It is important to keep the torque converter located inside the 700R-4 transmission properly seated when installing the unit. The torque converter, a rotating part that couples directly to the engine, has to move freely to align to the bolt holes on the engine drive plate. If it is not seated when the transmission case is bolted securely to the engine, connecting the engine drive plate to the converter can't be accomplished because the converter and plate are wedged together. By properly seating the converter during installation, this unwanted condition is avoided.
Fit the transmission on the transmission jack. The jack has movable holding arms that grip the transmission oil pan. These are fully adjustable to fit a variety of transmissions, because not all transmission pan sizes are the same. Press the holding arms tightly against the pan, then tighten the adjusting bolts against the slotted adjusting arms. The transmission should be steady and firmly held on the jack.
Fit the new converter at the front of the transmission housing. Three things take place when this is performed: The converter splines in place by means of a slender shaft to send mechanical power to the transmission; the converter also locks into the fluid pump with a second set of drive indents to deliver power to pump the transmission fluid when the engine spins; and the converter seals the transmission fluid inside the transmission with a seal that fits around the outside sleeve of the converter coupling.
Rotate the converter after sliding it into place, while at the same time, pressing inward. Look at the input coupling and notice where the seal has created a shiny area, where it rides as the converter spins. When the torque converter is fully seated, this area is hidden. When the converter is bolted to the engine drive plate, the converter is pulled slightly forward to the proper location where the seal normally sits.
Roll the transmission jack under the car and jack the transmission into place. The torque converter often becomes unseated during this process. Be sure and double check that it is seated before bolting the transmission in place. If the transmission is bolted in and the converter is unseated, it is impossible to align the converter to the engine drive plate and bolt them together.
