How hard would it be to design or adapt a torque converter to replace the torus in the old Hydra matics? Maybe the trans design precludes a torque amplifier but it would be nice to have one less fluid leak and to be able to split the engine & trans without all those bolts. Or is it easier said than done?
Anything is possible with a 1/2 Million dollars or so for R&D and then find someone able to produce the part. Otherwise no. Bill
Doable, but not feasable. For one thing you would have to add a stator support to the front pump on the Hydramatic. Someone would have to design a new pump ***embly and then manufacture it. You would probably end up with way more money in just the conversion than the whole vehicle. However, with enough money you can do about anything.
Look at the ship-load of bucks that Ford put into the OG 1932 flathead... and old Henry was a cheap SOB. Anything is possible, it would have to be a true labor of love.
There are tradeoffs in all auto engineering. Hydros are heavy and as you point out, a h***le to remove and install. BUT. They don't require the h***le of a cooling system and I would argue, are stronger than their ***y progeny.
With 1st gear being 3:82 to 1, the use of a torque converter will do little, if any for further torque multiplication. Sounds like an adapter (flex plate) that goes between torus cover/flywheel and crankshaft may be a possibility.
That's true. GM designed the Hydro with super-low first gear that shifts to second almost immediately to function as a pseudo-torque converter. Works great in that function. Performance of a Hydro is acceptable as long as the 2-3 shift band adjustments are spot-on! That shift is legendary for being difficult to adjust. It requires actuation of both clutch packs and both bands simultaneously. As with all automatics Hydros also require proper adjustment of the throttle valve. Neither adjustment is brain surgery. That leaves the h***le of 30 bolt removals to drop the ****** as the main objectionable trait. Funny side note; B&M Transmission became legendary partly because of a little slide valve they patented that allows the ****** to be held in first gear. Other ****** companies figured out how to do that task with addition of byp*** tubes in holes drilled in valve body p***ages, but none were as elegant as B&M's slide valve. Only problem is, drag racers, a big client base, didn't use the valve. The 1-2 shift comes so quickly (and it needs to), that racers started out in 2nd gear and let the ****** do its torque converter impression. The 1st gear hold conversion was probably most useful to off-roaders trying to joggle their way out of a mud bog.
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