Are you still waiting for the right converter? Iv'e been following this thread right from the beginning and so impressed with how young you are and the passion of attack is great I'm dying to see the results
Thank you! I'm waiting for collegiate finals to run their course and then I'll be back home to continue my progress. I have plans with a board member to swap parts for a 12" converter on/near the 19th when I'll be home again. If there is any interest in a "break in" or "fire up" party of sorts for the local guys, maybe a time could be planned.
Just to know I was heart broken when you reached the final step and it was the wrong one I can't imagine how you felt! Good luck with the finals buddie
Alright, finals are done, 3.64 gpa. Now on to the car. Met Steve today (pilgrim) and found an awesome and knowledgeable new friend. Traded the 455 oil pan for a switch pitch 12" converter. There is now officially a difference between the two 12" converters, as one is structurally different from the other. Confirmed in person with Ken (Everyday Performance) that the first 12" converter doesn't drop all the way in, as my 13" did. Hope the heads, manifolds, and rockers do you well! Whenever I have the time, I will put the engine back into the car and slap it all together. I'm just tired gents, I've worked hard
Now I know why I should never be optimistic about much of anything, except the inevitability of taxes and death. The other 12" converter from yesterday doesn't fit either I also can't get oil to flow up to the rocker shaft on the passenger side yet, despite using the drill for minutes at a time now. Is the oil filter supposed to fill before the oil travels up to the rest of the engine?
Are you on an oil pressure gage? Didnt use a later 455 gasket set did you? You should roll the engine over by hand while priming it to ensure the crank or cam isnt laying against an oil passage. Did you install new cam bearings? ws
I unscrewed the sender, which is above the pump, and I have oil pouring out of there, so I'm likely getting pressure to at least that point in the block.
If your getting oil to one side of the top end it will get to the other. Like Bill said rotate the engine and the oil will come through. Get a cheap mechanical gauge to see what its doing
It could very well be just a matter of jiggling it the right way. I did see the original 13" drop all the way on. And you clearly were having difficulty getting the 12" on. I'm no switch pitch expert but I do know even on a th350 the last clunk can be a b*tch. Keep tryin.
This might actually be right. It dropped in to the same depth as the stock converter. I guess there's one way to test this
John... after 10 pages of trials and tribulations, I cant remember if the trans is now in or out of the car. If its out, the easiest way to install the converter is going to be to stand the trans on the tail shaft and install the converter in the vertical position to be sure of full engagement. Theres actually a fixture for doing this on the bench. That last 1/4" can be tough... ws
Pour some ATF on the splines, converter and shaft. Before you do that, check the input shaft splines for burrs and damage. A fixed pitch converter doesn't go onto a switch pitch shaft. You forced the converter on when you bolted the trans and engine together. You might have done some damage.
Alright well...I'm potentially confused, but maybe in a good way. Larry, the converter dropped in the 3rd time, with a badass clunk. I think I've just been a fool the whole time, but we will see. I infact did measure, a little crudely. (A straight edge, ended up with 1.5 widths of a wrench for both). Take 2, and now the bolts are easy going in and I can spin the engine. If this works out correctly, I'll need to buy a hat to eat, as well as apologize to a few gents here.
Don't beat Yourself up over this little hitch. Been there done that. You did not start it up so all should be fine. Don't ask how I know!! Now button it up and do a Santa! (make a list and check it twice) after that FIRE THAT BAD BOY UP and make a vid for us. I did it with My last nail head. This ones for You Briz.