2 Piece Torque Converters

[fabr]

When I got out of drag racing the 2 piece converters were just becoming a thing.  I had about 8 one piece 7" and 8"laying around. Therefore I had never had one apart. When I was beginning to torque the nuts on the converter to flexplate studs the second one just about felll out on its own.  Anyway it's a billet 2 piece and I had to find a way to fix this. Soooo,out came the 30 perimeter cap screws and off came the cover. That is when the reality sank in and I am serious when I say the innards of a converter are literally the simplest part on a car.3 pieces and 2 torrington bearings.I will set the billet front cover on the bridgeport,use the digital read out to locate the 6 holes to drill/tap and that perceived disaster will be cured. Now I need to find a shop that can properly cut off and replace(weld)the starter ring gear on the converter. I'll post some pics tomorrow .

I also decided that time is running short to get the new engine tuned before LS in what,a month? So,I'm going to bolt in the 360 again and have fun.After LS I'll have about 3 months to get the new engine tuned/proved before Idaho.

[dsrace]

This sucks <a href="http://www.animateit. and its just one of 5hos3 moment where all one can say is well f&@k 

I have seen the insides of one tq converter ever. It was a stock one that someone split just because. I truly didn't know what I was looking at in detail but ill never forget it made me wonder if the same engineer designed clothes dryers 

I know the new motor will be great for sure but I still think your 360 runs damn good!

[dsrace]

https://youtube.com/shorts/YcBmKmiALK0?si=dCw9gpKGPmYrSgLd

[fabr]

This has gone from bad to worse.  I have found that TCS closed up due to owner dying unexpectedly of cancer . His family operated it just long enough to pay off some debt and closed it down leaving anyone with a Fortin transaxle running a converter  up shit creek.  Fortin wanted to buy the remaining inventory of components for their exclusive converter but that fell through.   A lot of inventory apparently just disappeared.  The converter can still be serviced by a couple shops but the starter ring gear is a custom unit made by Meziere. There is absolutely no one else making them.   I can damn sure suggest a couple improvements!   Coan has only 2 of them.  There is another possible shop that may have some . I sent the converter to Coan this morning and they said they should likely be able to send it back end of week.   I'm going to try to buy the extra ring gear from them so I will have on hand a spare just in case.   I think I got the scoop from Fortin what is going to be done to keep these converters available and serviced.  Apparently some big guns as well as Doug Fortin himself are pushing hard as they are screwed as well.   I thought the converter driven stuff was about done for but apparently there are a lot still being used.   Long story short , I should be back together with about a week to spare before LS. If all goes as planned.

[dsrace]

Bad news and good news or hopefully will be good news. The guys family must not have learned any of the business to dump itnlike that. Or maybe they that was harder then they wanted to work. I hope doug fortin sets something up and I like the idea of a tq converter myself.

If the tq converter was all done, can you put a clutch in the trans? I would assume so but not sure if that requires a new bell housing or what not.  A lot 9f companies have gone under since covid and there are a lot of specialty companies locally where people retired and no one wanted to keep the business going.

[fabr]

All this converter needs is the ring gear. It was perfect inside. The custom size ring gear is/was the issue. Coan didn't want to send me the ring gear as it welds to the converter case. I hope they will sell me the last one they will have so I can be guaranteed that when I need it I will have it. I can do the welding of course. I had considered the resulting imbalance that might occur welding on the new one. Then I got to thinking in real terms. With all the teeth that were in varying degree of missing the imbalance would have to be much greater than whatever imbalance welding on a new ring gear would be. In a pinch I would not hesitate to not rebalance. Will be interesting to see if there is evidence of rebalancing when I get it back from Coan. There were no signs of it having ever been balancedand it has had the ring gear replaced 3 times now. Twice at TCS.

Yes,the Fortin can be returned to clutch configuration but it takes $$$$$ and some fab work on car to do so. There is just a 1" spacer needed between bellhousing and engine for the converter to fit but the trans will need torn down to put in a conventional $$$input shaft. plus needing a clutch pedal /flywheel/clutch.

Worst part is I LIKE the converter car! Oh well,I'll collect some spare parts and not have to worry about not being available later.  On that note I was wasting time and looked to see what a spare Meziere starter for this thing costs now. $700+ from Meziere but can be found for $650 from a few places. I found a new on on fleabay for $500. I snatched that puppy up! Just a spare drive is approx $250(I have an extra on the shelf).  One thing about it is Meziere made the drive teeth a hell of a lot tougher than the ring gear teeth!! From what I can see the drive has no wear but about 1/2 of the ring gear teeth are about 1/2 gone. I'm going to call Meziere and inquire about this.The first ring gear that went bad tore the shit out of the drive as well. Something doesn't add up here.

[dsrace]

I hope you get the spare parts. Actually I hope fortin finds another company to source from. I like the tq converter too. I like the entire build myself. Its a shame no one wanted to take the reins and keep the company alive. This is happening all over unfortunately 

[fabr]

Fortin seems to think ATI will take on the supply IF the volume is there. Personally,I wish Fortin had been able to bring it in house and been able to control the supply.