[Doodle]

Just a curious question. Is there any way to flush or drain all the fluid from a converter? Nothing wrong with it, just doing some cleanup while the trans is out of the car. It's the stock converter on my Chevelle (70' Malibu TH350 trans).

 

[Guest]

I've not found any local shops that have converter flushing equipment. The Ron Sessions th350 book shows such a machine, but no luck finding one.

With my race converters, I have to have them cut apart for cleaning and inspection. This would be the same for a stock or modified converter. You can only dump so much out through the pump drive collar, and some will remain.

For a stock conveter, it would be easiest to go to any trans shop and simply get a rebuilt converter which should be pretty cheap.

Another option is to put the converter in a parts washer and spend some time running solvent through the converter to flush what you can, but it won't be 100% clean and if there's any wear, you won't know it because the only way to tell is to cut it apart.

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Malibumotorsports
79 Malibu, 414 ci BBC, 3550 lbs.
10.75 @ 125 mph, 1.49 60'

 

[70_chevelle]

First, remove the trans pan and replace the filter (you can skip this is you really want to) and fill the trans with a few quarts of fluid. Then remove the return line going in to the radiator and put a few feet of fuel line on it, then insert it into a bucket big enough to hold 7-10 quarts, fill up a few gallon jugs with trans fluid and have them ready. Have someone start the car and let it idle as you pour in your fresh trans fluid. Stop the engine, put the line back on and start it up then top off accordingly. Real simple but it can be a bit messy. This will also flush the radiator portion too.

Lee

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1970 ZZ502 Chevelle
1967 ZZ502 Camaro [email protected]
1997 Yukon 4x4 [email protected]

 

[BillK]

Doodle,
There are several trans shops in my area that have converter flushing machines. Keep asking around, there has to be a shop near you with one.

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Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md

1971 Heavy Chevy - original owner
Team Chevelle #100

 

[70_chevelle]

Geez I feel dumb! I didnt read the trans is out of the car, sorry.

Lee

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1970 ZZ502 Chevelle
1967 ZZ502 Camaro [email protected]
1997 Yukon 4x4 [email protected]

 

[Schurkey]

Just had this done for the trans in the boat.

Cost about $30 at my favorite local trans shop.

They drill and tap for a 1/8 pipe thread plug on the outside of the converter, flush with solvent, and check end play of the stator. I'm confident that any dreck inside the converter WILL BE REMOVED with this flushing method. It is more thourough than dropping a cooler tube and running clean fluid through the unit "on the car". If the end play of the stator measures good, I'd expect no problems with excessive wear, either. I'm not saying this is THE TOTAL ANSWER for a zillion horsepower race trans, but it is a totally acceptable procedure for anything street driven.

None of this is rocket science, although you wouldn't want the drill bit to hit any of the converter "guts".

[This message has been edited by Schurkey (edited 12-02-2001).]

 

[al carson]

nothing can flush everything from the converter unless the unit is cut apart. people with high mileage cars and trucks find this out when they take the vehicles to jiffy-lube or similar shops and pay an ungodly amount of money to have the trans flushed. all the ?jumk? will float into your trans and cause it to slip and slide and YES its time for a new one.

 

[junglejimmie]

I worked in a tranny shop for a while and was taught to drill a hole and flush with solvent thru the convertor's "neck" and when we finished the boss would MIG the hole closed.............

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"Laissez Le Bon Temp Rouler' Cha!"
1.79 60ft. 12.66 @ 106 (so far)
Chevytalk Moderator
70SS396 & 70 Malibu
My Car
"I don't drive FAST, I just FLY low!"

 

[Doodle]

Thanks everyone for the input. Believe it or not, I really didn't know there was such a thing as flushing a converter but it seemed logical. Sounds like if there is any doubt about a high milage converter (stock that is)it might be just as economical to spring for a new one. Once again, thanks for the info.

 

[Fred Ont canada]

I was told and it makes sence to me it is not nessasry to flush them as any thing in there is slung to the out side with such force that flushing wont move it.Kind of a centrifical filter system...FRED

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