A4LD HELP, Advice on chatter

[Glenn Biggs]

My problem started with a cracked fly wheel, which in turn screwed up the torque conveter shaft and the bell housing main pump bushing and seal. I'm currently stationed in Italy, so I have done all the work myself with the help of my Ford shop manuals. I replace the bushing and seal in the bell housing and a new converter from Art Carr Performance Products. When bolting together the bell housing to the pump I used the old conveter to align them. In my Ford manual they use a special tool, but I hope my technique was ok since I can't get ahold of one. I followed all instructions. After installation I ran the truck with the rear of the ground shifting in all gears and adding oil. The problem I have is a loud chatter coming from the bellhousing. Seems to be worse when in gear at idle speed. When on the road the trany shifts up and down like advertised. A friend of mine (mechanic) said it could be the conveter blades hitting against the inside of the conveter housing. So I bought a used conveter from him and installed it today. Needless to say I have the same problem. :fire:
ANY EXPERT ADVICE? I would really apreciate any help!

Thanks

 

[Paul Gagnon]

I don't know how helpfull this will be but since you said you changed the flywheel is it possible that you bent the sheetmetal that goes between the transmission and the block and that it is rubbing against the flywheel as it spins?

 

[Glenn Biggs]

Could be. When I remove the tranny, now for the third time, I'll take a close look at that. I did remove the starter whith the engine running to see if anything was rubbing, but did not notice anything. Thanks for your help.

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

I am posting to get email updates as my flywheel/flexplat just went out as well. It is so bad that the starter won't even engage. Anyway, let me know how it all turns out. Also, are there any advantages to the art carr torque converter and how much was it?

 

[Glenn Biggs]

Well, it all was going fine untill I installed my tranny back in. When running at idle you can hear a chatter from the bellhousing. I removed it for the fourth time this weekend to take it apart all the way down to the main pump and check my work. I have also been reading how these tranies are notorius for misalignment after you change out the bellhousing bushing. This might be creating that chatter, I hope! Anyway, I'm sending my bellhousing to a machine shop in California to have the bore of the bushing aligned professionaly. You can read about it at precision technologies
Since my fly wheel screwed up my converter I got an after market one ($340) from Art Carr Performance Products. Dead Link Removed
This is another good article I found. http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m1185/n2_v32/20158805/print.jhtml
Make sure you do your homework before you tackle the job. I'ts been a pain for me because I'm stationed in Italy and they don't sell the Explorer over here, much less have parts or mechanics that know about it. But for you it should be easy. Good luck!

 

[BJW]

Hey Glenn Biggs,
Was wondering when you removed your
tranny if you had any trouble removing
the crossover ( Y pipe) nuts that bolt the
driver and passenger side of the y pipe to
the exhaust manifold or do they just look
like a real pain to loosen

Thanks

BJW

 

[Glenn Biggs]

I got rid of those manifolds a long time ago. I installed some Pacesetter headers, did not like them. So I just recently installed some JBA headers, these have a better design and fit like a glove. Anyway, if I remeber right I think they might be a pain. But like any old exhaust make sure you put some penetraing fluid on the bolts or nuts and let it soak overnight. At least that will help a little. Have fun!