OK guys, i was going ot swap motors because I heard a clunking noise. And when I pulled it out and unbolted tranny and stuff, i found out the flywheel was cracked all the way around. It happened right after I installed a new tranny. What should I do to prevent it from happening agian.

Ray

Ray,
It sounds as though you might not have had the torque converter all the way back into the transmission ? When the converter is installed correctly, you should be able to pull it back away from the flywheel about 1/4 inch or so, or at least enough so that it is not touching the flywheel. If it is not into the front of the transmission all the way, it will be forced against the flywheel and it will not only end up breaking the flywheel, but probably ruined the front pump in the transmission also.
You also have to make sure that the converter goes at least part of the way into the back of the crankshaft. YOu should be able to pull it forward up against the flywheel without forcing it. This will also cause a broken flywheel.
If you had the first problem, I would recommend that you take the trans to the builder and have him examine the front pump for damage, and also show you how to properly get the converter all the way in, it is a bit tricky if you have never done it before.
If you had neither of the above situations, then I am not sure why the flywheel would have broken.
Hope this helps,

------------------
Bill Koustenis
Owner
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md
1971 Chevelle "Heavy Chevy" original owner
1973 Z-28 ..one family car...Brother bought it new in 73

should the converter click 3 times when it is installed correctly? The tranny is still good it still had good hard shifts and didn't leak any fluid at all. So when it is installed correctly there should be a 1/4 inch gap between flywheel and converter? Let me know, i'm putting it in tomorrow night
thanks
Ray

I'm not sure what causes it, but some friends of mine and I had it happen to 3 different chevys, it seems to be a problem with them. I know that these cars were put together correctly, including the torque converter so I would say I don't think that that would cause it, but In all cases the cars were driven HARD. It may be an inability for the flywheel to withstand leadfeet!!! I would change the flywheel (about $50.00 at Murrays) put it back together and drive it.
If you think the torque converter was in wrong, then by all means, take it to be looked at, but usually when the torque converter has been installed wrong, it shears off the key on the trans(it lines up with the notch on your torque converter) in which case you'ld be able to see it!!! if that happened the trans also wouldn't work!!! Good luck!!