I took the transmission out to replace the flex plate, and on another post I made, someone suggested that I replace the transmission input shaft seal. I'm assuming this is the seal behind the torque converter. The replacement seal I got was "National Seal 223830" anyone know for sure if it will fit?
How do I get the torque convertor out? Can I just pull on it? Does it spill a bunch of fluid? When I put it back, does it have to be exactly in the same place/rotation, or is it fine if it is slightly different?

 

Just give it a pull, it will dump fluid so be ready for that.

 

Like a ton of fluid? >1 qt. The fluid should go back in when I fill up the transmission, right?

 

Its a good idea to place a steel rule across the trans bellhousing mount, and measure the distance back to the TC, which should be about 1"

Make sure the TC is fully seated before taking this measurement

Its fairly easy to put them back together not fully seated, if you are inexperienced, and that can wreck the trans

Yes, they spill fluid if you point them down, and it should ideally be replaced prior to installation

To get the seal out, I use a small slide hammer with a self tapping screw. You can pry it out with a self tapper and prybar, or there is a special tool

 

You could also leave it alone.........

 

Yeah, I might end up doing that. Would all the new transmission fluid im putting in cause the seal to leak?

 

No.

 

That looks like the correct seal. I don't recall a lot of fluid coming out of the torque converter until you hold it with the input shaft pointing down. It should come off pretty easily with a little turning while pulling. The install is a 2 position step. It will go on to a certain point, then you turn it and push and it will seat all the way. I had the input seal fail on both my 98 and 99 and would defintiely replace it. They both failed with the seal getting brittle. Then, once the fluid heated up and expanded it would leak past the seal. I used a seal puller like one.

 

So as long as the measurement is the same when I put it back in, I should be good to go?

 

I noticed that my torque convertor has some upward play. Nothing side to side, or downward even when rotating. Did the cracked flexplate cause this? I found a video where someone has a similar problem . Is this fine? The transmission seems to be in good shape when driving.

 

Totally normal. The wiggle you feel is just the turbine inside the converter.

 

How can I be sure that the torque converter is seated properly before putting the transmission back?

 

Is the measurement the same?

 

Yes, unless the torque converter slipped forward when taking the transmission out. But when I put it back in, there was a nice satisfying knock, so I think its alright.. From the outside of the torque converter to a straightedge, it measured about 1 - 3/8".

 

Thats what I did...

was much quicker doing the job 2nd time around next day, even though I was feeling a bit busted

In my case, I was swapping trans though, dont know how long it sat with the TC on the shaft (thought it was straight out of a wreck)