I've ordered a complete pump that has the bearing, the old one had a thrust wwasher.

cleanup and endplay

The Carl Munroe book, building a Race Powerglide, is an excellent tool. You can find it online and at TRS Racing

My bad, TSR

https://tsr-racing.com/

Also, be sure to double-check clearances since you are changing from a thrust washer to a bearing.

Shoot for .010-.015 end play with a bearing. Hopefully the pump comes with a shim kit. Make sure the pump gasket is installed when checking

Thank you.
I did talk to the pump seller and got those instructions.

So, got the pump, installed it without o-ring as per instructions to check clearances, all good.
Put o-ring on, went to install everything, it wouldn't slide in. Looked everything over real good, CRAP, I broke the rings somehow! This trans still had the older metal rings. Ordered the newer teflon rings. Another delay.

quote:

Originally posted by truckman:
So, got the pump, installed it without o-ring as per instructions to check clearances, all good.
Put o-ring on, went to install everything, it wouldn't slide in. Looked everything over real good, CRAP, I broke the rings somehow! This trans still had the older metal rings. Ordered the newer teflon rings. Another delay.

When installing the front pump, try standing the transmission upright so that the high gear drum does not sag downwards.
Best of luck.

look inside the drum for wear from the metallic rings. Always use teflon rings. Is the transmission upright? Did you loosen the band?

This trans was built many years ago by a local trans building legend, who had a stroke last year. I can't ask him about it. The guy I got it from had it as his spare and said it was never used.
It will have teflon rings in it now. No I did not loosen the band.

You could loosen it, might give you a little wiggle room to slip the pump in. I'd want to adjust it while you have it infront of you. I'd put a little fluid in the pump before you install it just to prevent a dry start. I use long bolts with the heads cut off as a guide when dropping the pump in. I lube the O-ring and the case where the O-ring fits to help it slide in. I also lube the teflon seals. Be sure the teflon seals are in the groove good if they catch they will tear or deform.

Thank you.

OK, so here's where I am now.
I can't get the converter to seat into the pump tabs with the input shaft in place. Shaft out, no problem. It feels like the input shaft is bottoming out in the converter and not letting it seat into the pump.
Face of trans to converter bolt tabs with shaft out 1-1/8", with shaft in 3/4".
The input shaft protrudes out of the stator about 1-5/8" which is in the 1-1/2" to 2" range spec according to google.
From the pump tab to the end of the input shaft is about 5-1/2", from the inside of the converter to the pump notch is about 5-5/8".
The drive hub shaft/collar on the converter is about 2-3/8".
Could I have the wrong converter? There are no markings on it, it came with the trans.
Or am I missing something else?

it sounds like the shaft is not in all of the way,im not sure on the measure you gave.the washer in the rear can do that.pull the shaft and look in the tranny to the washer

Thank you. I remembered that I have a borescope, I'll try to see down there with that. Hopefully it's that simple.

Input shaft is either hanging on the teflon rings, the wedding band or the washer in the planetary has moved off center and won't allow the pilot of the input to go in. Borescope might help you see it and you might be able to move the washer with a long screwdriver. Usually much easier with the transmission standing up. Be sure to check the teflon rings on the input to see if they are distorted in any way.

Remove input shaft and install it in the converter to make sure it's the correct shaft for the converter.

Thank you all.
Input shaft does fit into converter.
I'll try the borescope and hope that all I need to do is re-align things with a long rod.
Teflon rings are good, I've had them in and out many times and still good. I lubed them up good and will be certain they are lubed each time they are installed.
Wish me luck!