Background on vehicle:
1999 Civic Lx 270,xxx miles, original engine/trans, Automatic

I pulled the engine/trans to replace timing belt/water pump and leaking front/rear main seals, oil pan gasket and valve stem seals.

I also replaced the AT input shaft seal and axle seals.

Now my problem is getting the torque converter to engage the last 1/2", I have consulted the Honda FSM and searched numerous threads on multiple sites.

I have rotated torque converter while pressing down and it failed to lock in, I have been trying to get this to engage fully for roughly 3 hours to no avail.

Anybody have any experience or tricks to getting the torque converter to drop in place?

Thanks in advance for the help H-T.

 

Is the torque converter O-ring installed correctly? Is the new oil seal or its installation the problem?

 

O ring and input shaft seal were installed as per the FSM. I am at a lose on this one, first issue I've ever had trying to reinstall a torque converter. I will get back at it tomorrow morning. I have the trans sitting on end, hoping gravity would be my friend, so far nothing

 

Wrong oil seal?

 

Not according to the P/N on the Honda packaging, I also checked it against the original input shaft seal.

 

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/how-remove-torque-converter-crankshaft-1415837/

In this^ thread, I found this post:

Does this help?

Did you lube the TC shaft and O-ring and the transmission oil seal?

 

Ron, I came across that thread in my searching for tricks on getting the torque converter to lock in place. I will be getting back at it in an hour or so and I will relube the O ring and splines, hopefully it drops in this morning

 

Good luck

 

Update:
Took transmission and torque converter to the Honda dealer to see if they could get it to engage, no luck.

They measured the hub inside the torque converter and it was oval out, something to do with the input shaft bearing worn out and it ovaled out the torque converter hub collar.

So that solves that problem, 270,xxx was a good run, time to replace torque converter and replace or rebuild trans.

 

Glad you figured it out.

Before you separated the transmission from the engine, did you first remove the bolts securing the torque converter to the drive plate so that the torque converter and transmission came out together as a unit?

 

Ron, yes, that is correct, I removed the 8 bolts the attach the TC to the drive plate prior to seperating the engine from the trans. The TC was difficult to remove from trans, meaning it didn't just slide off, I had to wiggle it by hand to get it to disengage so I could replace input shaft seal.

 

Nice job figuring it out.

And thanks for sharing the solution.

 

I see too many posts while searching that the OP never came back and posted the solution or conclusion, so hopefully this helps somebody in the future.

 

I agree.

It will.

So will you buy a new TC or buy a used one from a junk yard or somewhere else?

 

I am trying to avoid spending $600 on a new one from Honda. If I have to buy one I would prefer a good condition used one, most likely get one from an importer, since junk yards see the word Honda and add 300% to the price.

I do have a low mileage M24A AT with TC sitting in my garage, trying to verify whether or not the TC is a suitable replacement for the B4RA AT. All the TC remanufacturer's websites that I have visited state that they sell one unit that replaces TC's from all Civic's 92-05, including the M24A and B4RA, so that gives me some hope.

 

Have you checked the Marketplace? I'd assume that many members would almost just give away an automatic transmission or torque converter given the intense interest in the increased power associated with the manual transmission swap.

 

I have and the few responses I've received were less than promising. Even being an AT that nobody wants and they swap out for MT, they still want an arm and a leg for them.

 

That's too bad.

Have you also posted an inquiry in the FS/WTB sticky at the top?

 

I did in the marketplace, I had forgot about the FS/WTB thread in this sub forum.

 

Usually you can take a used torque converter to a transmission shop and have it cut open and rebuilt for a couple of hundred.

I couldn't even give those transmissions and torque converters away here (and I have tried)

 

I've found Honda remanufactured units online for under $100 shipped, but from all my research at parts stores, the m24a and b4ra use the same replacement TC, so I'm leaning towards using the spare low mileage TC I have in the garage.

I wish you lived down the street, I could use someone that's not trying to sell a used TC or transmission for more than a rebuild unit costs...lol

 

You should just plan a j-yard trip through Canada some time. You would be like a kid in a candy store. More like a thousand candy stores.

 

Minor update: I installed the M24A torque converter and no CEL, it manually shifted through all the gear selector positions as it normally did, same rpm's, etc. didn't get a chance to test drive it though, Had a bur on the TC that I missed and it nicked the input shaft seal. So I spent today dropping the transmission, replacing the seal, deburring the TC and got as far as reinstalling the transmission. Have to install axles and button it up for a test drive tomorrow.

E,
Someday I plan on it. It's a little harder now that I moved 1000 miles further south. Would I be able to cross the border with a vehicle load of parts fairly easily?

 

^ Absolutely. Especially if they're all for you. If it's for commercial purposes then there's some minor paperwork to fill out and maybe a $10 fee or so. Just keep your receipts. Otherwise, just fill your boots (and trunk). Most of it would get crushed anyway. I try to do my part and save stuff that I see to resell it but being only one guy I can't really keep up.

I've done at least one cross-country trip that paid for itself just on a few parts I picked out at junkyards and resold. Not a bad way to travel. I once heard about some guy who would do much the same thing but at old record stores - he knew which ones fetched a premium and he would buy low & sell high. Same idea.

 

Definitely something that I need to do, my passport is up to date. It seems all the little bits I am interested in I find on ebay through Canadian sellers anyways....