Ballooning measurement

[Razor]

How can you tell the converter has ballooned without removing it.

Is there suppossed to be a clearance somewhere that can be measured to see if this is happening/happened.

Are there any tell tale signs to look for??

Maybe unbolt converter from flywheel and push back to check clearance?????What should this clearance be.

Would be nice if a tool was made that could be slid between the converter and the case,if it fits...ok.If tool doesnt fit...drop tranny and check converter.

What do you think?

Just trying to be informed after reading that ballooning thread

 

[WE4]

Man.....

I think 9 out of 10 people who "think" their converter has ballooned, hasn't. One guy years ago may have had problem and then he says something and then all think that is what happened to them. Fact is , with "quality converters" very few actually balloon. Cheaper ones might but still number is alot less than "people" would lead you to believe.
Just my 2 cents...

 

[MeanBuicks]

Originally posted by Razor
Maybe unbolt converter from flywheel and push back to check clearance?????What should this clearance be.

1/8" to 3/16" between the flexplate mounting surface and the converter mounting pads.

 

[Razor]

1/8" to 3/16" between the flexplate mounting surface and the converter mounting pads.

Thanks.

Julio

BTW, how are D5's as far as ballooning?

 

[Alky V6]

You would need a base measurement of your converter first to be able to judge if the converter has ballooned at any future point in time. Converters will vary, so the measurement from one will not tell you if anything is going on with another. The way you measure the height of the converter is from the end of the pilot of the converter on the crankshaft side to the end of the converter hub on the other side. Take note of this measurement when the converter is brand new. As a converter balloons, internal clearances open up and will affect the efficiency of the T/C. Stall can also noticably change on you. If your bracket racing and consistency is important, you can see how you wouldn't want the T/C to start ballooning on you. After all said, I'm with Bruce. I don't think ballooning is as big a problem as most people think especially at the rpms most TRs are turning. Another way to track ballooning would be to measure the internal endplay of the converter, but you wouldn't know if any increase in this number was due to ballooning or a problem with an internal thrust washer.

 

[Razor]

Thanks Don,

Just looking for an easier way without pulling the converter.

Its the 1.60 60 foots that worry me about ballooning the stock D5

And any ballooning would alter the clearance between the top of the converter and the pump cover.So a measurement at that point would give an indication.

Since the antiballooning plates are welded at the top of the converter on a race converter application.A balloned converter would also press against the pump on the tranny and cuase problems there too.

Gotta keep an eye on fluids and shift patterns.Any irregularity start checking

 

[WE4]

Just for comparison

I beat mine up daily. It will 60' 1.66 and run low 12's. It has been in the car for 92,000 miles and will stall an honest 2900. I am probobly harder on it than most too.( Imagine that) So if after 92,000 miles and WE4 blasts daily it hasn't ballooned, I think you are ok...... and.... I have only seen one D-5 balloon and it was trans braked to death. Treat it right , it will treat you right.

 

[Alky V6]

The Bruce!

 

[Clay Thompson]

Fear of ballons

The dreaded fear of ballons has struck TB--use your virus checking software at once! What psychosomatic fear will strike next? Stay tuned!

 

[Razor]

99 red balloons

Ok,Ill try and kill it next teusday at the track

Wish me luck