Basic Torque Converter Auto Box Explanation

[OrangeBob55]

In case this is of interest to anybody else, I have recently found a good, basic explanation of how a Torque Converter Auto Box works. Aimed at those with no prior engineering knowledge of auto boxes (just like me!).

http://peugeot.mainspot.net/tips/torque_converter....

(on a Peugeot site, but the piece is generic)

Thought I would post this here, as I found it interesting, and thought others might too.

[eliot]

Easy way to visualise how a torque convertor works:

Get two desk fans and put them facing one another, swich ONE fan on - the other one will to spin round too.

Stick in a box, fill with oil, one torque convertor.

[hal 1]

eliot said:

Easy way to visualise how a torque convertor works:

Get two desk fans and put them facing one another, swich ONE fan on - the other one will to spin round too.

Stick in a box, fill with oil, one torque convertor.

I wish I'd known that last month before i spent my savings on a new one

[Martin Keene]

Interesting. So what happens to a torque convert when it starts to fail and starts making a whining noise?

I ask because the father-in-law has a 1970's Ferrari 400 with a whining torque converter and I'm not looking forward to the day when (if) he decides to have a go at fixing it.

[eliot]

Martin Keene said:

Interesting. So what happens to a torque convert when it starts to fail and starts making a whining noise?

I ask because the father-in-law has a 1970's Ferrari 400 with a whining torque converter and I'm not looking forward to the day when (if) he decides to have a go at fixing it.

You may find that it's a yank auto, which means parts are cheap as chips.

[GavinPearson]

Martin Keene said:

Interesting. So what happens to a torque convert when it starts to fail and starts making a whining noise?

I ask because the father-in-law has a 1970's Ferrari 400 with a whining torque converter and I'm not looking forward to the day when (if) he decides to have a go at fixing it.

It's a 3 speed GM unit so it will be very cheap to replace, in the meantime the noise could just be as a result of an incorrectly set oil level.

I would just change the oil and filter (and I think the filter should be the same as an 80s 3 speed Jag V12's) and the problem should just go away.

[Martin Keene]

Interesting. I'll mention it next time I see him.

He'll no doubt add it to the long list of jobs, including (attempting) to restore an Austin Shearline and new rear dampers on the back of a 1986 Bentley Mulsanne.

[jamieheasman]

Yep, Ferrari 400 used GM TH400 transmission which is used on a lot of vehicles. Cheap to buy used and could be upgraded to a later electronic version with a bit of tinkering.