Broken Torque Converter

[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.

[jmantle]

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]

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]

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]

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[ss wannabee]

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

[Dwight Southerland]

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]

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]

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

[Sean Marconette]

Originally Posted by Greg Gay

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.

Greg,
Loose is fast, but also on the edge of sliding it too much and glazing the disc. That requires disassembly and knocking the glaze off the disc. Adjusting a clutch with the right bellhousing can be accomplished in less than 10 min. It takes longer to get the car in the air. You also do not have to adjust the clutch that often, in my experience. I have over 200 passes on my clutch and have yet to have it serviced. Every off season I pull it and check everything and bead blast the discs to clean it. It is then that the discs and pressure plate are checked for how much material has been lost on the disc, and the pressure plate is shimmed to accommodate the disc wear, if needed. There is a little bit more to this but that kind of narrows it down.

Sean