Re: [FWDLK] Used Torqueflite - Is it any good?

[jrawa@xxxxxxx]

without a full teardown to visually inspect all the bushings, sealing rings, clutches&steels, frt and rear pump impellers, etc... the only way is to install and try it... generally speaking- if the travel of the apply end of the band levers is just about 3/8" and there appears to be ample band lining- the wear factor can be determined to be low- if all there was in the pan was a little used fluid- and it appears to be simply drained and not "cleaned out"- with no metallic or clutch debris, we can only assume the clutches are probably ok.  turn the output shaft and converter carefully if installed, otherwise turn the input shaft [the small splined shaft] and feel for easy smooth movement. the stator support [big splined part into converter] is fixed- it doesn not turn, so dont try.  also carefully turn the pump drive- rides outside the stator support- it has 2 raised tangs that mesh with the converter pilot- that should move freely, but if theres a little fluid !
 may seem "bumpy" from the pump operating.

visuals arent always accurate- i've had t/f's that looked good but had torn clutch apply seals, spun bushings- which can "walk" and close off fluid passages to clutch applys... its a time gamble without a teardown- to just try it out... though... only 2 of about 11 i did lately wouldnt have worked if installed... the worst with a broken pump collar AND a torn intermediate clutch seal...


-----Original Message-----
From: John <spiers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tue, 7 Apr 2009 9:47 am
Subject: [FWDLK] Used Torqueflite - Is it any good?

Howdy folks -

I picked up a used Torqueflite, complete with torque converter, bell housing and parking brake, from a fella who once had a bunch of 300-D parts here in Florida, and this was the last mechanical item he had left.

The transmission, from the stamped numbers, is an Imperial unit.

>From the outside appearance, it looked as though as it has been rebuilt, it was THAT clean - someone had taken care to put a good coat of silver paint on it.  The torque converter looked like it just came out of the box.

I have zero mechanical experience with automatics, outside of adding a cooler, changing filter (when one's there) and changing fluid. I dropped the pan last night, and found a tiny bit of used fluid, no burnt smell, so the unit has been run.  The fluid was not quite pink, and slightly brownish.  No metal filings were visible.

The components visible were very bright and clean, and I moved a couple of 'em around by hand.  I didn't unbolt anything but the pan.

Here's my question:  Is there a way I can tell if this transmission is any good without actually installing it?  I have ordinary hand and air tools, no specialty transmission tools.

Thanks.

John Spiers

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