1961 buick torque converter
 

hay guys im workin on a 61 buick lesabre, with a 364 nailhead and what i believe is a 3 speed hydramatic.

the problem is that on the ring gear around the torque converter, where the starter contacts with, are all chewed up. (no i didnt knaw on them!)

it looks like if i flipped it around, i would have proper starting, until the teeth started wearing out again.

but... i cant seem to get the torque converter out of the trans!

is there a special way to pull it?

thanks for all your help!

torque converter...
 

HI,not sure about a Buick,but if you push it in,and turn it to the left,it MIGHT come out.

done tried that, didnt work....almost like its retained with a c-clip or somethin
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I'm looking in my 55-63 chiltons manual, and it says the stock transmission for a 61 LeSabre is a Dynaflow. Does the TC have bolts holding the case together? In my book it says that you have to disassemble the TC on the trans to get it apart.
I've never taken one of those critters apart, so I have no clue.

Later, mikey

yes! the TC does have bolts that surround the TC, ill take them off and hope that works...

ive never messed with this either, so i thought i get some insight before i taking apart stuff!

thanks mike!
ill post again after i work on it

From what I gathered from reading the text of the manual, (without having the trans to look at), there are a snap rings and planetary gearsets and springloaded clutch packs in the TC...almost like half of the stuff that resides inside a normal transmission is in the Buick TC... :smash:

If you are close to Gilroy, you are welcome to come borrow this book.



Later, mikey

i was able to get one of my old tymer friends on the phone, he said if i unbolt the TC cover, i will be able to get to 3 snap rings that are inside the torque converter, however. if i pull the cover off, i can flip the ring gear for the starter. watch out for the o-ring that seals the TC, if its good, put it back together and be done with it!

get off work @ 5, so i will hopefully get the tranny back in today!

im about an hour from ya, but thats 2 hrs, minus the time we take bull****ting that i can have it done and runnin again :thumbup:

you going to santa maria this weekend?

Good news about the quick fix for your ring gear from someone with real experience. :thumbup: (told ya I didn't have a clue)
No Santa Maria trip for this guy this year...but if you are taking 101 past Gilroy, feel free to stop by.

Later, mikey

took the TC cover off, and inside... low and behold... there was a bolt that held the TC into place!
flipped the flywheel and slapped the trans back in!

some linkage, replace some fuel line, she should be runnin by the weekend..


thanks for your help mike!

You probably have a Cast Iron Dynaflow transmission. It should say Dynaflow on the side of it. If so, you must dismantle the converter to remove it.