1998 Riv, how hard to replace torque converter?

Hi Folks,
My torque converter is getting noisy (whirling noise) when he car is cold. Quiet when up to temperature. Transmission works great.
Removed the belts and verified the noise is coming from the converter area.
Can the transmission be unbolted from the engine and shifted back far enough to remove the converter?
See a stock 258 converter from NAPA is about 150-180.00. ZZP converter and 245 flexplate would set me back 450.00.
Which would be the way to go for a street car?
Bruce in WI

I believe you can only remove the TC one of two ways: dropping the cradle (and transmission) or by raising the engine. Both are time consuming, but going out the bottom is how the pros do it, dropping the cradle to pull the entire transaxle for inspection/rebuild, using a lift. If you can't lift the car, maybe hoisting the engine could work. It's a whole lot of disconnecting, but once the engine is raised out of the way, the TC can be removed from inside the bay. When I removed my engine last year, I noticed the TC was easily accessible.

_________________
'05 GTO 6.0L • 6-spd • 95k miles • 0-60: 4.8s • 16.9 avg MPG • Nelson Ledges Lap: 1:26

'95 Celica GT 2.2L • 5-spd • 165k miles • 0-60: yes

'98 SC Riviera • 281k miles • 298 HP/370 TQ • 0-60: 5.79s • ET: 13.97 @ 99.28 • 4087 lb • 20.1 avg MPG • Nelson Ledges Lap: 1:30
3.4" pulley • AL104 plugs • 180º t-stat • FWI w/K&N • 1.9:1 rockers • OR pushrods • LS6 valve springs • SLP headers • ZZP fuel rails
KYB GR2 struts • MaxAir shocks • Addco sway bars • UMI bushings • GM STB • Enkei 18" EV5s w/ Dunlop DZ101s • F-body calipers
EBC bluestuff/Hawk HP plus • SS lines • Brembo slotted discs • DHP tuned • Aeroforce • Hidden Hitch
^^^ SOLD ^^^ frown

'70 Ninety-Eight Holiday Coupe 455cid • 116k miles
^^^ SOLD ^^^ frown

Thanks for the reply.
Think lifting the engine would work the best for me.
Would it be a good time to replace the timing chain/gears?
How would i check the wear?
Bruce in WI

Sure, if you're removing the engine, check the chain for slack and the timing chain damper for wear. Mine had 247k miles and the builder said chain, sprockets and damper all still looked good. Even so, I replaced mine with a new Rollmaster ($100) set, which I bought a few years ago for a rainy day. It's a stronger, much tighter fitting set, however I'm still impressed at how well the stocker help up, especially revving a high lift valvetrain to high RPM on many an occasion over 165k of those miles.

_________________
'05 GTO 6.0L • 6-spd • 95k miles • 0-60: 4.8s • 16.9 avg MPG • Nelson Ledges Lap: 1:26

'95 Celica GT 2.2L • 5-spd • 165k miles • 0-60: yes

'98 SC Riviera • 281k miles • 298 HP/370 TQ • 0-60: 5.79s • ET: 13.97 @ 99.28 • 4087 lb • 20.1 avg MPG • Nelson Ledges Lap: 1:30
3.4" pulley • AL104 plugs • 180º t-stat • FWI w/K&N • 1.9:1 rockers • OR pushrods • LS6 valve springs • SLP headers • ZZP fuel rails
KYB GR2 struts • MaxAir shocks • Addco sway bars • UMI bushings • GM STB • Enkei 18" EV5s w/ Dunlop DZ101s • F-body calipers
EBC bluestuff/Hawk HP plus • SS lines • Brembo slotted discs • DHP tuned • Aeroforce • Hidden Hitch
^^^ SOLD ^^^ frown

'70 Ninety-Eight Holiday Coupe 455cid • 116k miles
^^^ SOLD ^^^ frown

flyingjunebugs wrote:: Thanks for the reply.
Think lifting the engine would work the best for me.
Would it be a good time to replace the timing chain/gears?
How would i check the wear?
Bruce in WI

I agree lifting the engine might be the best approach for just a converter replacement.

How many miles on the timing chain? It's not a 'wear item' as such, and I've never heard of one skipping a tooth or anything. Personally I would leave alone unless I was going to go through all the rotating assy and replace the cam, freshen bearings, etc.

flyingjunebugs wrote:: Hi Folks,
My torque converter is getting noisy (whirling noise) when he car is cold. Quiet when up to temperature. Transmission works great.
Removed the belts and verified the noise is coming from the converter area.
Can the transmission be unbolted from the engine and shifted back far enough to remove the converter?
See a stock 258 converter from NAPA is about 150-180.00. ZZP converter and 245 flexplate would set me back 450.00.
Which would be the way to go for a street car?
Bruce in WI

Before doing all this pulling please check transmission fluid quantity and quality. Do you think it might be time for a fluid change to dexron VI?

Thanks for the reply,s. Tried replacing fluid/filter with the newest Dexron vi, did not help. The transmission pan was normal, no metal. Did not help with the noise. Waiting for better weather to replace the torque converter. My scan gauge shows normal transmission temps, when the car is used.