Hi guys,
I have a problem my old engine is done. I got a used one, I installed my old torque converter with the old flex plate and when I bolted the transmission, I have no clearance. The motor will not turn over, because the torque converter bolts will hit the metal gasket. I tried using 2 gaskets to create mo spacing between the block and the trans but it will still Hit. I'm assuming the problem is in the new engine but its a 5.3 from an 05 f150. The only difference that I noticed on the old engine compared to the used one is that the part were the flex plate attaches to on the old engine, it's just a little bigger other than that I didn't see anything else.
Forgot to mention my truck is a f150 04 with a 5.3 2wd.
Should I buy a different converter, should I use washer? I don't know what to do, any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

Do you have torque converter seated all the way in on second spline . Just replaced my transmission not long ago and a few folks on here helped me out. Mine slid forward while putting tranny in an I couldn't even get it to turn to put last 2 torqued converter nuts on .

 

Thanks for the reply. What I did is while I had the engine out, I installed the converter to the engine. Then took the engine inside the engine bay and mounted it to the transmission. That's when the issue came out. I thought I installed something backwards. So I got the engine out, took the converter off and flex plate. I realized there is only one way the flex plate can be installed. So I reinstalled the flex plate, put the converter back but still have the same issue. Do you think that the torque converter is not seated properly?

 

You might want to do some other checking. From what I have heard you can't let the converter hang from the flex plate and the put transmission on. From what I have read you can do damage .

If your a lucky one and no damage has occurred to your flex plate. You need to unbolt and slide transmission back and seat torque converter. Push converter in,once it feels like its all the way on spin converter and keep pushing back and you should feel it go back in farther and hear it click when it does . I don't believe you can get it all the way seated doing it the way you did . Put a level or a straight edge across your bell housing and your converter studs should be about a half inch below the straight edge to help you know if its seated all the way.

 

Yeah you should pop the vertor into the tranny first.

 

thanks guys. i have to work the weekend, so ill wait until monday to do it the way u
guys say. again thanks a lot and ill keep u guys posted

 

You have a 5.4 not a 5.3.

 

NEver ever every install the converter on the motor! It status on the Trans. Its not a clutch. You probably now will need a converter and an input shaft. Tanner the motor out and see what you broke...

 

Yup...it needs to go on the tranny first.