Automatic boltup caution!
 

I just spent 257.00 on a new forward pump, and torque converter, because I did not understand how the converter mates with the pump. The converter hub has about 2" slots that would lead one to believe that the mating tongs would be at least an inch long in the pump. NOT. The pump impeller has just about 1/4 inch to engage the converter.
We had the engine on a hoist and transmission on a table. The converter went up fine until about that last 1/4 inch. I thought there was a little binding in the crank to converter center shaft. While pulling up the bell bolts, we hear a pop and thought it was threads scraping the backer plate on the engine. NOT.
Turns out we had the converter 90 degrees off the impeller tabs. This excess pressure broke the cast iron pump pied in three pieces.
The transmission builder said it was not an uncommon occurrence in a DIY install.
Well lesson learned. The builder installed a new pump, primed the new converter and did the actual mating of the two units.
When we came back to the table, the two units mated perfectly.

Just remember to feel for that final 1/4 inch when doing the converter install.

Car is not back together and ready to roll.
Prof.

almost had this problem when replacing the auto in my sisters 01 nissan xterra. had a lil more room than a 1/4 inch, about 3/4 prolly.

at first i was puzzled as to why the tranny wouldnt go on the entire way. after 3 tries (tranny and transfer case, what a PITA..) and it wouldnt mate up, i decided to check everything again. pulled it out, inspected the splineds and noticed where the gap would be.

when i put it back in, all i did was get it lined up, and slowing spin the converter as i slide the tranny on. went on w/o a hitch, worked great, trans guy i took it too said i did a good job. made me happy for my first auto tranny install.

good heads up here!