Hi all; it's been a long time since I posted but I'm finally getting time to wrench on my project truck again. History - my son blew a head gasket but continued driving it and ended up toasting the transmission, too. So I'm swapping in a good used transmission and doing the top end on the engine... again...

1994 4Runner V6 Auto 4WD ... if you haven't guessed...

Pulled the engine and trans as a unit, unbolted the old trans, bolted up the new one, didn't take the torque converter off the flywheel (it took some wiggling and jiggling but the trans and engine slid right together - bellhousing within a paper sheet thickness to the block). Stabbed it back in the truck and the engine won't rotate, locked up tight. Obviously it seems as though the torque convertor is not properly aligned so I'm probably pulling the engine and trans completely back out again. My question is this - any other ideas on what could be wrong, what to look for, or how I could fix this without pulling the engine and trans back out?

I'm working without a vehicle lift and by myself. I have jacks, jackstands, engine lift, a few ratchet straps, and a sharp mind, but no transmission jack (I doubt that massive lump of a transmission would fit on a trans jack anyway!)

Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions, photos, or even words of encouragement would help! At this point I'm ready to scrap it and buy something else.

Thanks!
Rusty

 

I mean no disrespect, but you got this thread in the wrong forum. You'll get a lot more answers to your query in the right forum. I don't know exactly HOW to move the thread to the right forum, but I'm sure one of the mods will be glad to help you if you decide to move it.
Really helpful guy, aren't I?

I know less than nothing about removing and replacing the transmission on that year truck. ESPECIALLY an auto. I am a manual tranny kind of guy. You would think after this long, and at least a couple of clutches in both my 87's, I would be more help, but I always paid someone to replace the clutch in my trucks. Sorry I'm not more help on this...

I wish you the best of luck...
Pat☺

 

Don't do that!
You might be able to loosen all your bell housing bolts and disconnect the torque converter from the flex plate and wiggle until you get that last notch into the trans assuming that is what's stopping you.
keep your fingers crossed, maybe you didn't damage anything yet.
Always install the torque converter on the transmission before mating up to the engine and make sure that there is an air gap between the flex plate and torque converter before you cinch down the bell housing bolts.
You should have to slightly pull the torque converter toward the flex plate (1/4 inch or so) to bolt them together AFTER the engine/trans are mated.

 

Thank you, both of you! Obviously it was more of an exasperation post than anything, the frustrating part is I have to get moved by the end of the month and I am currently working 3 hours away so I basically only have Saturdays to work on it. I am going to try akwheeler's advice this weekend.

And yes, it's in the wrong forum, slip of the mouse and frustrated typing without my glasses on. I've regrouped and will try again.

Rusty