80 converters are hard to stab no doubt. The main issue IMO is the converter hubs that are used in the after market. On a factory converter there is a chamfer on the surface area of the slots of the hub that have to spline into the pump gears. Most after market hubs do not have this and it is something that I have talked to many converter builders about changing in their products.

One thing to do if you are still having issues. Get a buddy to help you for starters. Take that 80 and stand it on its output shaft standing straight up. Then try installing the converter. This in most cases will do the trick. Also as big kid mentioned lube the oring for the converter. I myself like to use door ease instead of grease and it works well. Hope this helps. Vince

 

Get it started, support the pilot with one hand and push and turn till it locks in. I've never really had much of an issue getting any of the 80Es to seat this way. I built a guage that lays against the bellhousing face to show when the converter is fully seated and deep enough... It has a setting for 4L60E and 4L80E

 

Just to follow up, I put the trans on end using some 4x4's and made sure to line up the tabs on the converter and pump, seated it as best I could and gave it a little tap with a 4lb hammer and it went right in. The converter doesnt spin very easily though...im not sure if thats normal for the 80e, or because the trans and the converter are brand new, or what...

 

Pretty sure you're not supposed to use a 4lb hammer to seat the converter... Even with a brand new converter and pump it should just slide in.

 

By little tap I mean exactly that, it slide right in after one