Why should I shim my verter?

[KySilverado]

Guys,
Where does the common shim to 1/8" flexplate to TC lug dimension come from? I do not understand.

Here is the the clearance I have with my PI verter in the stock transmission I just took out. Although I did not measure it the stocker was about the same. It is 5/16" as measured by the smallest drill bit end I could get in there.

Here are photos of the measurements of PI verter seated into the new FLT tranny I am installing. TC lug to bellhousing at about 1 1/16". I've read it should be 7/8".

Stock TC also at abot 1 1/16" seated in the new tranny.

I also measured the wear mark for the the pump engagement on the PI and stock tranny. Both at about 7mm. You can see it visible in this shot.

I also measured most dimensions of stock TC to PI. They are identical best I can tell. Sorry PI, I cursed you guys a few times.


I have my TC bolts and spacers ready to shim this puppy. I just don't know why other than a lot of people telling me to. The General seems okay with a 5/16" clearance. I'm confused.

[RedHeartbeat]

I would not shim it, you're asking for trouble. I'd definitely talk to PI before shimming the convertor.

[KySilverado]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RedHeartbeat &#064; Feb 8 2006, 07&#58;48 PM) [snapback]43950[/snapback]</div>

I would not shim it, you&#39;re asking for trouble. I&#39;d definitely talk to PI before shimming the convertor.
[/b]

I have talked to VIG, somewhat. I sent the converter back to have a lookover. Sent them pics with the clearance of 5/16" and the pump engagement marks. It was not shimmed in the previous install. Run about 8 months. Brand new from them. They left a message on the phone "whatever you do do not shim the converter, I can tell you that the verter has been into the transmission to far. The noise you are hearing is probably the rotor in the pump....." They explicitly state in their install instructions if clearance is greater than 1/8" converter should be shimmed. I&#39;m like WTF? FLT has said to shim it also. I do not understand. I think there is some mis-information when it comes to this subject.

I had developed a noise in the bellhousing area. It wasn&#39;t the flexplate. It did not make it when I started the truck with the TC unbolted. I sent the verter back to VIG. They say it is fine. That leads to the tranny making the noise. Possibly the pump. Question is I guess is it the pump and was it related to the TC clearance?

[RedHeartbeat]

That looks identical to the one I installed. Just bolt it up and call it good. Is the depth of the slot on the pump end of the convertor a little deeper than the stock one?

[docone882000]

I would have the converter company send you a new one on them. Is that the same converter you had the noise with in your truck? If it is and there is any probs with the old tranny because of that you can get part of your money towards your new tranny or they might even pay for the whole thing if there was serious probs with your old tranny because of the converter.

[KySilverado]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RedHeartbeat &#064; Feb 8 2006, 08&#58;39 PM) [snapback]43966[/snapback]</div>

That looks identical to the one I installed. Just bolt it up and call it good. Is the depth of the slot on the pump end of the convertor a little deeper than the stock one?
[/b]

Yes the slot for pump engagement is a little deeper on the VIG. I might wait on FLT to tear down the exchange tranny to look at the pump before I decide what to do. If seating it a little, 3/16", deeper helps with pump engagement and doesn&#39;t cause any other issues I&#39;m open to shimming it.

[RedHeartbeat]

Okay, the pump is just sliding in further because the notch is deeper. The notch is the driver for your trans pump. It will not affect how it works. All will be good, not an issue since it&#39;s just sliding further into the transmission only during installation. Did you have the convertor flushed or rebuilt? This is going into a refreshed transmission, correct?

[NITROUS]

There should be a minimum of 1/16 in. ( 1/8 in. is preferred and 1/16 in. is the minimum) clearance between the flexplate and converter to allow torque converter expansion. 3/16" is the max I&#39;d recommend but I&#39;ve seen them run with more clearance.

[vettetruck89]

hey RED when you get a chance I have a few questions about your conversion

[RedHeartbeat]

Ask away.