I have had my 289 and automatic transmission rebuilt. I am ready to connect them and install them. I have a decent idea of what I am doing but would appreciate a step by step by someone who has done this before mostly focusing on connecting the transmission to the engine. Right now, I have 4 main parts that need to be put together: the engine, the transmission, the torque converter, and the flex plate.

I have a couple of specific questions. Is there a gasket or some kind of sealant that needs to be put between the bell housing and the engine block? When I picked up my engine, I was given a circular spacer with six holes that goes with the flex plate. Does this goes between the flex plate and the crank or on the outside of the flex plate?

Any advice to make this procedure go smoothly would be greatly appreciated.

 

Well, first, install the convertor into the trans. Lube the short "shaft" before it goes in. You will have to spin or wiggle it to get it to line up with the pump. You are trying to engage the slots in the shaft with the pump in the trans. Make sure it goes all the way in as it will cause a bind if it don't....you'll know when it goes in. Put the spacer on the crank, then the flexplate. Torque to specs. Now the 2 can be joined. This is a "dry" connection as no fluid is (or at least shouldn't be) in there, so, no sealer. If the convertor has a drain plug, it will have to go in a specific location ( a hole in plate) or it will hit the flexplate and cause more binding.

Also, make sure all of the plugs have been put in the back end of the motor...you don't want to take it back apart when it leaks.

 

Does the orientation of the flexplate matter? Does it have to be aligned in a certain way with the crank?

 

yes it does matter, and it will only go on one way. you'll notice that the holes really aren't evenly spaced once you go to bolt up the flexplate to the crank.

 

Don't forget to put the engine to belhousing plate on the rear of the engine before you put the flex plate back on (ask me how I know this!)

 

The "spacer" as you call it, with the 6 holes does not go between the flex plate and the crank. Flex plate first then the 6 hole spacer goes on, then torque it. Like jlg2002 said don't forget the engine to bellhousing plate before the flex plate.

 

was just reading this thread as I have installed it as 67t5pony said with the spacer after the flexplate but i think the torque conv screws will rub on the bellhousing plate. any ideas?

 

i had to grind the studs down flush with the ends of the torque converter nuts, never could figure out why that was.