Broken Torque Converter

Eric Merryfield · 06-01-2015, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg Gay

Mark,

The engine in the car is a 400 Chrysler. For the last 15 years, I ran the car (80 Dodge Mirada) with a 318 engine. But now, I have the 400 in it. Just to see if the carb was the problem, I put the 318 carb (small T-Quad) on the 400 for one run, but the car acted similar, only slower. I apologize for not making that clear.

Thanks,

Greg

P.S. The torque converter currently in the car is old. Came with the car. I would say it is 20 years old, but has been setting for 15 years. The trans is a brand new Pro Trans. Less than 30 runs.

Could you put a stick in it Greg? No more convertor drama.....Might want to keep that protrans for the Superbee,or is it a road runner, I get them confused. Eric

Greg Gay · 06-01-2015, 09:58 PM

O.K., it finally sunk into my tiny pea brain this morning that while the stator is in the torque converter, the stator SUPPORT is in the transmission. Therefore, it is conceivable that the change of converter possibly wouldn't fix the problem. I do now have a new converter ordered. What is involved in changing the stator support? If it is broken, will I see it?

Eric, I'd love to drive a stick car. I just don't know that I want to MAINTAIN one. The Stocker is a Super Bee. The bracket car is a Road Runner, but I don't think you've seen that.

jmantle · 06-02-2015, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg Gay

O.K., it finally sunk into my tiny pea brain this morning that while the stator is in the torque converter, the stator SUPPORT is in the transmission. Therefore, it is conceivable that the change of converter possibly wouldn't fix the problem. I do now have a new converter ordered. What is involved in changing the stator support? If it is broken, will I see it?

Eric, I'd love to drive a stick car. I just don't know that I want to MAINTAIN one. The Stocker is a Super Bee. The bracket car is a Road Runner, but I don't think you've seen that.

If the stator support is not obviously broken, try turning it with a big pair of channellock pliers. If it won' turn, it's not broken. Assuming you have a 727 in the car, I've never seen a 727 stator support break or spin out.

Jim Mantle V/SA 6632

Rod Greene · 06-02-2015, 01:26 PM

Eric, I'd love to drive a stick car. I just don't know that I want to MAINTAIN one.

The myth of a stick car is just that. With the modern clutches and trans maintenance is minimal. I see more guys covered in auto trans fluid cussing their convertors or sprags than any stick shift guy. But with the herd mentality most guys run autos.

Greg Gay · 06-02-2015, 08:41 PM

It's even worse than that, Rod. I have an electric shifter!

Seriously, I would like to drive a stick. Even though the transmissions are much more reliable, due to the fact that you set the clutches up so softly today, I thought the slippage required continual adjustment. I will say "Someday, maybe."

Peter Ash · 06-02-2015, 08:52 PM

deleted

ss wannabee · 06-03-2015, 07:19 AM

Greg...were you trying to make E-town for class? Can you switch to the Stocker until the Mirada is ironed out?

Dwight Southerland · 06-03-2015, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg Gay

Seriously, I would like to drive a stick. Even though the transmissions are much more reliable, due to the fact that you set the clutches up so softly today, I thought the slippage required continual adjustment. I will say "Someday, maybe."

If you want to run on kill, that fine line of pre-slippage is what everybody talks about. However, if you want to go rounds, you do not have to run it there. There is less than .05 difference between the "kill" setting and the soft setting that allows you to go 5-7 rounds consistently without having to readjust. Material of the discs makes a difference, too. Buy from knowledgeable vendors who will help and keep a good log book.

Greg Gay · 06-07-2015, 07:52 PM

The converter was the problem. ATI supplied me with a new converter. I had to fly it in to get it for Friday. Still, from faxing in an order on Sunday to them shipping it on Thursday seemed like pretty fast service. And they were swamped with business. I think being a Classracer helped.

Next question: Is the broken converter worth keeping for any reason, or should I just throw it in the scrap iron? It isn't really correct for my current applications, but you never know. Or is it better to just start from scratch once one is broken?

Clutch question: So, is "fast" set up tighter or looser than "bracket mode". If you have to adjust it every 5 to 7 runs, how long will it last? Most of this is just for curiosity.

MR DERBY CITY · 06-07-2015, 08:38 PM

Hey Teddy yacavone, it was the converter after all..IMAGINE THAT....LOL....M.J.

06-01-2015, 09:58 PM	#2
Greg Gay Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 385 Likes: 21 Liked 283 Times in 70 Posts	Re: Broken Torque Converter O.K., it finally sunk into my tiny pea brain this morning that while the stator is in the torque converter, the stator SUPPORT is in the transmission. Therefore, it is conceivable that the change of converter possibly wouldn't fix the problem. I do now have a new converter ordered. What is involved in changing the stator support? If it is broken, will I see it? Eric, I'd love to drive a stick car. I just don't know that I want to MAINTAIN one. The Stocker is a Super Bee. The bracket car is a Road Runner, but I don't think you've seen that.

06-02-2015, 01:26 PM	#4
Rod Greene Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: TN Posts: 530 Likes: 417 Liked 242 Times in 81 Posts	Re: Broken Torque Converter Eric, I'd love to drive a stick car. I just don't know that I want to MAINTAIN one. The myth of a stick car is just that. With the modern clutches and trans maintenance is minimal. I see more guys covered in auto trans fluid cussing their convertors or sprags than any stick shift guy. But with the herd mentality most guys run autos. __________________ Rod Greene Real men shift for them selves. Slowly working on TA Challenger for D,E/S and a 72 Challenger for SS/K, L as if I don't have enough other projects.

06-02-2015, 08:41 PM	#5
Greg Gay Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 385 Likes: 21 Liked 283 Times in 70 Posts	Re: Broken Torque Converter It's even worse than that, Rod. I have an electric shifter! Seriously, I would like to drive a stick. Even though the transmissions are much more reliable, due to the fact that you set the clutches up so softly today, I thought the slippage required continual adjustment. I will say "Someday, maybe."

06-02-2015, 08:52 PM	#6
Peter Ash Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 262 Likes: 2 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Broken Torque Converter deleted __________________ Peter Ash 6100 STK Last edited by Peter Ash; 06-03-2015 at 07:21 PM. Reason: D A

06-03-2015, 07:19 AM	#7
ss wannabee Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 663 Likes: 0 Liked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Broken Torque Converter Greg...were you trying to make E-town for class? Can you switch to the Stocker until the Mirada is ironed out?

06-07-2015, 07:52 PM	#9
Greg Gay Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 385 Likes: 21 Liked 283 Times in 70 Posts	Re: Broken Torque Converter The converter was the problem. ATI supplied me with a new converter. I had to fly it in to get it for Friday. Still, from faxing in an order on Sunday to them shipping it on Thursday seemed like pretty fast service. And they were swamped with business. I think being a Classracer helped. Next question: Is the broken converter worth keeping for any reason, or should I just throw it in the scrap iron? It isn't really correct for my current applications, but you never know. Or is it better to just start from scratch once one is broken? Clutch question: So, is "fast" set up tighter or looser than "bracket mode". If you have to adjust it every 5 to 7 runs, how long will it last? Most of this is just for curiosity.

06-07-2015, 08:38 PM	#10
MR DERBY CITY VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Derby City, USA Posts: 3,630 Likes: 1,080 Liked 7,897 Times in 1,511 Posts	Re: Broken Torque Converter Hey Teddy yacavone, it was the converter after all..IMAGINE THAT....LOL....M.J.