Technical Frozen converter woes

I need to tap into the collective knowledge of the brain trust here. I picked up a 200-4r a while back, that I recently decided would be nice to rebuild and drop into my 59. So I went to pull the converter and set the trans up on my stand to begin tear down. Thats when I discovered a most unfortunate development: the converter was stuck. Not just stuck as in hard to remove, but stuck to the point it appears to have become one with the rest of the trans. I started off with the standard "twist and pull" method by hand. This escalated to the ever popular "try and walk it off with a pair of pry bars" which led to a board across the bellhousing with bolts to try and pull the converter outwards. This finally led to the (failed) method pictured. The teal truck wound up being dragged backwards, still in gear, and with the wheels blocked. Im working out of my home garage with largely basic tools. Anyone have any quality suggestions on how to get this monster removed?

 

Might be time to get out the ol' flame wrench...

 

Step one: bolt converter to chain and attach chain to truck hitch
Step two: Secure trans to something heavy
Step three: Remove converter by pulling foward with the truck in step 1.

 

ATF burns. Don't ask.

 

My concern there is setting the fluid on fire....

 

I’ve seen 2 pry bars used just be carefull of the case

 

I had it strapped to my 66 pickup, and was yanking on it with my daily. No dice. Though I'm amazed that the ratchet strap holding the case didnt snap with as much as I was pulling.

 

Get a heavier truck

 

Might have to rope the neighbor into my shenanigans again.....

 

Gives new meaning to the term "locking torque converter". You may have to track down a real old-school locksmith.

 

Well, I didn't say that it might not get exciting... Drill some holes in the convertor to get the ATF out first.

And you'll probably have better luck if chains are used on both ends of the pull. Then again, that may knock some corners off the case.

 

Honestly I was surprised at how well that strap was holding up. Prefer not to damage the case if possible.

 

Before you damage the case, make a fixture to bolt to the ears on the converter. Make and attach a heavy slide hammer out of a piece of pipe (I have one full of sand to add weight) One person on each end of the pipe will ease that converter out of the front pump. You may want to leave the trans attached to your truck while using the slide hammer.

 

I have no idea what those are worth these days. What is a core cost? How much other damage is expected inside if the converter is this stuck?
BTW, did a quick search and saw a 250 core and this. Must be you!
It's mentioned that the pump is probably shot too, which makes sense.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/687682961876462/permalink/2023402648304480/

 

A big slide hammer is your best bet. You could take it to a transmission shop to see if they have one or they might just say it's junk. Probably welded itself to the pump.

 

Try unbolting the front pump and pulling it all out together. The pump is probably junk anyways.

 

Guilty as charged I expect the pump is trashed, but I planned on a full rebuild so I'm not overly concerned.

Surprisingly the shops I've called wont touch it. Most just say they would pitch it and swap in a new unit which is baffling to me.

Ive thought about that. Can the pump bolts be fully removed with the converter in place, or are they too long?

 

When two parts love each other and mate up, it affects all the other parts in their immediate vicinity. The heat, bits of metal and such may not all get found, and it's not worth the effort on a common, cheap unit. Especially true if you need another core for some of the parts.
If it was a rare HAMB era part, it would be the only way forward and the extra time, effort and risk would be spent. On something where another core can be delivered and torn apart, why risk it? It's why those same shops won't redo a 1950's Hydro. Time and effort to track down parts, fully inspect and rebuild using only the single unit's bits. Any issue with wear tolerances, debris or damage must be fixed. Even more time, effort and risk. They can't do a 'farm fix' where it's back on the road for a while. It's got to be fully repaired to the best possible. Ask any long time shop about "just get it patched" repairs. Every one will have a horror story about helping someone and getting bit for their effort.

 

I have had maybe one handful of converters in 45 years of building transmissions, that would not come out .
Sometimes beating, prying, pulling and other creative ways just don't work.

Most have been everyday transmissions and just s****ped them and got a core.

One was a Buick Dynaflow, that we had no option but to figure a way to remove the converter as there were no cores available.
Eventually got it out of the trans with a lot of blood, sweat, tears and cussing.
Converter hub, pump, input shaft destroyed.

Good luck

Bill

 

If you can get a wrench on the bolts you can loosen them some, pull on the converter/pump, loosen some more, until hopefully it all comes out. Maybe.

 

Like other's said
I would drill some holes drain as much fluid out , start with cut off wheel
Remove internals of converter
then shell to remove pump .
Maybe a fire but needs to be done .
@ this point looks to be taken chance braking case , pump threads

 

16 Lb. sledge hammer. Have some fun letting out your frustration.

 

"Hold my beer and watch this !"

 

Might give this method a shot. Im sure i can probably cut and fold enough to at least get the pump out and make it easier to work with....

 

I opted for violence and cut it out. The hub is still very stuck in the pump, but hopefully I can get that apart as a separate en***y once it comes out of the transmission.

 

And I thought I was the only one that **** like this happened to. Way to persevere though. You’re going to win this fight.

 

Man it's almost the norm for me it feels like.

 

You’re not alone.