Trouble getting transmission bolted up to block ?

[Canadian1968]

My friend and I tried to bolt up the tranny to th transmission today . Something we though would be about half an hour job, well 4 hours later they are still sitting on separate stands!

Our problem is that we just can't seem t get the bellhousing to sit flush to the block. We can get all four top bolts in but the bottom is way out maybe like 1/4"  not more . The other bolts are started but no where near torqued down . It just seems to be to much friction some where. The two should slide together pretty easy no ? Flush all around ?

Torque converter is in place , flex plate torqued down , not to much else to do ??
Engine is a fresh rebuild just trying to put all back together !?

Thoughts suggestions

[ws23rt]

The torque converter has driving lugs that engage the front pump on the trans. --This the first thing that comes to my mind.
If it's not engaged the torque converter will be around a half inch out from where it needs to be to bolt up.

[Canadian1968]

driving lugs?

going by the FSM put a flat edge against the face of the bell housing edge of the flywheel is abut 3/4" in

[70 sublime]

Did you measure the motor and flex plate the same way to see how far out from the back of the motor block the flex plate is ?

[birdsandbees]

The torque converter has driving lugs that engage the front pump on the trans. --This the first thing that comes to my mind.
If it's not engaged the torque converter will be around a half inch out from where it needs to be to bolt up.

[ws23rt]

driving lugs?

going by the FSM put a flat edge against the face of the bell housing edge of the flywheel is abut 3/4" in

Edge of the flywheel?----Do you mean the ring gear?  ----The flex plate mounting lugs on the torque converter should be about a half inch in from the bell housing surface.

[Mopar Nut]

The torque converter has driving lugs that engage the front pump on the trans. --This the first thing that comes to my mind.
If it's not engaged the torque converter will be around a half inch out from where it needs to be to bolt up.

[BSB67]

driving lugs?

going by the FSM put a flat edge against the face of the bell housing edge of the flywheel is abut 3/4" in

That means you are fine.

I'm not sure what you are doing.  Is one or the other in the car?  When everything is lined up and square, they usually slip together pretty well.  There always seems to be a lot of jiggling around if either the motor or tranny are in the car

[Canadian1968]

Well I got it ! The torque converter wasn't fully seated . I had twisted and turned that thing all over the place was sure it was in. I go out and give it another little turn and boom slides another 1/4 " . It was easy after that 

[cdr]

sure hope the front pump is not broken,,i would have it checked before i went any further.

[Canadian1968]

We were pretty careful not to really force anything, I don't think anything was damaged.  Pretty easy for me to pull it off and check, what am I looking for ?

[cdr]

the front pump needs to be taken off & disassembled & check for anything cracked.

[John_Kunkel]

You can check for broken pump drive lugs without removing the pump. Shine a strong flashlight between the splined hub and the seal lip, look for the drive lugs on the inner rotor in the pic above.