torque converter bolts keep comming loose
#1576978
02/10/14 11:08 PM
02/10/14 11:08 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 266 iowa
rook440
OP
enthusiast
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OP
enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 266
iowa
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flex plate bolts wont stay tight ...I have fought this problem for years with a 8 bolt flex plate sfi approved ,3 passes and they are beating up the back of the block ,,,they are red locktighted and tight ,Jim VanZee is now having the same problem ...one guy years ago said buy "the wheel " but I never did Jim said some guys say it isnt the flex plate its the Harmonic ballancer ,,,whose got the real answer ,,,,???
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Re: torque converter bolts keep comming loose
[Re: rook440]
#1576980
02/10/14 11:31 PM
02/10/14 11:31 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,751 Graham, WA
Polarapete
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top fuel
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Graham, WA
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A couple of questions come to mind...1) has the engine been balanced as an assembly? 2) what size are the bolts you are using (Hemi converters use oversized bolts probably for that very reason). Of course, you couldn't be using the large holes in the flex plate with small bolts...could you? Years ago, I fixed a bad rattle in a GM car that was traced to loose converter bolts. The young lady was very grateful
1986 Dodge Ramcharger 440 2wd, Bracket Racer Under Construction 1998 Ram 2500 QuadCab, new daily driver. 2008 Honda Element 2014 Carry-On 7x14 Cargo Trailer
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Re: torque converter bolts keep comming loose
[Re: rook440]
#1576991
02/11/14 12:00 PM
02/11/14 12:00 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,369 Marion, South Carolina [><]
an8sec70cuda
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I Live Here
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Marion, South Carolina [><]
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Make sure you're using a good set of converter bolts. NOT the Mopar Performance bolts. Get a set of the 12 point ARP converter bolts. Use red loctite on them. Spray the threads in the converter out w/ brake clean to make sure there's no grease or oil in them.
Something out of balance will cause them to loosen...as well as detonation.
CHIP '70 hemicuda, 575" Hemi, 727, Dana 60 '69 road runner, 440-6, 18 spline 4 speed, Dana 60 '71 Demon, 340, low gear 904, 8.75 '73 Chrysler New Yorker, 440, 727, 8.75 '90 Chevy 454SS Silverado, 476" BBC, TH400, 14 bolt '06 GMC 2500HD LBZ Duramax
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Re: torque converter bolts keep comming loose
[Re: dvw]
#1576995
02/12/14 01:16 AM
02/12/14 01:16 AM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 197 Nor-Cal
loaderpro
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Nor-Cal
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Quote:
My bolts never come loose. They have no thread locker. Why are there hundreds of cars out there W/O locktite that have no issue? If they come loose with locktite there's a real problem. The only real cause that I can think of is harmonics whether it's a balance issue, detonation, or other. Oblong holes shouldn't matter,the bolt is not driving the plate,the clamp load is what holds it tight.
Doug
Respect your opinion...but if oblong holes do not matter then they would come from the factory that way...
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Re: torque converter bolts keep comming loose
[Re: loaderpro]
#1576997
02/12/14 07:06 AM
02/12/14 07:06 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,991 Anoka County, MN
Leigh
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Quote:
Quote:
My bolts never come loose. They have no thread locker. Why are there hundreds of cars out there W/O locktite that have no issue? If they come loose with locktite there's a real problem. The only real cause that I can think of is harmonics whether it's a balance issue, detonation, or other. Oblong holes shouldn't matter,the bolt is not driving the plate,the clamp load is what holds it tight.
Doug
Respect your opinion...but if oblong holes do not matter then they would come from the factory that way...
Respect your opinion as well...but most factory holes are anything but perfect in size relationship to the fastener employed. And why would they spend more on an oblong shape anyway, if not needed? Factory stampings are about cost containment.
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Re: torque converter bolts keep comming loose
[Re: rook440]
#1576998
02/12/14 07:12 AM
02/12/14 07:12 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,667 Arizona
Chris'sBarracuda
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Arizona
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Quote:
flex plate bolts wont stay tight ...I have fought this problem for years with a 8 bolt flex plate sfi approved ,3 passes and they are beating up the back of the block ,,,they are red locktighted and tight ,Jim VanZee is now having the same problem ...one guy years ago said buy "the wheel " but I never did Jim said some guys say it isnt the flex plate its the Harmonic ballancer ,,,whose got the real answer ,,,,???
