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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 360
 
| Can a modern torque converter and flexplate be used on a 57 torqueflite? I should add I am working on a 1957 imperial with 392 hemi and the stock torqueflite minus a torque converter.
These converters bolted directly to the crank. Modern converters use a flexplate that bolts to the crank then attach to the converter via 4 outer bolts.
My torque converter was stolen so I am looking at options since they are no longer made. I am wondering if a modern converter will even fit onto the shaft of an old iron torqueflite. If it does then there is some hope to use a flexplate / modern converter and get the driveline mated up.
Thanks for any info |
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Expert
Posts: 2490
Location: Kansas City, KS | Anything is possible. The first problem will be creating space to fit a flexplate between the crank and toque converter would also require adding a spacer between the block and the transmission bell housing.
Right there would be enough reason to keep me motivated to search for an original torque converter.
Hopefully someone will chime in and correct me if I'm wrong but (stall speed differences aside) any 57-61, 8 bolt, torqueflite converter should bolt right up to your 392 and original torqueflite. |
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Expert
Posts: 3575
 
Location: Netherlands | Easiest way out is to replace the transmission with a '60s or newer model.
Better yet, slip in an overdrive transmission like an A518 and make the car more enjoyable and fun to drive. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 360
| BigBlockMopar - 2016-07-30 3:36 PM
Easiest way out is to replace the transmission with a '60s or newer model.
Better yet, slip in an overdrive transmission like an A518 and make the car more enjoyable and fun to drive.
That alone is also a lot of work. Making push buttons function, parking brake, trans cross member, adapter plate, drive shaft mod, etc. Its a costly modification. I like the idea but for it to be done right is tedious. |
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Expert
Posts: 1737
Location: Hay Lakes, Alberta, Canada | Where are you located? It's probably much easier to replace the stolen converter, rather than starting to do modifications or complete change over. Money and head ache wise. Just my two cents.
FYI: the converter used in the '57 Imperial crosses over to 57-58 NY and 300, 59-61 Chrysler All, 58-61 DeSoto, 58 Dodge CR and D500, 59 Dodge Royal, Sierra, and D500, Dodge Dart 8 Hi-performance, 60-61 Dodge Sierra, 1957-61 Imperial All, 1958 Plymouth Fury w/350, 1959-61 Plymouth Hi-performance |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 888
Location: Peoples Republic of Oregon | Check with
http://www.wildcatmopars.com/#!
or
http://bigmauto.com/ |
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Expert
Posts: 3777
Location: NorCal | miquelonbrad - 2016-08-05 7:03 AM
FYI: the converter used in the '57 Imperial crosses over to 57-58 NY and 300, 59-61 Chrysler All, etc.
They physically interchange but the '57 needs the cooling vanes on the converter that are absent in later years. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 769
Location: Oley, PA | I'd think it would be much easier to find a used converter. They aren't typically high failure items so they should not be so hard to find.
And who steals a torque converter? Seriously what the hell is wrong with some people? |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7400
Location: northern germany | speaking of tc's what do they "rebuild", when they "rebuild" a tc? i always wondered. |
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Expert
Posts: 1730
Location: Michigan | I have one in my car that is large and without vanes. You have to run a trans cooler off the lines that are on the trans. My 57 has them so I ran them up to the radiator and had the cooler added inside the bottom chamber. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 982
Location: Upper Hunter NSW Australia | 57chizler - 2016-08-06 6:38 AM
miquelonbrad - 2016-08-05 7:03 AM
FYI: the converter used in the '57 Imperial crosses over to 57-58 NY and 300, 59-61 Chrysler All, etc.
They physically interchange but the '57 needs the cooling vanes on the converter that are absent in later years.
........
Yep, establish if your trans has hydraulic cooling line ports in the side of it or not and that will determine what convertor you need.
The earlier fin cooled convertors from air cooled trans will fit a later hydraulic line cooled ( radiator bottom tank cooled ) transmission and probably help it keep very cool but if you go the other way around and fit a non finned convertor in a non hydraulic line cooled ( air cooled trans ) trans then you will most likely have overheating problems for sure as that combo will essentially have no cooling at all.
I spoke to a guy here a few years back that had retro fitted a more modern convertor into a cast iron Torqueflite trans when the owner couldn't find the correct convertor to rebuild ( his original was shot ).
He spoke of a few adaptors and some welding here and there in the conversion but I didn't go into it much at the time.Though I think it basically was a match of a modern convertor front and internals with flex plate/ring gear to the rear half of the original convertor so you retain the pump drive sleeve.
I do know his contact details, if you want I can contact him again and get him to go through his process of conversion but I'm sure you would find a shop where you are that could retro fit one to fit a cast iron T/F trans for you.
I think retro fitting another convertor would be a little easier and look just stock rather than trying to pushbutton convert this and that and/or throwing a floor shift in and a later trans.
Just my thoughts.........
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Expert
Posts: 1488
Location: Florida | One shop in Florida describes their rebuild like this on their website, which is http://www.floridatorqueconverters.com/home.html
Torque Converter - Remanufacturing Process
At Florida Torque Converter our years of experience have taught us a few lessons you don't find in the books. We know what to look for and how to make sure your torque converter is built to outlast and outperform your original equipment.
Let us show you a few of the things we do to make sure you get the best quality, best balanced and longest lasting torque converter on the market.
best torque converters in the world!
Before we even take a torque converter apart we MARK the halves to make sure they match up at the end of the process. We also keep ALL of the original parts together during the remanufacturing process. This reduces the need for additional weights when re-balancing the torque converter. Other companies just through all of the similar parts together in bins and mix and match pieces during the process. This often leads to the addition of heavy balancing weights.
During the process of separating the two halves, we have learned to take our time when cutting the weld. This reduces the heat and avoids damage to any components. Excess heat can weaken the metal and cause early failure. We make sure we do everything we can to minimize stress on all parts.
All parts are inspected thoroughly and any marginal parts are replaced.
We have learned to importance of measuring the thickness of the housing. Many other companies do not measure this and when they machine the surface it makes the metal too thin and leads to early failure. If your housing is less than the OEM specs, we replace it with a new one.
On our "triple" we add additional grooves to increase oil flow for better lockup. Most companies just smooth out the center and don't take the time to make it perform better.
We leak check every Torque Converter with 90 P.S.I. of pressure to assure there are no leaks.
We precision balance each converter with our computerized balancer.
We use only the best clutch materials. From stock paper to high tech Kevlar we have them all in stock and ready to go.
We pre-charge our Torque converters with transmission fluid. We know that Torque converters don't always get installed right away. If they are not charged with a small amount of transmission fluid, humidity can began to cause rust on the internal components leading to early failure. It is also necessary to prime the clutch before installation. Our torque converters are primed before they leave our facility.
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Expert
Posts: 1488
Location: Florida | Of course, they focus on modern units which may have a lockup feature, etc. which is descibed above.
A small shop that actually rebuilt a couple converters that came from cast iron Torqueflites for me is here: http://www.manta.com/c/mmnmw16/royal-convertors |
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modern torque converter on 57 torqueflite?
