Re: Torque Converter Removal

Posted by Ross On 2019/12/1 7:53:42

No, you will definitely feel something even on the best of them. Because these are relatively high stall convertors there is a goodly difference in speed that is taken up when the direct clutch engages. Think of the feel of a torqueflight shifting into third. And usually even on very worn and weak Ultras you will feel the shift when the unit is cold.

Different fluids make only trivial differences.

I have never in dozens of units seen a direct disc worn out but I have surely seen them hard as glass with a coefficient of friction that is probably more like teflon than a clutch material. You must be able to indent the surface with your fingernail.

Yours is a '55? Look down into the reactor shaft with a flashlight. There is a bronze bushing near the bottom; it must not have grooves in it--that is 56 only. Also check the fit of the reactor shaft in the bushing at the end of the convertor stub shaft. Factory clearance is .003" but if your car has had alignment issues I have seen them with .030" clearance and there is no chance of your direct fluid making its way to the clutch.