Installing Engine While Trans is Still in Car?

I am trying to install my engine while the trans is still in the car but I cant get the engine to line up with the torque converter. Are there any tricks to doing this? The car is a 73 Charger, 440, 727. Thanks

get the engine to mate with the trans..the converter will line up then..

make sure torque conv is all the way in,inside the trans.just line up the 2 dowl pins and mate the trans and engine, then the torque conv. The torque convertor will only bolt up 1 way.so if it's off the first time-rotate conv to another hole and try it.1 in 4 chance.The torque convertor will sit farther in the trans than needed.When engine-trans are bolted together the conv will come towards the engine some.maybe 1/4 inch?.If engine hits torque conv before engine-trans seat,then the conv is not in all the way.Don't forget to lock tight the torque convertor bolts.Usually need to jack the trans up to help line up- then get the mounts adjusted.Sometimes leaving the motor mount brackets a little loose at the engine will give you some more wiggle room.if you're doing headers,those will need to be in place with the engine going in.Most (not all) will not go in very easy will engine trans in place.

I think the converter is all the way back but the snout of the converter seems to hit the flex plate before the engine is back far enough to sit in the mounts. It's a 73 so it uses spool mounts.

gotta play with the angles of the back of the motor and trans....use a floor jack under the trans to change its pitch..

sometimes it is a PIA with spool mounts.

might see if you can loosen the trans mount so you can move the trans back a bit

Converter should be at least an inch behind the bell housing edge.

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I think the converter is all the way back but the snout of the converter seems to hit the flex plate

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Using one hand placed in the middle of the converter spin it as you force it rearward into the bell housing, sounds like you don't have it fully seated rearward for engine installation/alignment to the transmission