C4 installation confusion

Are you talking about a spacer between the crankshaft and the flex-plate? Not always needed. Spacing is measured, and the spacer width is selected:



Ford C6/C4 = 1.125” from bell housing to converter pads.
AODE = 1.030” from bell housing to converter pads.
AOD = 1.000” from bell housing to converter pads.
Distance may vary +/- .050”.

8. Remove any debris in the crankshaft pilot hole and lubricate. Clean and lubricate the dowel pins.
Check to see that dowel pins will be in the transmission bell housing by more than .250”. 9. Mount transmission to the back of the engine block making sure the bell housing fits squarely against the block. If it does not, find out why! Is there something between the bell housing and block or has the torque converter slipped out of the transmission?

DO NOT PULL UP THE BELL HOUSING TO THE BLOC K USING THE BELL HOUSING BOLTS!!!!

10. After the transmission bell housing bolts are tightened, check to see if the torque converter will
turn by hand. Push the torque converter back into the transmission as far as it will go. Using feeler gauges or calipers measure the gap between the flex-plate converter mounting pad and the torque converter mounting pad. If gap distance is between .060” and .187” it is OK to bolt up the torque converter. If the gap is greater than .187” install a .060” flat washer between the torque converter and flex-plate.

 

installed C-4s a hundred times and never knew there was a spec. for setting one up...

 

if the converter bolts hit the cover I doubt a spacer will help, I have seen several of these when taking a stock engine out and were always on the other side between the bolts and flexplate. so i am confused on this one

 

I agree with modmav I have always seen them between on transmission side of flexplate, never really saw a need for it. Hopefully Rev Ron will clue us in on what the issue was so we can log it in our learning experiences. If I had to guess I would say it was the wrong flexplate or he took some material off of the nuts/bolts

 

I was told that was a reinforcing plate for the flexplate center to keep it from cracking between the bolt holes...

 

Yep AFAIK that's it's intended function... Factory flexplates were a bit flimsy, not likely needed with a aftermarket SFI spec plate...

 

Yeah.. it's a bolt load distribution ring that goes on the outside. The rings Greg posted pic's of are for shims for spacing flexplate to eliminate excessive clearance. I prefer machined washers to push the converter deeper into the pump. Too much cocks the converter on the stator which causes vibration and whine. Front case bearing will wallow and wear out sooner too.

 

I do love a good mystery, but I think this one is solved