Torque Converter install help needed!!!

[WilsonChuck]

HELP!!! I have a '97 Impreza (2.2) and I'm swapping out the motor. I didn't know enough about this car to know to unbolt the torque converter from the flex plate before removing the old engine, so the TC came off the input shaft and out with the motor. Now, I've spent at least 10 hours (and read every thread on every site imaginable) on trying to get the TC re-installed properly. Having installed several torque converters in everything from cars to heavy equipment, I'm not unfamiliar with installing a torque converter. Could a Subaru mech or transmission specialist with experience installing the TC on this transmission PLEASE share with me whatever the secret is? I'm getting desperate.... Thanks, and I hope I posted in the right place. I'm new here!

[Fairtax4me]

Believe this would be better off in the New Gen section where the most action is for repairs and maintenance.

 

If you scroll to the bottom of the page here, there will be some links under the heading "Similar Threads".

Lots of info about properly installing torque converters on this board. Seems to be a common mistake. You might do yourself a favor and replace the input seal on the transmission before you put the TC back on, just in case it got cut/torn during removal. Otherwise, you'll get to do it all over again.

[Caboobaroo]

Should slide on like any other torque converter. If I was doing it, I'd get to a point where I think its splined back up on the tranny, then grab a straight edge and run it across the front of the tranny to see if the converter is reinstalled properly. If its tucked inside the bellhousing, you're ok but if its not, then time to try it again.

[Fairtax4me]

WTF!?!?! I swear I was in a different thread when I hit reply...

[Mugs]

There is a small shaft that has to pulled out a bit and re-aligned, and you better hope it didn't drop the pin down into the tranny, other wise it has to be pull and disassembled to be put back in place. This is why the torque convert wont go in...its hitting the edge of the small shaft. Get a coat hanger or welding rod make a hook on the end of it and go fishing in the tranny shaft. You should pull a small but long splined shaft out from where the torque converter goes. DON'T PULL IT ALL THE WAY OUT !!!!!!!!!!!!! because it will drop the pin thingy down into the tranny. Any way re-align it in to the tranny (should be centered on the shaft) then you should be able to slip the torque converter in. This is what the inside slides onto. This is why you have to turn and turn and turn the torque converter some times to get it in all the way. But you will feel it slip in. You should be good to go after that.

[Legacy777]

Moved to the new gen forum.

[johnceggleston]

there is a great thread, well it used to be great when the pics were available, any way the write up is good and if you have done other cars you will be ok.

 

search "torqueconverter" and read the oldest thread you see. if you can observe the bottom, underside, of the trans / torque converter, if it isn't hidden by the cross member, when the TC is seated there is ALMOST no clearance between the two. if there is any gap at all it is not seated. i wish i could be more precise. the bolt ears on the TC have more than half inside of the trans bell housing, probably closer to 3/4 inside and 1/4 outside.

 

the other clue is , if the engine does not mate completely with the trans bell housing you did not fully seat the TC. do not use the trans bolts to pull the engine and trans together, that is a trans killer.