Installed my new FLT Level 5 and Vig converter back in late March. I've been to the track once and made a total of three runs on drag radials, spinning through the 60'. Other than that, the truck has been DD'ed everyday with a total of maybe 3k miles on the new setup. Two weeks ago, I was hauling a cherry picker in the back of the truck back to my house from 5 minutes away. Obviously, I was babying the truck as I didn't want the cherry picker to overturn. I backed in my driveway, unloaded the picker and parked the truck. I came out later, started the truck, dropped the shifter into Drive and had nothing. The truck made a hissing/ticking noise but soon stopped. I figured it was a shift linkage or something until I heard the noise. A friend and I checked the linkages, plugs and TC bolts. Everything checked out fine. Took me a week to find a trailer to tow the truck to my buddy's house to put on his lift. We got the trans pulled out and I found the snout of my converter had busted and cracked on the opposing side. I wanted to wait until I had personally spoke to FLT and PI before I posted up about this. I called up Vicky at PI and they're going to warranty the converter, all I have to pay is freight. That says a lot for the company! The trans is on the way back to FLT as well, awaiting to see exactly what happened. Anyone ever break a snout? My setup is a measly little cammed 5.3 with 3.42s. I'm not making huge power. Hopefully we'll find out the cause of this as I'm still stumped...I'm just ready to be able to drive it.





and theres the crack on the opposing side.

 

Stress cracks. Loss of fluid pressure (as well as capacity). Had that before, but never dropped functionality of trans though (trashed the TC as soon as I saw the same stress cracks as you have in the pics above). I wouldn't think PI would sell a converter that was "suspect", but stress crack can exist without being noticed... until the hub is under load. Even with a mildly modified 5.3L, those cracks will extend over time. As far as the converter, hopefully, nothing's damaged. Always good to have Vince check it out anyway.

Good luck!


Here was mine... cracks went in a different direction as yours, but looks to have started in the same spots as yours. (pics from angles of both notches)

 

I've only ever broken 1 converter/pump drive and it was my own fault. I didn't have it lined up totally right when I married the trans to the engine and put stress on the converter snout and pump drive tangs. Killed it within a few weeks (this was in a TA).

Good luck with the reinstall!

 

Sorry about the break. I have seen 2 or 3 break there. Think I made the same statement last time. I don't understand converters breaking there. All those tangs do is drive the pump. Someone explain it to me.

 

That's what I'm saying too... It should never break there from abuse, just misinstallation or a factory defect. Misinstallation would include not aligning the pump drive tangs correctly (like I did on my old TA) as well as not measuring the clearance between the flexplate and the converter flange when fully seated.

 

well, the trans is on the way back. Andy @ FLT informed me that the pump was toast. Thankfully, Chuck felt gracious and they repaired the trans without any questions. Words cannot say enough about this company. They're stand up guys. I appreciate all of the help Chuck/Vince/Andy. FLT is the best company I've spent my money with!

 

I hate readin about fragged tranny/ conv. threads. Esp. short term blowouts; just like that 1 guy that got hit after new motor install( only enjoyed 1 mo). Glad to see your in great hands!

 

Way cool! FLT proves themselves again and again.

 

missed this...
glad you got everything handled...

 

Could it be possible too much crankshaft end play?