Re: Ultramatic Clutch Disc and Linkage questions

Posted by fred kanter On 2010/11/18 1:13:33

Bravo for doing the Ul-Traumatic by yourself, it's not rocket science. UM's are very sensitive to pressure loss and we include all the bushings in our kits which is NOT the transmission industry standard. We do this so restorers can "Do it once and do it right", if you know what I mean. No need to measure the bushings, you own them with the kit and they're simple to install.

When you said the drain holes in the converter were clogged I knew most or all of the friction linings were toast. Just like the 6 high range friction discs which were cork faced, the direct drive clutch was cork/rubber faced. The smooth shifting of the UM has nothing to do with the "softness" of the material, it is barely compressible. It is due to the well engineered valving, E Grand Blvd knew what they were doing.

We use modern "paper" friction materials on all UM clutches, bands and DD plates as this material is engineered for modern trans which operate at higher temperatures and higher horsepower. Your clutches "burned" due to hardening and loss of friction qualities, then the trans self destructs. The modern materials do not harden and have higher coefficients of friction.

Likewise the front, rear, throttle shaft and selector shaft seals are modern materials. I'd never use a NOS seal, in 50 years they often harden. Our gaskets are up to date and fresh stock.

MOST IMPORTANT IS TO USE THE FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL AND FOLLOW ALL TORQUE PROCEDURES AND SPECS. BE EXTRA CAREFUL WHEN ALIGNING THE CONVERTER TO THE FLYWHEEL AND TIGHTENING THE 4 NUTS. TIGHTEN GRADUALLY GOING AROUND AND AROUND UNTIL SPECS ARE MET OR FOLLOW THE MANUAL, I FORGET WHAT IT TELLS YOU. A MISALIGNED CONVERTER WILL EAT UP THE FRONT BUSHING AND FRONT SEAL.

HAPPY, SMOOTH MOTORING

Fred Kanter
Kanter Auto Products
Boonton NJ

PS Putting a NOS DD clutch in is fine, it will outlast you and your children most likely