Converter dimension help!!

[Jim Comet]

Hey everyone, I just bought a new $1000 name brand converter. Before installing it I am checking dimensions. It fits the transmission great. the problem I have is the pilot that goes into the crank appears to be too long and bottoms into the crank before the converter pads reach the flex plate. When installed in the trans and bolted to the motor the converter does not have any front to rear clearance. I did not force the install, everything slid together by hand on dowels. Also with the trans bolted to the motor the converter pads have .200 clearance between the flex plate so I would have to add spacers. It appears to me the pads are too short and the pilot to long. Would any of you guys be willing to check the pilot length to mount pad dimensions on a C6 FE converter you may have? I am being told I need to pay shipping and machining fees to have this fixed. I want to get this right! Here are a couple photos of the dimension I am looking for. Notice on the new converter the mount pads are not even level! Jim

[Stangman]

I agree Jim the snout looks at least in the pictures to be too long, also the bolt pads that would mount against flywheel also appear to be beveled on the outside. It doesn’t look like they would be flat against flywheel while tightening. If it was manufactured wrong it I don’t know why you would have to pay for shipping. Maybe if they see if it was there fault they reimburse you.?

[57 lima bean]

I dealt with this too.Aftermarket cranks are not machined to OEM specs.With the pads not even close to being correct,I would send a photo to them to show their lack of machining/manufacturing skill.My $1500 converter went back twice.   

   edit.......What is the stud in the lower photo?

[thatdarncat]

I have two different brands of aftermarket C6 converters on hand, measured like your picture I get about .515” - .531” on one, and about .421” - .437” on the other.

It seems I have heard reports of the pilot hole in some aftermarket crankshafts being shallow, maybe someone can confirm if that’s an issue? I have used both these converters, but with factory Ford cranks & flexplates.

I’ll edit to add - I imagine an aftermarket SFI flexplate of thicker material and possibly different shape could affect the assembly too.

[Jim Comet]

The Reactor flex plate I am using is 1/4 inch thick aluminum. I measured a stock 390 crank pilot hole and the RPM steel crank pilot hole and the RPM is 1/8" deeper. The bolt Steve is referring to is a converter mounting bolt. It looks to be worn. I'll have to replace it when I have the converter rebuilt. Jim