I plan on replacing the rear engine seal, front transmission seal, and transmission solenoid in a 93 wagon I bought at a car auction recently with 218K miles on it. I have done a couple rear engine seal and front transmission seal replacements in the past and had a problem with a front transmission seal leaking on one and not leaking on another. I remember spending lots of time getting the torque converter in the correct slots and figure I must have damaged the seal on the one that leaked (I replaced the transmission with another one from a junker and don't know what the actual problem was with the leaker).

Does anyone have any advice on getting the torque converter in the slots without lots of trial and error, which would increase my chances of keeping the seal intact? I have considered not changing the front transmission seal because I have never seen one start leaking with wear and I can usually get the torque converter to come out of the car with the transmission (no alignment problems on installation) but that is against my better judgment since the actual seal replacement is easy and inexpensive.

Thank you!
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Mine: 3-940s running, 3-740 and 1-940 parts cars, and 3 John Deere 630s, dtr1:3-940s, dtr2:2-740s