Date:         Tue, 27 Feb 2007 12:25:18 +1000
Reply-To:     "dyates1@bigpond.net.au" <dyates1@BIGPOND.NET.AU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "dyates1@bigpond.net.au" <dyates1@BIGPOND.NET.AU>
Subject:      Re: auto trans questions
Comments: To: Ryan Haagensen <rphdiego@HOTMAIL.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Hi Ryan,
You haven't done any damage I suspect.  Just look after the parts!

To get the bolts off the torque converter, I found that there was a small space between the flex plate and the bell housing (though this IS in a Subaru conversion so space issues may be a little different.  Also, the flex plate IS just that and will bend a little if you need to.

I ground down a $1 spanner (12mm I THINK, but am not sure) so that it was much thinner and was able to slide it in sufficiently well to get it onto each of the bolts.  It is likely these have been treated with something epoxy to stop them coming undone, so heating the ends of them with a gas flame for a short time might free them up and make their extraction easier.

I hope this helps.

I found a crowd (here in Australia) who would open up the converter, refurbish it and rebuild it.  They included a new bush.  Look for Torque Converter services in your local phone book or the web.  (Cost me $AU129)

All the best.

David



---- Ryan Haagensen <rphdiego@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
> I removed the seized engine from my 83 westy wasserbox today. The engine was seized so I could not remove the 3 torque converter bolts. I slid the engine and torque converter off the transmission and the pump shaft came out with the engine. Have I screwed up the transmission now? Any ideas on how to remove the torque converter without splitting the engine case? What is a good source for a rebuilt torque converter and used flex plate if I cant remove it?
>
> Ryan
>
> 83 Westy
> 84 Westy Wolf
>
> Oceanside,CA