Transmission / Overdrive: Torque Converter Rebuild

[Mridgway]

I am looking for a torque converter rebuilder in my general area (30 miles east of Louisville,KY.) My best lead, in Shepherdsville said they don't do stuff that old (1956 Flightomatic). Florida Torque Converter in Cape Corol was suggested as a possible source, but shipping might be as much as the rebuild. All help appreciated.
Marshall

[StudeRich]

You will likely have to "Bite the Bullet' and Ship your Converter, it MAY not be an outrageous amount.

Most Transmission Shops have to do the same, as re-builder's are Not in Every small town.

On the West Coast, we have Superior:

https://www.superiortorqueconverter.com/contact/

[doofus]

Here in Arkansas we have Target Converters. right next door almost, in North Little Rock. watched them rebuild mine , interesting process. made a great tech article. Luck Doofus

[JoeHall]

How do you know when your TC needs rebuild? What is done in the rebuild process? Thanks

[Mridgway]

Joe, My converter is noisy. It sounds like it has loose BBs in it. There is no performance issue. At this point I don't know what else to do but R&R.

[Mridgway]

Gerald, in post Blogs you said that in your area there is Target Converters that you have used. What is their phone# ? I had no sucess at finding them on line.
Thanks,Marshall

[StudeRich]

Here they are, looks like a Really Good Co.

http://www.targettorqueconverter.com/
What I don't get is; Target has a Great sounding Home Page, but when you click on "Automotive Torque Converters", you get redirected to "Precision" in New Hampton, Iowa!


UPDATE: Their Phone Number: 800 654 1220 is shown on BOTH Target AND Precision's Webpage, so I guess One Bought the Other!

Did I ever mention that I REALLY Dislike Deception! . Just tell it like it IS!

[StudeRich]

Joe, the process is very simple, but does take very Precision Equipment to do it right.

They have to be torched Open in 2 half's to excess the internal Turbines, the forward one is Engine driven and the rearward one drives the Front Pump and Input Shaft from Fluid flow between them. So any badly worn Parts (very few) would need to be replaced, the Case re-welded and re-balanced.

Usually, the front Pump Drive HUB needs replacing, by Machining a New one and centering and welding it in.

One of the biggest Transmission Killers in addition to Heat, is Contamination, so basically, the main goal is to thoroughly CLEAN them internally, because many Transmissions that are being rebuilt have worn Clutch, Band, and Metal Bushing material wear that has contaminated the complete Trans. and Converter.

In all the Studes. I have had, I have never found one in normal use that failed in ANY way. But they Could, when misused and or driven too long after other Transmission wear or failures. I have never even HEARD of one that would not work.

The most common part that needs to be replaced is, the Starter Ring Gear which Most rebuilder's will not have, so customers may need to supply one from a Studebaker Vendor to complete a good rebuild. These are welded on.

[doofus]

Guy's the Co i used did everything by hand! i will check into the Target co i used some years back. they only worked for local auto trans rebuilders but the boss liked the Stude i showed up in, 62 Daytona hardtop. my tale of woe about wifes car, 57 Silver Hawk, being out of commision with bad converter helped me get my foot in the door. cash in hand and pizza for all was helpful! a bad stator clutch bearing ( Rebuildable) was culprit. the converter was spotless inside, no idea where the metal filings went. a magnet on the trans pan never showed anything abnormal! still going strong behind R-1 clone engine. i'll check them out today. Luck Doofus

[5brown1]

Precision repaired my Golden Hawk TQ that had a broken sprag. They installed the stator backwards. So I had to tear everything apart again and send it back with no compensation for time spent. It does work now. If you send it to them might want to mention that.

[Mridgway]

Steve, I am going to call Precision later today. Thanks for the heads up on the backwards stator. It's way too much work to pull the TC once, much less twice!
Marshall

[RadioRoy]

. They installed the stator backwards. .

How did you figure that out? It must have been difficult. At least it would be for me.

[doofus]

Checked on Target Converters yesterday, Gone! whole neighborhood changed! now i am stuct with a noisy stator clutch! will check with local trans rebuilder, they used to rebuild their own. wish me luck! Doofus

[StudeRich]

I think you need to Contact Precision and explain your situation.
THEY Advertise Target Converters, so must have something to do with it. They have Distributors everywhere!

[5brown1]

How did you figure that out? It must have been difficult. At least it would be for me.

The transmission would not install completely. It was about 1/8 of an inch from being able to contact the bell housing. A transmission friend who came to help me solve the problem couldn't get in in either and then noticed strange marks on the shaft. He then figured out what the problem was.

[Warren Webb]

where ever you choose make sure you get the same converter back, at least the same code. The code is stamped on the converter itself. I know the Avanti converters have a separate code due to the higher stall speed but say an AMC converter may work or may not even though it's the same basic transmission.