance between .080 and .125 inches. Then bolt it up to the flex plate. From TA catalog:
