Excessive Crankshaft End Play

[yellomalibu]

If the converter is more than 1/8" away from the flex plate, use spacers or washers between the two when bolting them together, so that the converter pulls out of the transmission about an 1/8" - which is required for thrust bearing longevity. If the gap is less than 1/8" then the converter probably isn't seated in the transmission properly or something else is wrong.

That was what the instructions on one of my converters said to do. Either the TCI or the B&M.

[65longroof]

Gotcha. Let me ask....why'd you continue to assemble the package in the 1st place with 3/4" between converter and flex plate? Risky shit right there. I'm surprised it didn't wipe the pump instantly. I've seen pumps go away immediately when guys use a Powerglide flex plate on a TH350 or 400 with less than 3/4"...but more than is supposed to be there

I guess I just didn't know any better at the time... Learning something new everyday, but learning the hard way can be a lot of work sometimes!

[65longroof]

If the converter is more than 1/8" away from the flex plate, use spacers or washers between the two when bolting them together, so that the converter pulls out of the transmission about an 1/8" - which is required for thrust bearing longevity. If the gap is less than 1/8" then the converter probably isn't seated in the transmission properly or something else is wrong.

That was what the instructions on one of my converters said to do. Either the TCI or the B&M.

The gap was actually less than 1/4", I didn't measure it. The guy that built the converter said if it got to be more than 1/4" to put spacers in.

[groucho]

I guess I just didn't know any better at the time... Learning something new everyday, but learning the hard way can be a lot of work sometimes!

Yes, but at least we learn, right? I've seen guys make the same damn mistake, over and over

[yellomalibu]

On thrust bearing longevity:

With a manual transmission, does sitting at traffic lights with the clutch pushed in for minutes at a time wear the thrust bearing? Enough to worry about it?

[groucho]

On thrust bearing longevity:

With a manual transmission, does sitting at traffic lights with the clutch pushed in for minutes at a time wear the thrust bearing? Enough to worry about it?

It'll wear it and the TO bearing. How much exactly? Dunno. I let my clutch out at all stops on my stick cars

[CDMBill]

On thrust bearing longevity:

With a manual transmission, does sitting at traffic lights with the clutch pushed in for minutes at a time wear the thrust bearing? Enough to worry about it?

Not enough to worry about if the clearances and thrust are set correctly, even with a pretty big clutch pressure wise. Most diaphragm style clutches go over center or close to it when fully depressed and exert less thrust pressure as a result when dis-engaged.