[FC] Powerglide Question (I think)

[Chris & Bill Strickland]

>Is there a way I can tell if it is the torque converter before I go to the trouble of replacing it?
>

I'll tend to agree with Ken here, converters don't just 'go out of 
balance', or at least it would be really rare if one did. However there 
are numerous external influences that could effect it -- Ken mentions 
balance weights and broken ring gear welds -- I have seen broken 
(cracked) drive gear plates (the piece of steel between the crank and 
the converter) on other vehicles, but not on a Corvair, showing symptoms 
like loose rivets on a Corvair flywheel.  Possibly the drive plate  to 
crank bolts have failed or loosened, or possibly the bolts to the 
converter, but still that is more of a noise or motivation issue as the 
snout on the converter holds it centered with the crank.

Does it still vibrate if you shift it into neutral? 

How's the engine running? Don't laugh too hard, but I have repaired 
"transmission troubles" by tuning up the engine -- most notably, but not 
exclusively, leaks in the vacuum modulator line.

Even a pressure check on the transmission shouldn't tell much of a 
story, as the converter doesn't have much to do with running the pump, 
other than driving it through the outside shell.

A converter rebuilder could check your unit on the shelf, and flush it 
at the same time -- there is little an individual can do to check a 
converter, other than look at it -- "Yup, that's a Corvair torque 
converter."  Most vehicles have the ring gear attached to the perimeter 
of the drive plate, aka the flex plate, rather than the converter shell.

Bill Strickland