I would say find the common things about both of your set ups. If you have the same engine guy, that may narrow down the balancing.. Same converter company.?? T/F or Glide..
Chris..
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Re: torque converter bolts keep comming loose
[Re: Leigh]
#1576999
02/12/14 10:53 AM
02/12/14 10:53 AM
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,847 MI, usa
dvw
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MI, usa
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
My bolts never come loose. They have no thread locker. Why are there hundreds of cars out there W/O locktite that have no issue? If they come loose with locktite there's a real problem. The only real cause that I can think of is harmonics whether it's a balance issue, detonation, or other. Oblong holes shouldn't matter,the bolt is not driving the plate,the clamp load is what holds it tight.
Doug
Respect your opinion...but if oblong holes do not matter then they would come from the factory that way...
Respect your opinion as well...but most factory holes are anything but perfect in size relationship to the fastener employed. And why would they spend more on an oblong shape anyway, if not needed? Factory stampings are about cost containment.
I'm not saying thats correct. It's the result of loose bolts, not the cause. Some GM flex plates have oval holes at 90* to each other from the factory. If an oval hole was an issue they wouldn't have ever done that. Doug
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Re: torque converter bolts keep comming loose
[Re: Dunnuck Racing]
#1577000
02/12/14 12:42 PM
02/12/14 12:42 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,544 Syracuse,NY
CompWedgeEngines
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Quote:
Ran into this last year after changing convertor in a customers car. The convertor fit fine on a 6 bolt crank but on an 8 bolt, the flexplate to convertor bolts hit the hub on the convertor before the bolts into the convertor were tight. Look to marks in that area of the convertor from the bolt heads. Thin spacers between the two fixed the issue but we used longer bolts to ensure enough thread engagement.
I have absolutely seen this as a problem with several cars. The bolt heads are barely rubbing on the rounded part of the converter housing, and they will back out almost every run, or every couple runs.
I think its already been said here.
1) Check for interference of bolts/TC cover 2) Balancing/damper ( we have no idea on this one, only YOU know if the shop balanced it.Get the records from them and see if anything looks suspect) 3) I agree 100% with torquing the bolts everytime. A converter bolt SHOULD NOT need red loctite to STAY IN. Only to be a preventative safety measure.
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Re: torque converter bolts keep comming loose
[Re: MR_P_BODY]
#1577003
02/12/14 10:32 PM
02/12/14 10:32 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,986 new jersey usa
11secdart
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new jersey usa
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Like everybody else said and check to make sure the converter bolts aren`t bottoming out, i.e. too long, I had this problem that I kept cracking flex plates, turns out the bolts were one thread too long, we cut them , put loc tite on them , retightened them with an impact thru the starter hole ( Like Mr P body said) and haven`t had a problem since.
Last edited by 11secdart; 02/12/14 10:33 PM.
68 Dart 410 / 904 92 D150 original owner 21 Ram 1500 Quad Cab, Big Horn , Hemi ,4x4 23 Audi Q5 16 Honda HRV
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Re: torque converter bolts keep comming loose
[Re: 11secdart]
#1577005
02/12/14 11:23 PM
02/12/14 11:23 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,845 Tampa
DusterDave
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Tampa
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Quote:
Like everybody else said and check to make sure the converter bolts aren`t bottoming out, i.e. too long, I had this problem that I kept cracking flex plates, turns out the bolts were one thread too long, we cut them , put loc tite on them , retightened them with an impact thru the starter hole ( Like Mr P body said) and haven`t had a problem since.
I re-read this entire thread, and nobody else mentioned bolts bottoming out as a possible cause. Were your bolts coming loose? That's the problem the OP is experiencing, not cracked flexplates.
Gone to the dark side with an LS3 powered '57 Chevy 210
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Re: torque converter bolts keep comming loose
[Re: DusterDave]
#1577006
02/13/14 12:45 AM
02/13/14 12:45 AM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,986 new jersey usa
11secdart
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Sorry I just thought it was something else worth checking
Last edited by 11secdart; 02/13/14 12:55 AM.
68 Dart 410 / 904 92 D150 original owner 21 Ram 1500 Quad Cab, Big Horn , Hemi ,4x4 23 Audi Q5 16 Honda HRV
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