[jtettenb]

I Just dropped in a rebuilt 289 attached to a c4 auto. The problem is, I was dumb enough to not check the clearance of the flywheel until now, when just about everything is bolted up. The weight on the flywheel makes contact with the spacer plate between the trans and motor. If you know what could have caused this I would appreciate any imput. All I know to do is take it back apart and redo it. Is there anyway to remove the flywheel and torque converter without fully removing the engine?

[Veronica]

Hello. That's probably the easist way. The other way to pick up the car, remove the transmission, and do the work from underneath the car. If it was me, I would remove the engine and the transmission and bolt it together before I put it back in the car. That way I could spin the motor by hand before I installed the spark plugs and see if anything was hitting anything else.

[The Greek]

If the counterweight is rubbing against the spacer it could be that the flexplate is warped or there is too much endplay in the crankshaft. This could be caused by a worn thrust bearing or, since the engine was rebuilt, the crankshaft thrust surface is worn excessively. Another crankshaft will need to be installed. The thrust bearing is part of the middle main bearing. This would be an issue caused by the engine rebuilder not checking the crankshaft endplay spec. before completing the rebuild.

The transmission has to be removed to access the torque converter and flexplate or the engine with the trans attached will have to be pulled. I have found it easier to pull the whole thing, eng and trans at the same time. With the problem that you have, if it's not a warped flexplate, the engine will have to be removed to repair the excessive crank endplay.

The only other reason that the counterweight would make contact would be that the weight wasn't attached properly by the manufacturer. I wouldn't try grinding any material off of the weight to create clearance as this may cause an engine vibration.

[Dave]

Thank you from someone else who has been trying to help a buddy out with the same problem. Did a bunch of measuring from the parts I have laying around and a short block on stand and came up that he ought to have 3/16 clearance. He's got a fresh motor also.
Dave

[The Greek]

The crankshaft endplay spec for a 289 is .004" to .008" with a wear limit of .012". This also applies to the 302 (5.0) and 351W.

[joef21]

I would also check to see if by chance your torque converter has two drain plugs and you did not take care to align it with the two holes in the flex plate. I have had this problem myself.