engine vibration

Just an update. Problem solved. I took the torque converter cover back off because it bothered me where the drains were. The PO must have had the torque converter replaced at one time and someone did not line the drains with the holes in the flex plate. It can only go one way if done right and apparently it is balanced when put back right. Long story short, the torque converter is not balanced if not bolted into the right bolt holes on the flex plate. Mine was 120 degrees off.
 
Here is a quote from "DAVES55SEDAN" in post #8.
if you can take it out of gear and coast and the vibration goes away, the converter is rotating at engine idle speed (in which you also do not have a vibration). That could very well mean that you could have a converter imbalance.
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So, I say, Dave was on the right track. ;)

Also, So many times members offer their help and
advice, and the OP don't ever bother to let us know how
the problem was solved. Glad you got it fixed, and
Thanks for letting us know how you fixed it. :)









.
 
Your right, thanks Dave, I would never have thought of the torque converter being that far off. I have a repair manual that states some of the torque converters have balance marks that line up on the flex plate also.
 
wbedwards said:
.... I have a repair manual that states some of the torque converters have balance marks that line up on the flex plate also.
Click to expand...
It's great you found the problem.

Does your repair manual have a (short?) list of which torque converters those would be?
Mine was disassembled for some new internal parts so I'm wondering if I should be aware, if it's on the list. ('55 air cooled Fordomatic)
 
dmsfrr said:
Does your repair manual have a (short?) list of which torque converters those would be?
Mine was disassembled for some new internal parts so I'm wondering if I should be aware, if it's on the list. ('55 air cooled Fordomatic)
Click to expand...

To answer your question dmsfrr, YES, the 55 air cooled converter does have balance marks. They look like a letter "0" about the same size as you would see from an old underwood typewriter, stamped on the side of the converter and the matching "0" stamped on the front of the converter/flywheel plate.
Also make sure that you get the flexplate bolted back in the proper position. (I am pretty sure it can only go on one way or 180 degrees from that). But I would bet that if you bolted the flexplate on in interference with the converter drain plugs it would damage the flexplate mounting tabs beyond repair. That might not be true of the '57 and later flexplates as they do not have the spring-steel tabs riveted to the flexplate.
 
What Dave said. Apparently its the air cooled ones. While mine had marks, they looked more like assembly marks when it was put together. The one I have, '59, really will go only one way if you line the drain plugs up where they belong.
 
Ok thanks.
It's all back in the car now, maybe I can see something thru the starter and bottom access holes in the bell housing. I really don't want to pull it back out just to double check.
The car has the later flex plate that only fits one way or 180°, like the one in this example photo.
Guess I'll wait to see how it goes.
 

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Excellent info! Thanks
Now I've got a better idea what I'm looking for. Hopefully the transmission shop put the torque converter back together correctly. I'll probably know for sure once it's running. :o
 
Dave55Sedan, I've got to tell you how impressed I am at your diagnosis about the converter. Here you are without the benefit of looking at the car and yet you come up with the issue! When one comes across a very talented individual, in any Field, it's just admiration.
 
I've come to admire a lot of folks who frequent this forum for their knowledge and attention to detail, and if ya stick around here long enough, I think you will join me in my admiration and respect for these nice folks here too. I'm just another one of the guys, that's all.
 
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