91 Nissan 300zx automatic non turbo transmission installation question - Newbie

[mamaro]

I have been driving around with my car for around a week with it making noises in first, then in second and then reverse went out. Now I can't even drive it in any gear(I mention this to make sure I replaced the correct part). Anyways I purchased a new transmission I got the old one out, when i was removing the bolts connected the torque converter to the flywheel i was able to use a screwdriver to push up on the flywheen and turn it to the very first bolt, pretty easy to turn, after that it became really hard to so i used a hammer and pulled down, man that was a pain. (first question was i doing that part wrong?). Not knowing too much about what i was doing I have to new transmission in place with the tubes and wires connected correctly. but that flywheel is causing a huge headache. I don't currently have any bolts to the torque converter lined up to the flywheel, please help on making this easier.

[Ramius83]

I have been driving around with my car for around a week with it making noises in first, then in second and then reverse went out. Now I can't even drive it in any gear(I mention this to make sure I replaced the correct part). Anyways I purchased a new transmission I got the old one out, when i was removing the bolts connected the torque converter to the flywheel i was able to use a screwdriver to push up on the flywheen and turn it to the very first bolt, pretty easy to turn, after that it became really hard to so i used a hammer and pulled down, man that was a pain. (first question was i doing that part wrong?). Not knowing too much about what i was doing I have to new transmission in place with the tubes and wires connected correctly. but that flywheel is causing a huge headache. I don't currently have any bolts to the torque converter lined up to the flywheel, please help on making this easier.

First of all, you will want to turn the crankshaft by using the crank pulley bolt. Just place an appropriate sized socket on the end of the pulley on a large 1/2" rachet wrench. While turning the crankshaft, you may encounter some resistance. This is normal as some cylinders may be entering the compression stroke where it is compressing all the air to be ignited.

Second, it sounds like you will be re-using your old torque converter. When placing the torque converter back onto the new transmission, it is important to make sure that it is fully seated onto the input shaft of the transmission. You can do this by pressing the torque converter onto the input shaft and rotating the torque converter back and forth. When you do start to engage the torque converter onto the input shaft, each time you will hear a clunk. This is normal. Keep doing this until your hear about 2-3 obvious loud cluncks. To make sure it is fully seated, try rocking the torque converter and see if there is any wobble to it. If there is, it is possible that you still don't have it fully seated. Second, you can check to see if it is fuly seated by placing a straight edge across the transmission bellhousing and measuring from the back of the straight-edge to the front of one of the torque converter holes. If it is more than 14mm or so, then it is fully engaged.

Once you have done this, clock one of the flywheel torque converter bolt holes to the starter hole area. And do the same to the torque converter (line up one of the torque converter bolt holes to the same position. Then bolt the transmission up to the engine. Now, reach in the starter hole and see if you can spin the torque converter. If you can spin it with your hand, you are good. Now, line up one of the torque converter bolt holes with the flywheel bolt holes and start bolting it down. If you CANNOT spin the torque converter at all when you bolt up the transmission, the torque converter is not fully seated and is bound up. You will have to remove the transmission and try re-seating the torque converter.

Good luck........