Re: Ultramatic Rebuild for a '51

Posted by Larry51 On 2015/10/7 6:28:10

Thanks to all for the very useful hints etc..
I spent a few hours today looking through Service Counsellors to get an idea of what I'm facing. It doesn't look too daunting and I won't be in a hurry so can do a careful job on it. I have a press and a friend can turn some bush-pushers to the right diameter.
Noted was the dial gauge method of measuring reactor shaft end play as suggested by Ross. I think I can rig up a means of checking - and I think you were suggesting that I check existing play before I dismantle the converter?
John - I will add progress updates to my blog when I get started on Ultra work.
Troy - yes - I would appreciate measurements please, and I'll PM you for a price when I need bands. The ones I have don't show any grooves so must be well worn.
Yes, Ross: thanks for the wisdom regarding not 'fixing that which ain't broke'! However I want to rebuild my spare Ultra because getting an Ultra out and back into the car isn't too easy to do without a hoist. The experts will get my dollars for that difficult job. Once was enough. So I want to make sure whatever I put into the coupe is 100% ok and will last years. Plus fixing the one in the car will mean having it off the road for quite a long while as I get parts sent over.
The Ultra I'm driving with was sitting around on garage floors since mid-1970's so I don't know how much I can trust it. Surely friction materials would have hardened over that long period?? It's now done over 1000 miles without problems other than holding in DD until crawling speed - plus the leaks - so I feel good about that. Will be interesting to see what the insides look like when dismantle that 'worker'!

Thanks Ross for hints about tolerances. There is a lot said in the documentation about losing pressure through worn bushings etc. Current Ultra seems to do almost everything very well so I think it must have had an easy life.