Here's the situation: I have a almost brand new Yank tt3000 in my truck. After about 5 miles of test drving after installing the converter, the 3-4 clutch pack in my trans let go. So I'm assuming that I have clutch material all in my new converter. I have a fresh FLT Level 5 trans ready to go in, but there is no way I'm putting that converter in there without getting it cleaned first.

I spoke to a reputable local guy and he wants $125 to cut it open and clean it out. Yank wants $225 plus shipping there and back, which will come out near $300. Here's my concern, obviously my warranty would be void if I went with the local guy. If you read Yank warranty carefully, it also says it is voided if the converter is subjected to non stock programming and line pressures, or abuse (wtf it is a performance part - what do they expect?). Anyway, I'm not worried about the warranty, just that the local guy isn't going to screw it up in any way and change the stall speed at all. Is this even possible? Should I be worried at all? Is there any way to flush a converter without opening it up?

Thanks.

 

I don't think there is any good way to flush it while it is in one piece. Sucks to have to have it cut open, but if the guy is reputable I can't see that anything would change by just having it opened up, cleaned out and put back together.

Did you have chunks of material go through the sysetem when the clutches went?

 

I don't know if there are any chunks, it's been sitting since this happened. Just now getting things in order to get it torn down again and I'm anticipating the worst.

 

When i had a trans go out i brought my converter to a local shop. They just drilled a hole in the side of it, flushed it with mineral spirits, welded the hole back up and pressure tested it. Was going to cost me $50 but it took them quite a while so they didn't charge me at all.

 

There are 2 ways of flushing a converter that I'm familiar with, and both have been mentioned here. I've seen converters with "drain plugs" in them where they have been drilled, flushed, and then plugged. I'm also familiar with the cutting open routine, but have never had it done myself.

I wonder if filling and draining the converter repeatedly would work, at least to give you an idea if it's filled with chunks. You could set it on the side that bolts to the flywheel and keep filling it with ATF until it overflows. Then turn it upside down to drain into a clean bucket...if you see little bits of material, you'll know for sure that it needs a professional flush. If it comes out clean, you could repeat the process a few times to help you sleep at night. Just a thought...not sure how bright an idea it is though lol.

So you have the trans all ready to go huh!! You should've taken care of the converter flush weeks ago lol!!! Looks like you'll have the truck running just in time for the first snow storm

Lemme know if we're gonna be doing a cam swap in Fair Lawn

 

If you try to flush it yourself i would use something thinner than trans fluid, like paint thinner, or even gasoline. It will fill and drain much faster and would clean better IMO.

If you do that though i would also fill it with tranny fluid afterwards and empty it again to get whatever you use to clean completely out of it.

 

Cost me $25 for a local shop to flush my 3K vert. Took them less than an hour. Drilled/Tapped a hole in the side, flushed repeatedly, and plugged it. The best way to TRULY see what's in the verter is to cut it open, but I don't know of any trans shops (local to me) that will go that far.

 

Looks like I'm going to send it to the local guy and let him handle it. I just want this done and back on the road at this point.

Yep, my trans arrived two weeks ago. Never took the old trans out because my dad wanted to be able to move it around if needed. When I was talking to him a few months ago he told me he moved it. When I asked him why, he said, "To mow the weeds that were growing around it."

Plan on a cam swap this spring. I'll have only had the new cam for a year and a half before it even gets installed.

 

Ouch! Nice burn from dad!! Look at it this way, your truck will be a low mileage hot rod before you know it

The cam swap shouldn't be that bad...it's the springs that are a PITA lol, and you've already got the duals (way to plan ahead ). I'm ready when you are, and it's only gonna cost you one barbecue at your place

 

Just one BBQ? Damn, you work cheap! Need the winter to come and go already. I want to drive this thing again.