I have a 96 ranger 2.3l 2WD,I’m replacing the motor with the same exact type motor an currently trying to connect the new motor to the tranny, I already installed the torque converter into the tranny first, an positioned it an heard the 2 engagement clicks then started aligning the flexpate holes to the torq converter studs (took me some time aligning the motor). I got all the 4 nuts on converter studs, then I start tightening all the engine-to-tranny bolts. While I’m tightening the bolts up I continuously check to make sure the engine is still moving freely by spinning the front crank bolt an everything is good. Until I completely finish tightening up the bolts all around an I test to see if the engine spins freely from the front crank bolt an nothing, engine won’t spin at all. I have not tried starting it all, every time I start to loosen up the Engine-to-tranny bolts the engine begins to spin freely more an more. I’m honestly trying to see if anyone can help I currently have the tranny separated from the engine now. BTW tranny was working completely fine just the original motor blew piston no.1 an seized up

 

Did you put the block plate/separator plate back in?
Thin metal piece that's between block and bell housing

Can you tell whats hitting as you tighten it up?

 

Yes the thin plate was installed and nothing looks to be binding

 

Yes the thin plate was installed and nothing looks to be binding

 

Well its either pushing crank forward against thrust bearings/washers, or pushing torque converter back inside trans or against bellhousing

not sure what the problem might be

Did you ever pull out the input shaft?
It can be put in backwards and won't go in all the way if reversed