This 1964 A904 torque converter was running in the race car when we ran the transmission mostly out of fluid during a LeMons race last year. Is it likely that the converter is damaged on the inside? How can I check this?

We've already rebuilt the transmission it came out of, but we stole the converter out of my running parts car just to be sure. Now that I have time to do diagnostics, I'd like to verify whether this converter is good so I can get the parts car put back together again.

_________________
Somehow I ended up owning three 1964 slant six A-bodies. I race one of them.
Escape Velocity Racing

I would say if it was running at the end of the race, then it's most likely OK. Other than bolting it into a trans and driving it, or sending it to a converter shop for (possibly?) dyno testing, I can't think of another way to tell. This also assumes you did not blow broken clutch material through the trans that got past the filter.

Lou

_________________
Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

It was still moving under its own power at the end of the race. It took a few seconds to shift into gear and a lot of revs to crawl up the driveway, but I figure that had more to do with the low fluid level and worn out seals and clutches. Some of those clutches were almost metal to metal when we took it apart!

_________________
Somehow I ended up owning three 1964 slant six A-bodies. I race one of them.
Escape Velocity Racing

You would want to flush that convertor pretty well......

_________________
Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

That makes sense. I don't suppose there's a good way to do that in the garage? Or is that the kind of thing I should have done at a good transmission shop just to be sure? I don't recall offhand if this converter has a drain plug or not.

_________________
Somehow I ended up owning three 1964 slant six A-bodies. I race one of them.
Escape Velocity Racing

You could always create a drain plug with a drill and then tap it for 1/8" NPT and put a small pipe plug into it.


Greg

_________________
http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

Wouldn't one have to then rebalance the converter if one were to make a drain plug?

Possibly.

But if the Drain Plug you put in is equal to the amount of chips you drill out i would think not.


I have no experience doing this.. Just thinking of some helpful ways.

It would be best to ask a reputable local transmission shop about this before attempting.

_________________
http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

An aluminum pipe plug, from your local aircraft mechanic.

_________________
"Louise", a 1976 Dart Custom project, (now sadly reverted to being just an "organ donor" to our other project Darts.)

Back in the day, shops would do this with a small drill and put in a small, short self tapping screw, or tap the hole while the fluid is still running out to push the chips out, not anything as large as a 1/8' pipe plug. Low head on the screw and not much imbalance.

Or, just fill it several time with cheapo ATF, slosh it around, pour it out, and repeat.