Auto transmission to a motor that had a 5-speed...? Help. I SEARCHED.

[fayceoff]

I bought a SOHC motor that was formerly attached to a 5-speed transmission, but I have an automatic in my '89 hatchback. Please don't tell me auto sucks - I have my reasons. But for some reason, I can't get them to mate up; there's about a quarter to half-inch gap. Do I need to change the flywheel? Or is there a bushing or something that I need to replace or remove? Please help. I really need to get my car back on the road. Thanks.
Modified by fayceoff at 8:14 PM 11/14/2006

[Eikon]

Two things come to mind...

First off... there is a connector plate that would be about 1/2 inch in width that helps mate the engine to the manual transmission.. did you remove that plate?

Secondly.. Did you get a new auto pilot bushing? I understand that the auto and manual pilot bushings are different somehow...

[fayceoff]

Okay, I'm a mechanical newb... What/where is the pilot bushing?

[Eikon]

The pilot bushing is a small brass cylander about the size of wedding ring (but more like 4 of them stacked on top of each other).

It sits inside the crankcase behind the flywheel. When you put the output shaft of the transmission into the engine, it slides inside the pilot bushing and is stabalized there.

If you didn't have one, the output shaft would wobble and the whole clutch assembly might get out of alignment and not function.

I'm a noob to though.. You might not need one for an auto transmission... We pulled an auto trans off a few months ago that didn't seem to have one.. Of course the trans was bad.. so that might have been part of the reason... lol.

Do a search for pilot bushing and you will find out more.

[fayceoff]

Thanks a lot. I'm going to the shop to work on it tonight.

[elwesso]

IM with eikon on most of this. however, most likely (ALONG WITH THE OTHER THINGS MENTIONED) the torque converter is not on the trans enough. You need to keep turning and pushing it onto the input shaft of the trans until you feel it "seat". Youll hear/feel it almost click into place.

[fayceoff]

That was it!! I got it to seat by putting the drive shaft on and turning it while my brother pressed on the torque converter. I didn't bolt it up all the way, though, because I ordered a new pilot bushing that'll be in tomorrow.

Thanks.