we just pulled a 700r4 this week end and best to remover whit the torque converter. and when removed it was difficult to get the torque converter off the trans. was fried. if it was still bolt to the flex plate I don't think we would have gotten it off. My boy worked for a trans shop removing and installing transmissions and there are times it is very difficult to get the t/c off. get a long bar and turn the engine and remove the t/c bolt the best solution Ed .