torque converter - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**tjc** · 04-29-2017, 10:23 AM

I am about ready to hook the trans and motor together, should I pour trans fluid directly into the converter before I bolt to flywheel. This is a newly rebuilt trans and motor and probably will not run for another 5 months.

**kwmech** · 04-29-2017, 01:10 PM

Dump at least a quart into it.

kaycee · 04-29-2017, 09:20 PM

Yes never run them dry

homemade87 · 04-30-2017, 06:28 AM

All you are tying to achieve is to get the bearing wet .You don't have to fill the converter . Bearings don't like to spin while there dry . The trans will pump fluid pretty quick but until then the bearings can possibly get a little damage to them if there dry .

**Ironangel** · 05-01-2017, 01:30 AM

All of the above!

*YoungPup1977* · 05-01-2017, 11:13 PM

Does anyone think the folks who make TC's put any lube on the internal parts for start up damage prevention ? Would anyone fire up a rebuilt engine without pre-lubing the bearings ? Oh thats right, every one can build an engine.... I often wondered how they balanced TC's...would anyone think they add fluid to this process ? Just wondering....

homemade87 · 05-02-2017, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YoungPup1977

Does anyone think the folks who make TC's put any lube on the internal parts for start up damage prevention ? Would anyone fire up a rebuilt engine without pre-lubing the bearings ? Oh thats right, every one can build an engine.... I often wondered how they balanced TC's...would anyone think they add fluid to this process ? Just wondering....

From what I seen is they assembly them dry ( I am sure the bearing has something on it but no fluid in it ) . Also they don't balance t/c like you would think . After assembly they set them on a flat plate with the pilot to center them up and spin them . This balance machine is built specific for t/c . No need to add fluid in this process .

clinebarger · 05-02-2017, 08:14 PM

I never pour ATF into a converter.......I see this thread turning nasty

*YoungPup1977* · 05-02-2017, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homemade87

From what I seen is they assembly them dry ( I am sure the bearing has something on it but no fluid in it ) . Also they don't balance t/c like you would think . After assembly they set them on a flat plate with the pilot to center them up and spin them . This balance machine is built specific for t/c . No need to add fluid in this process .

Thanks for clarifying the balancing process of the TC without ATF....so thats why the TC's are so dry when we get them...and is that why folks put ATF in them before they install them ? The "bearing" inside the TC, is it called a torrington bearing ? Do they need to be "Lubed" before start up ? If not, they will be damaged ?

kenn · 05-06-2017, 03:58 PM

I have been debating removing my trany because I couldn't remember if I put fluid into the converter when I installed it, now I wont have to. Thanks for the info. K.E.N.

*YoungPup1977* · 05-07-2017, 10:41 PM

I am one of those guys who does not put ATF in my converter....been doing this since cast iron power glides....never had a comeback because I did not put ATF in the TC...but again, if you want to put ATF in YOUR converter, go for it...Have you ever got a new TC and it has a warning sticker on the TC..."FILL WITH ATF BEFORE INSTALLATION" ? How about that 40 year warranty you get with the TC...does it say to put ATF in the TC ?

04-29-2017, 10:23 AM	#1
tjc Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: burlington,iowa Posts: 437	torque converter I am about ready to hook the trans and motor together, should I pour trans fluid directly into the converter before I bolt to flywheel. This is a newly rebuilt trans and motor and probably will not run for another 5 months. __________________ Tom in Iowa 68 L88 C10 68 4x4 C10 soon

04-29-2017, 01:10 PM	#2
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,389	Re: torque converter Dump at least a quart into it.

04-29-2017, 09:20 PM	#3
kaycee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Wyoming USA Posts: 2,445	Re: torque converter Yes never run them dry __________________ 2001 Silverado K-1500 2005 FXDWG stage3 69 CHEVY Short/Step 327/4L60 373 posi 63 IMPALA 327

04-30-2017, 06:28 AM	#4
homemade87 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Guntersville Alabama Posts: 1,073	Re: torque converter All you are tying to achieve is to get the bearing wet .You don't have to fill the converter . Bearings don't like to spin while there dry . The trans will pump fluid pretty quick but until then the bearings can possibly get a little damage to them if there dry .

05-01-2017, 01:30 AM	#5
Ironangel Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Falls City, Nebraska "100 Miles From Nowhere" Posts: 2,219	Re: torque converter All of the above! __________________ Michael of the clan Hill, "Two Seventy Two's" 71 1-ton Dually 350 4-Speed 71 C/50 Grain Truck, 350 Split-Axle 4-Speed 02 3/4 ton Express 14 Indian Chief Vintage 1952 Ford 8N, "Only Ford Allowed On The Property" "Be American, Buy American"

05-01-2017, 11:13 PM	#6
YoungPup1977 Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: No longer here Posts: 1,000	Re: torque converter Does anyone think the folks who make TC's put any lube on the internal parts for start up damage prevention ? Would anyone fire up a rebuilt engine without pre-lubing the bearings ? Oh thats right, every one can build an engine.... I often wondered how they balanced TC's...would anyone think they add fluid to this process ? Just wondering.... Last edited by YoungPup1977; 05-01-2017 at 11:21 PM.

05-02-2017, 08:14 PM	#8
clinebarger Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 6,370	Re: torque converter I never pour ATF into a converter.......I see this thread turning nasty

05-06-2017, 03:58 PM	#10
kenn Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: CT. Posts: 260	Re: torque converter I have been debating removing my trany because I couldn't remember if I put fluid into the converter when I installed it, now I wont have to. Thanks for the info. K.E.N.

05-07-2017, 10:41 PM	#11
YoungPup1977 Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: No longer here Posts: 1,000	Re: torque converter I am one of those guys who does not put ATF in my converter....been doing this since cast iron power glides....never had a comeback because I did not put ATF in the TC...but again, if you want to put ATF in YOUR converter, go for it...Have you ever got a new TC and it has a warning sticker on the TC..."FILL WITH ATF BEFORE INSTALLATION" ? How about that 40 year warranty you get with the TC...does it say to put ATF in the TC ?



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