Rookie mistake help please- torque converter install question

[mikemtnbike]

So, I somehow missed in all the removing engine directions to unbolt my TC from the flex plate before removing engine from AT. Realized I should have done this while researching re-install this morning before going to work. Now I need advice on next steps...just try to get it to all go back together, fingers crossed? Have to put in new TC seal? Totally fubared? Stop smacking my hand against my forehead, it's not really that bad?

Thanks.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[danfromsyr]

it's not the end of the world.
just remove the TC from the engine flex plate.
rotate the engine till the 3 TC bolts line up in the access hole.
hold the motor steady with a XYZ (bar,strap,gloved hand, etc) to remove the TC bolts.
then slip the TC back up into the AT. before you reinstall the motor and don't forget to reinstall the TC bolts.. that can also happen when one is in a hurry and forgetful.
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[mikemtnbike]

Yeah, I had to remove the TC to put it on the stand, so that's done. If the incredibly OCD system of ziploc bags, masking tape, and photos I've got going on doesn't prevent me from missing putting bolts back in where they go, I don't know what will.

Ok, fingers crossed, thanks dan.
_________________
1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[IdahoDoug]

Mike - the Bentley spec for torque on the flex plate to TC 3 bolts is wrong. Be sure you do some Samba research. I think it says 80ft/lbs or something WAY high. I don't have time to research as I just went through this last week but saw your post. So clarify that before installing those three bolts.

Doug
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1993 Toyota LandCruiser, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[ftp2leta]

REPLACE the TC seal

Ben
_________________
Working with rust, grease, dirt and dust is a sad truth.
------------------------------------------------------
FI part for sale: http://www.benplace.com/parts_sale1.htm
My site: http://www.benplace.com/vw2.htm
Subi conversion: http://www.benplace.com/vanaru_eng.htm
Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/ftp2leta

[mikemtnbike]

I picked up the TC seal from NAPA that kourt recommended in his big thread on my way into work.
_________________
1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[kourt]

Yay! I helped!

[pablum]

[ALIKA T3]

[kourt]

See this post for the NAPA seal information:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7946148#7946148

kourt

[pablum]

[mikemtnbike]

I got the part # here:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7398984&highlight=napa#7398984

You need the part #. The part that NAPA hands you when you just ask for the TC seal is NOT the same part. It's labeled oil seal and is completely encased in metal around the circumference with a continuous raised lip, all rubber parts recessed and a visible spring on the ID of the rubber parts. Interestingly, the NAPA website shows the correct TC seal with a different part #, but then the wrong part they handed me had the part # from the website.
I'd have just ordered the GW seal, but I really want to get my motor in this weekend, got a camping trip in two weeks and need to do some shakedown.
_________________
1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[kourt]

Howdy,

The Van-Cafe seal is the all-rubber failure prone seal--I advise against buying it. I had three or four of them fail.

The Napa part 550237 is nominally a rear wheel seal, not a torque converter seal, but its design (with metal contact surfaces and a slightly larger diameter) makes it a good and tight fit. Go with the Napa 550237 seal or the National 3051N. Don't go shopping for something that looks like the seal on the Van-Cafe site--you'll wind up with a poor performing seal.

kourt

[mikemtnbike]

Here's the part that comes up on the napa site.

https://www.napaonline.com/napa/en/p/ATP17190/ATP17190

Obviously, that Napa Seal looks very close if not identical to the Gowesty seal.

http://www.gowesty.com/product-details.php?v=&id=21938

But, if you pre-order it on Napaonline and go to the store to pick it up, this is what they hand you. Note that the parts # matches the first link.

Anyway, the part # given by Kourt leads to the correct part.
_________________
1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[Wildthings]

[ftp2leta]

Napa picture is not the right one,,, but it's a picture.

That seal should be installed/pushed in place by hand... flush with the case

Ben
_________________
Working with rust, grease, dirt and dust is a sad truth.
------------------------------------------------------
FI part for sale: http://www.benplace.com/parts_sale1.htm
My site: http://www.benplace.com/vw2.htm
Subi conversion: http://www.benplace.com/vanaru_eng.htm
Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/ftp2leta

[kourt]

The correct Napa seal 550237 looks like this:

You can google "napa 550237" to find it.

kourt

[mikemtnbike]

[ftp2leta]

Just for you as I was doing one


Link


Ben
_________________
Working with rust, grease, dirt and dust is a sad truth.
------------------------------------------------------
FI part for sale: http://www.benplace.com/parts_sale1.htm
My site: http://www.benplace.com/vw2.htm
Subi conversion: http://www.benplace.com/vanaru_eng.htm
Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/ftp2leta

[Wildthings]