[prostreet64]

Okay, the good news is that my new 463 stroker is now between the frame rails of the TransAm. The 403 Olds served well but it was time to move on. However, when I went to bolt the converter to the flex plate I discovered that the converter body was hitting the flex plate bolt heads before the pads touched the flex plate.
The gap is .032. Can I shim this or am I looking at moving the tranny to access the flex plate bolts and changing them out for ones with a thinner head? I did notice after the fact that the old bolts for the 403 have thinner heads than the new ones I got from Ames. Wishing now I had paid more attention.

[67Fbird]

depends on where your converter is located...<----> If i am understanding your statement the converter is hitting your fleplate crankshaft bolts and you are .030 from the converter mounting pads contacting the flex plate!

Is the flywheel on correctly (some have a raised areas where the converter pads bolt on)?
If you are only lacking .032 yes you can put a 1/8" thick washer in between the flex and converter...BUT you must make sure the converter NOSE in located IN THE CRANKSHAFT!!!.(..don't want it getting all weird.)

AND make sure your converter has more than teh 1/8" that it can go INTO the tranny...(don't want it to bottom out in the pump) This should NOT be an issue...but check it anyway

[prostreet64]

Thanks for the response. Yea, even with shims I will have more than 1/8" clearance between the converter and the pump. Still not decided what I want to do and may disconnect the tranny and move it back enough to remove and replace the flex plate bolts.

[steve25]

It’s more work, but that would be the best option since it would allow the nose of the converter to seat deeper into the end of the Crank.

[Sirrotica]

Originally Posted by prostreet64

Thanks for the response. Yea, even with shims I will have more than 1/8" clearance between the converter and the pump. Still not decided what I want to do and may disconnect the tranny and move it back enough to remove and replace the flex plate bolts.

If the flywheel to crankshaft bolt heads are too thick you probably need to change to a thinner head. As you said, slide the transmission back and they can be changed fairly easily. A extra long box wrench will be your friend in this scenario.

FWIW, A little trick we line mechanics do when just changing the flex plate, is use either long bolts with the heads removed, or all thread to keep the alignment and enable you to just slide it back, and then forward again. Just 2 bolts in the lowest holes keeps every thing from getting away from you, and aligns everything when going back together. on a lift, you can swap a flexplate in 45 minutes or so. A little longer lying on your back. Saves the time of R&R ing the transmission. Saves taking off cooling lines, speedometer cable, and crossmember most times. No need for a tranny jack either if you follow the tips outlined.

I also use a couple short pieces of 2X4 shims between the block and transmission bell to give you working room.

I used to use a wrecking bar between the engine and flexplate to slide it rearward, same bar to slide it forward again. Usually there is enough room on the front tranny yoke that you can leave the driveshaft in, but if not, you'll have to remove it.

Good luck, I hope this helps you get it done.

[johnta1]

Check the back of the flexplate/crank and see if the bolts are too long through the crank flange.

Lots of times one buys the 'flexplate' bolts and get flywheel bolts which have taller heads and longer thread length.
This extra length could hit the block on rotation.
Have you rotated the crank since mounting flexplate?

Also do as Sirrotica said on getting the thinner head for bolts.

[prostreet64]

Sirrotica, thanks for the tips; if I go that route it would save time and effort.

johnta1, I did get the correct bolts and I have rotated the engine several times so no issue there. As I mentioned in my first post, I should have used the old bolts which have a much thinner head. Just didn't think about it making a difference at the time. If I had a stock converter this wouldn't be an issue as the larger diameter would have put the thickest part of the converter beyond the flex plate bolt heads, at least I think that would be the case.

[cgeise]

yup bolt head makes a diff and in the racing world we are putting shim between convertor and flex plate all the time