Broken Torque Converter

Greg Gay · 05-25-2015, 08:50 AM

My S/S car will normally leave with the wheels up about 3 feet. This year, when I let off the transbrake button, the car stumbles out about 3 car lengths, then runs strong to the finish line. MPH is about normal, but et is off .5 seconds. I tried leaning the primary, leaning the secondary, float height adjustment, different rpm. The car responds to the changes, but both mph and et adjust together. The same .5 delay remains. One racer described it as sounding like it stays on the 2 step for awhile after the leave, but I can't see anyway that is possible. Does the broken torque converter idea fit? Any other ideas?

Danny Ashley · 05-25-2015, 09:27 AM

If it's a Q-Jet car, make sure the secondary rods are sealed. Sounds like a spill-over problem. Regards, Danny.

MR DERBY CITY · 05-25-2015, 12:15 PM

If it drives off like a STREET Car,then runs strong to the finish line, I would definitely change converters. Been there ...Done that.....M.J.

Alan Roehrich · 05-25-2015, 01:07 PM

A converter will not cause a stumble. At least I haven't seen one do it in about 35 years or so. It will make one lazy, but not a real stumble.

As Danny said, it sounds a lot like a carburetor problem, both the Q-Jet and the Holley carburetors do it, but for different reasons.

It can also be one of any number of electrical problems, a connection, a loose ground, I've even seen a battery do it because a plate came loose. I've seen an oil filled coil do it, too.

Mark Yacavone · 05-25-2015, 01:57 PM

Hold the T brake on or put it in manual 3rd and hold the foot brake, and flash the converter.
If it goes up to near where it should be.. most likely not a converter issue.

Bob Gullett · 05-25-2015, 02:39 PM

A few years ago when we had my wife's stocker we had the same issue. Started stumbling real bad. Changed everything but the MSD two step module. Took the one out of my car problem fixed. Put her's in my car same problem. Just a suggestion if you have one of these modules.

05-25-2015, 08:50 AM	#1
Greg Gay Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 385 Likes: 21 Liked 283 Times in 70 Posts	Broken Torque Converter My S/S car will normally leave with the wheels up about 3 feet. This year, when I let off the transbrake button, the car stumbles out about 3 car lengths, then runs strong to the finish line. MPH is about normal, but et is off .5 seconds. I tried leaning the primary, leaning the secondary, float height adjustment, different rpm. The car responds to the changes, but both mph and et adjust together. The same .5 delay remains. One racer described it as sounding like it stays on the 2 step for awhile after the leave, but I can't see anyway that is possible. Does the broken torque converter idea fit? Any other ideas?

05-25-2015, 09:27 AM	#2
Danny Ashley Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Marion,In. Posts: 267 Likes: 60 Liked 110 Times in 29 Posts	Re: Broken Torque Converter If it's a Q-Jet car, make sure the secondary rods are sealed. Sounds like a spill-over problem. Regards, Danny.

05-25-2015, 12:15 PM	#3
MR DERBY CITY VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Derby City, USA Posts: 3,637 Likes: 1,083 Liked 7,937 Times in 1,518 Posts	Re: Broken Torque Converter If it drives off like a STREET Car,then runs strong to the finish line, I would definitely change converters. Been there ...Done that.....M.J.

05-25-2015, 01:07 PM	#4
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,113 Likes: 1,571 Liked 1,821 Times in 413 Posts	Re: Broken Torque Converter A converter will not cause a stumble. At least I haven't seen one do it in about 35 years or so. It will make one lazy, but not a real stumble. As Danny said, it sounds a lot like a carburetor problem, both the Q-Jet and the Holley carburetors do it, but for different reasons. It can also be one of any number of electrical problems, a connection, a loose ground, I've even seen a battery do it because a plate came loose. I've seen an oil filled coil do it, too. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

05-25-2015, 01:57 PM	#5
Mark Yacavone Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Miles From Nowhere Posts: 7,815 Likes: 2,903 Liked 5,121 Times in 1,952 Posts	Re: Broken Torque Converter Hold the T brake on or put it in manual 3rd and hold the foot brake, and flash the converter. If it goes up to near where it should be.. most likely not a converter issue. __________________ "We are lucky we don't get as much Government as we pay for." Will Rogers

05-25-2015, 02:39 PM	#6
Bob Gullett VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,106 Likes: 57 Liked 505 Times in 116 Posts	Re: Broken Torque Converter A few years ago when we had my wife's stocker we had the same issue. Started stumbling real bad. Changed everything but the MSD two step module. Took the one out of my car problem fixed. Put her's in my car same problem. Just a suggestion if you have one of these modules. __________________ 68 Chevy11 327 F/S