Corolla motor replacement help...

Im replacing the motor in a 98 corolla. I removed the tranny and motor together but am installing them separate. I already have the tranny in and bolted up to two motor mounts and the motor in place but cant seem to get it together.
I installed the torque converter on the flywheel before putting the motor in the bay.
I can get one bolt on the top and one on the back to line up and start to thread but I cant get the bottom to get close enough to start a bolt.


Engine is on a hoist and tranny is on two mounts and a jack to it has some wiggle room.
I have tried shaking the shit out of the motor and it will not slide in there.
Ive never really worked on automatics before so do I need to have it in neutral?
Any tips on how to make this happen?

 

I have but it was the end of the day and I was pretty much beat for the day.
Ill get back into it in a day or two with more energy and hopefully get it lined up.

 

Ive read about some people bolting the TC after its together but that would require me to wrestle the motor back out enough to remove it.
There is a selector on the front of the tranny, would it go in the normal order like the shifter P-R-N-D-2-1? I bet thats my problem. If the tranny was in neutral the shaft might spin a bit to let the TC slide on there. This is the first automatic I have ever worked on to this extent.

 

Ok take it back out cause you just ruined your front pump seal and maybe your pump itself.

you NEVER install a torque converter like that.

It has to go into a set of splines for the input shaft AND splines for the pump.

It's very precise engagement and no room for error.

Take it back out and take the trans to a tranny shop and have them inspect the T/C and the front pump splines and bushing. Have them install the new pump seal if the pump is ok and watch them install the T/C for you. Then have them put a T/C retainer on it to keep it in position.
then bring it back and bolt it up to the motor and install as one unit.
I wish you luck.
This is a very bad situation and will not get any better unless you get some help.

 

Wouldn't it be easier to mate the tranny and motor and drop in as single unit the way it came out?

 

Took it back apart and reinstalled the TC on the shaft. I watched an old man on youtube and it helped. Everything went back together perfect the 2nd time around. Everything looked fine on the tranny there were no marks on the seal or splines so hopefully its all good. I got most of everything back together. All I have left is exhaust. axles and radiator and it should be done.

 

Yea us old men are handy to have around at times.. lol
I do hope you didn't concave the seal or pop the seal spring out from the lip.

Just take your time.

You should have had to pull the T/C towards the flywheel to get the bolts started. If you didn't then you'll know it when you start it up...
double check your bolts and elect connectors and hit the key.

 

I also learned how to pack wheel bearings in the palm of my hand from an old man on youtube.
If the seal is popped or concaved would it leak out the atf immediately or would it take it a while?

The 2nd time around I was able to move the TC with my fingers and line up the holes and it did pull the TC up to the flex plate.

thanks!

 

If there was damage to the seal it would all depend on the severity.
If you ripped the seal ETC. then within a min or two you would know.
Hey don't worry about it. If it leaks you know what to do to get it apart to repair.
Pulling the T/C towards the flywheel means you got the converter into the pump ass. So that's in your favor.

I packed wheel bearings like you describe since the early 70's.
Makes the palm of your hand real clean.
Don't see it as much with the sealed bearings on the market now.