Torque Convertor Technologies
Well now.
In line with my latest post 'Out of warranty by six weeks' I have the following to report.
The secondhand automatic failed after 4.5 months, warranty was 3 months.
The transmission failed probably because of an overheating problem, the head gasket is currently being replaced.
My initial transmission had had a very hard life if the wear on the tow hitch and pin are an indication.
The TC clutch gave up and sent particles through the box, finances at the time meant fix as cheaply as I could but, I spent the money on an upgraded torque convertor from Torque Convertor Technologies in Melbourne, V8 larger clutch and lower stall speed that I have described elsewhere.
I have had ongoing over heating problems for some time and it has all come to a head (no pun intended) now, in view of the overheating and my attempts to overcome it I was still driving the car with the engine fan OFF as I was in the middle of trying to fabricate a frame to suit electric fans. Wrong wrong wrong, but I did and that probably had a bearing on the failure so soon.
Now TRS did look after me but there was a problem getting the torque convertor off the crank shaft extension, they had had trouble fitting it in the first place now they had to end up cutting the extension in half to get it off. Because of this they could not refit it, besides they didn't want to I think. They claimed that the TC was part of the problem.
Now, in my mind this is where dealing with a local company comes into it's own.
As strangy has reported to me.
"The original had a spigot with a very large chamfer to locate then an under cut following the location surface. (think exaggerated mushroom shape)
My TCT unit had the chamfer but no undercut which effectively created a larger locating surface area over the length of the spigot.
The undercut on the original gave less surface area to the spigot and allowed the torque converter a little extra angular movement when fitting.
This hasn't posed any issues for me and I did have to remove the box after I fitted it all up because I needed to fab custom oil cooler lines.
No probs removing or refitting. Though I think the TCT converter spigot requires more accuracy/care when lining up the box.
I would be very doubtful and surprised if the TCT converter was the cause of box failure. unless it came apart internally its a big call.
Reading your posts on this, I cant help wonder if the TRS guys were in a hurry.
IMO if the spigot locating hole wasn't thoroughly cleaned and lubed, combined with a longer spigot surface area and not quite optimum alignment when refitting, then the spigot could be damaged/burred and the problem could occur.
As a Fitter/Machinist in a previous era, I can only see the above as reason for the TC to be stuck, assuming spigot measurements were checked."
Now, everything said in the communique seems to be spot on, the new convertor is better made and ever so slightly different, but, it was fitted dry and slightly misaligned.
I have just been over to Melbourne with my TC and TCT have shown me the problem and, incorrect/poor fitting of an unknown better product was the problem. TCT have even taken back my TC to flush it out of the contaminated oil and you can't do that from overseas.
You can't beat that.
Overheating is what caused the 2hnd transmission to fail, nothing else.
I have nothing but praise for Torque Convertor Technologies, their service and knowledge is first class.
I was also able to observe some of their procedures, brazing the vanes in place and their quality seems up there with any.
Thanks again TCT.
Cheers
Mike :D
