reversing a torque converter
reversing a torque converter
(OP)
I don't know why but, I woke up this morning with this puzzle on my mind. What components would need to change if you drove an automatic transmission the opposite way?
I think all car engines turn clockwise and most trans have an overrunning cluch. Except for the sprag, would the converter work or are the vanes going the wrong direction?
I think all car engines turn clockwise and most trans have an overrunning cluch. Except for the sprag, would the converter work or are the vanes going the wrong direction?





RE: reversing a torque converter
I don't know for sure as I never looked inside a converter, but I expect they will not work in reverse direction, or at least, not work well
Regards
pat pprimmer@acay.com.au
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: reversing a torque converter
RE: reversing a torque converter
some engines do run coulterclockwise, and have timing belts that jump teeth if you turn the motor backwards. (very bad day at the tranny shop)
RE: reversing a torque converter
They make 7" and 8" racing converters for TF727,C-4,TH400, etc, I can imagine that someone would be willing to make one for reverse direction but I don't know if they make new guts for a stock application or if it is a completly custom design.
Carnage, What engines do you know run backwards? I asked a tranny shop about Honda but they told me they are clockwise too.
RE: reversing a torque converter
Some of the marine engines run backwards where one of a pair of engines is modified. I believe they fit a gear drive to the cam instead of chain drive. All you need then is a reverse rotation starter motor. These are easy to find, because some starters face forward, and some face back towards the gearbox for different applications.
Not sure what you are doing there, but reversing the engine might be easier than reversing the transmission.
RE: reversing a torque converter
Reversing the run direction of an engine is non trivial in practice but in theory almost all you need are some new timing pulses, water and oil pump, and camshafts. I would expect many durability issues.
The efficiency of a fluid drive run backwards would be very poor, if it worked at all.
Cheers
Greg Locock
RE: reversing a torque converter
Normally the cam (via a chain drive) rotates in engine direction in the standard engine, and the cam (via a gear drive rotates counter to engine direction in the reverse direction engine, hence the cam and ancillaries driven by it like distributor and oil pump always turn the correct way.
Obvious differences are piston pin offset, water pump and starter. Less obvious are sump baffles, oil groves in the crank or bearings.
Alternators work both ways except for the cooling fan.
Most of these problems are overcome by the marine conversion changing these things for the above as well as other reasons, not the least being corrosion avoidance or resistance.
Regards
pat pprimmer@acay.com.au
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: reversing a torque converter
I tore apart a trans I had laying here and I am going to cut open the converter too. Does anyone know of an automotive trans that runs opposite all the domestic applications?
RE: reversing a torque converter
RE: reversing a torque converter
Sometimes a ring and pinion for a front diff can be used in a rear diff if it is inverted, just as Smokey suggests. But make sure the front pinion bearing which might then be up in the air does not run dry on you.
When trying to figure out problems like these, I find a bottle of good whiskey can help the thought process along rather well.
RE: reversing a torque converter
RE: reversing a torque converter
RE: reversing a torque converter
RE: reversing a torque converter
MSG
RE: reversing a torque converter
Alan
RE: reversing a torque converter
Precision of New hampton has them. they make 1500 TC's a day
RE: reversing a torque converter
RE: reversing a torque converter
-Jon
RE: reversing a torque converter
RE: reversing a torque converter
RE: reversing a torque converter
I think the next step get a stock core and reverse engineer it into a CAD drawing. Maybe find someone with a fero arm?
I heard ATI bought all the tooling so they could make race converters.
RE: reversing a torque converter