Old man has been doing an engine conversion (putting an AU motor into an ED) and he finished it today, asked me to visit and give it a once over to make sure everythings right, it seems to be, the engine starts and runs perfect so I set the timing and take it for a test drive up the street

When I stop and accelerate anything other than grandma speed, I get a strong vibration type shudder though the car. Old man confirms it's never done that before. I'm fairly sure its coming from the transmission, not the engine

He then remembers he forgot to undo the flex plate to torque converter bolts when he first tried to remove the engine, he put a reasonable amount of force on it trying to seperate the two, then called me and I found what he was doing wrong.

I know SFA about autos, could he have damaged the TC, the auto or both?

I dont think the flex plate is bent, I put a pen against it underneath the engine with it idling and it didn't appear to be warped at all. It also has the right amount of fluid in it.

Cheers

He could off f**k the torque convertor or bent the torque convertora guide that slips into the crank.

Do you still have the power when you accelarate?? if the TC is rooted, you'll lose all power but will still rev right through...

Yep its still got power although I'm hesitant to accelerate with a fault like this, i'm worried I might break something.

Whats my best bet at diagnosing it?

are you sure the converter was put back onto the gearbox all the way?

Thats what I was thinking, perhaps the front pump has been damaged.

66coupe & twason - I have no idea, I didn't pull it apart nor reassemble it.

How does the TC get its fluid? Through the input shaft I assume?

How does one correctly remove and refit the TC? What can I do to check it when its out? What else can I check, eg freeplay on the auto input shaft (ie how much, am I looking for it being able to move side/side or in/out, etc?)

Cheers

I recommend you extract the trouble codes from the EEC first, to determine if any trans components are failing.

Also, perhaps do the "stall test", to check the integrity of the Torque Converter?