Refitting Gearbox - problem

[Deleted]

I know there has been a 'few' threads on gearbox refitting - but I can't see my problem quoted.

Here goes:

1. Have had engine rebuilt.
2. Fitted gearbox
3. Placed in car
4. Started up and after a few moments running a 'metallic'
sound came from bell housing - as though something is
catching - sporadically.
5. Gears work and drive is there.
6. Happens after running a few minutes.

Any thoughts please gentlemen?

Your advice would be really appreciated.

Denis Green

[harvey]

Diagnosing noises without hearing them is really something that you're on a hiding to nothing with, so on that basis I would say converter bolts loose, or if it has a cooling shroud on the converter that has become damaged or dislodged, or if converter/bellhousing have been changed, it could be an early converter in a late bellhousing.Or a washer/bolt/nut that has found its way in there.
A better description of the noise (rattle/knock constant intermittant engine speed etc.) may help.

[p5tgc]

Greetings!

I had similar knocking noises from my car after refitting, it was resolved by re tightening the bolts holding the torque converter to the flex plate. Drop the small cover plate on the bottom of the bell housing, crank the TC around until you can get a ring spanner onto the bolts, then pull 'em up tight.Recrank and repeat until you have worked around the set.

[harvey]

That's what I meant by converter bolts, and if it is those it needs to be done quickly as if left it elongates the holes in the flexplate. And they do get left loose on a regular basis.

[Phil Nottingham]

I was onece supplied with converter with cooling shroud fitted - thsi does not fit the later type of bellhousing with ot without cooling vent cut-outs.

What year is yours - has it got the cooling shroud?. Did you check the flex plate for cracks before refitting?

[Deleted]

Wow.... that was quick .... thanks!

1. I did check the flexible plate - it seemed OK.
2. I will check the bolts on converter - although they were torqued up.
3. I have been running an engine/gearbox out of a saloon - and before refitting the recon to its original gearbox I took the flexi plate from the saloon and used it - and the torque converter! The recon engine is from a 1971 coupe - I believe the saloon was 1969.
4. I assumed the converters/plates were the same!!

I think that the flexi plate is the same but completely unsure about the converter.

Denis

[harvey]

All the flex plates ARE the same but there are different converters and bellhousings. If you have the early converter with the cooling shroud you need the bellhousing with the cooling vent holes, if you have the later converter you can use either bellhousing, but the early ones can crack from around the vent holes.If I understand what you have done correctly, it sounds as though it's possible you could have fitted an early converter to a late bellhousing. Having said that, these cars are so old now that all sorts of things can have been changed in the past.

[Deleted]

Thanks Harvey.... I'll follow the advice given and if all else fails then I'll try the other converter.... I'll keep you all posted......Denis

[Deleted]

Problem solved... I hadn't located the convertor lugs correctly.... and the flex plate was distorted.... corrected this and now seems OK

Thanks for all your help and advice.

Regards

Denis