[tech] engine swap woes-> auto to 5 speed? HELP!

["Michael Abatzis" <abatzis2@hotmail.com>]

ok, so the swap (1.8 16v-->2.0 16v) was going smoothly. got the old engine
out, separated the tranny, and... crap. i have to take the clutch apart and
switch to the new block. ok, i just wish i had bought a new clutch before
starting*. hmmm. the mounting plate is different on the new engine. but
everything _seemed_ to fit together ok.  then the crank wouldn't turn when
it was back together. after many hours of cursing, modifying,
disassemble/reassembling, figured out that the new block was an automatic.
so i have this carrier plate (torque converter apparently mounts to it) on
the new block that appears to be one piece with the crank. i couldn't put my
old transmission cover plate onto the new block because this carrier plate
was in the way. as a result, i don't have enough clearance for the flywheel
when the tranny is reassembled (it hits the back of the case). i'm only
about 1mm short, which is the approximate thickness of the cover. so i
figure my options are: 1) somehow get that damn carrier plate off (HOW? can
it be done w/o taking the block apart? i can't find it in etka) 2. modify my
cover so that i can put it back on (it won't fully cover the tranny if i do
that-->crap will get inside the case. i assume this is bad) 3. put washers
b/t the case and the block to space it out. same probs as w/ 2 if i do that
though.  sorry for the long email, but i've wasted 1 1/2 days on this crap,
and i'm really really frustrated. please help! TIA,
-michael

*i didn't buy the clutch cause i didn't know i'd have to disassemble it
anyway. i'm going to get one now. do i have to replace the pressure plate
too (110k miles)?

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