Torque Converter Easier to pull engine or transmission

[partsloco]

Hey guys,

I'm in the process is building my new AOD because my C4 had a bad converter. I miss driving my bronco so I wanted to replace the C4 torque converter while I finish my AOD. What do you think is easier, pulling the engine or transmission to replace the torque converter. I have a transmission jack and cherry picker so I can go either way. I replaced the engine a few times so I'm familiar with that. When I originally converted to a C4 I installed from underneath. I was wondering what you guys think is easier/faster.

Thanks,

Justin

 

[badmuttstang]

Transmission in my opinion less things to disconnect in less you need to do something like change the oil pan gasket and rear main seal I'd leave the motor in there.

 

[bronconut73]

Same answer.

Get the Harbor Freight tranny jack and a ratchet strap.

The Jack is about $69 bucks. If is worth twice that. It is super tall which is good.
It is a screw Jack. When you hook your impact to the screw drive nut you can raise or lower it in seconds.

By the way I always leave the tranny and transfer case mounted together. I take the whole chunk down including the mount. Ratchet strap to the jack helps a lot here.

 

[partsloco]

I actually have the harbor freight tranny jack. I used it to install the C4.

 

[partsloco]

I just remember the heavy cast iron dana 20 transfer case throwing the whole thing off balance. Its been a few years since I put the C4 in. I think the problem I had before was that my bronco is taller then the jack so I have to add some blocks. My transmission jack as a built in strap.

 

[partsloco]

This is the one I have

http://www.harborfreight.com/450-lb-low-lift-transmission-jack-61232.html

 

[partsloco]

By the way, this is my video of my possible converter noise. Not sure if its the C4 pump, converter or flex plate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L5MMA7tL-Y

 

[bronconut73]

This is the one I have

http://www.harborfreight.com/450-lb-low-lift-transmission-jack-61232.html

That's it.

Yes it has a strap.
An additional ratchet strap helps you keep it stable on the Jack.

I put my axles on Jack stands which was much lower than on the tires. That gave me the lowered height I needed to make the Jack work perfect.

 

[partsloco]

Any of you guys have any clue what the noise is in the video? Truck seems to shift fine. When truck is cold you hardly here anything. It only gets loud like that when its warn. I also notice the noise more when I come to a stop. Its a TCI converter a few hundred RPM'S higher then stock. Converter has about 10,000 miles on it.

 

[Georgelas]

Sounds like it is rubbing against the sheet-metal. Also the converter seems to be moving back and forth. What is the fluid level?

 

[Viperwolf1]

Any of you guys have any clue what the noise is in the video? Truck seems to shift fine. When truck is cold you hardly here anything. It only gets loud like that when its warn. I also notice the noise more when I come to a stop. Its a TCI converter a few hundred RPM'S higher then stock. Converter has about 10,000 miles on it.

Noise could be a few things. I've seen bellhousing bolts back out and start rubbing on the converter. Could also be a bad pump bushing or gears. I recommend taking the pump out and looking it over good.

 

[partsloco]

Fluid level is fine. Car shifts fine.

 

[ransil]

This is the one I have

http://www.harborfreight.com/450-lb-low-lift-transmission-jack-61232.html

I have this one also, its a piece of crap, but I have R&R'd a half dozen tranny's with it, I just bitch every time I do it. strap sucks, screw almost works.

 

[pcf_mark]

That is a pretty wacky sound but it sounds like it is external not internal. I think (not an expert) that if it was internal like the converter or pump would it be more muffled? It sounds more like the converter, flexplate or starter are making contact with something - like the mid plate. When you take it apart I would look for scratched paint on the mid plate.

 

[74fiberglass]

My c4 bell housing bolts came loose and all kinda noise also . I made sure to loc tite this time around

 

[Lmfp]

just so you know the tcase comes off pretty easy to remove the transmission. im a scrawny dud and i removed the dana 20 without a jack. thatll take care of your balance issue with the transmission.

 

[lonesouth]

PSA: when you are raising/lowering that trans jack, keep you fingers out from underneath it.

 

[Teal68]

Geez guys, I had pretty much decided to put the motor to do my clutch....now you all have me thinking otherwise. From below the list seems pretty long. Driveshafts, exhaust , cross member, shifter, clutch linkage, and then finally the t case/tyranny/bellhousing.

But not a one has said pull the motor unless there are other issues. Time to rethink.

 

[lonesouth]

The driveshaft is easy to pull. If you pulled the motor, you would still have to pull the exhaust and bellhousing bolts. I personally think those two are the hardest parts when removing/replacing the transmission. Then, to pull the engine, you still have the radiator hoses, throttle linkage, wiring, fuel line, cooling lines, radiator, to get the motor out. And on top of that, if the trans ends up needing work you still get to pull trans anyway.

 

[BwoncoHowie]

The last time I heard a sound similar to that, it was a bent block plate and the back of the flexplate was rubbing against it... Might be something to check while you have the trans down. BTW while working at transmission shops for approx. 18 yrs. we NEVER pulled engines. Unless of course it was air cooled VW or 911 Porsche