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Author
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Topic: Thrust bearing question
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Kyle
Gearhead Posts: 430
From: Sumner, WA
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 05-20-2002 01:06 PM
   
I took my Fairlane's 302 apart for the first time since it was rebuilt and the thrust bearing was extremely worn, not to mention the crankshaft surface. It looked as though metal had come off the bearing and circulated to the other bearings- big copper streaks in the brand new bearings. I took the crank to a shop to have it turned 20/20 and the owner told me that he would reccommend welding up the crank to repair the thrust surface, it was so bad. Either that or get a new crank, which is what I am gonna do. He said it was probably due to the line pressure being too high on my C4. He said that it was the tranny trying to push the converter through the engine, or that the converter was ballooning. The tranny has a Hughes 3200 stall converter and a B&M Transpak in it set up for manual shifting. You don't hook up the modulator per their directions. What could cause such wear on the thrust bearing? How can I keep it from happening to a new crank? When do you junk a crankshaft? ------------------
Kyle Laramore 63 Fairlane: 302, Victor Jr. heads and intake, solid lift cam, super comp headers, MSD 6al and duraspark, 650 DP carb, C4 w/ Hughes converter, man. valve body 66 Mustang coupe: 289, offy intake, Holley 600 vac. sec., 3spd stick
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Fordwiser
Gearhead Posts: 442
From: Metamora, Illinois
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 05-20-2002 02:27 PM
I don't think there's any way line presure could drive the converter forward. When you first installed the converter did it have the right clearence? With the converter pushed all the way into the tranny there should be a minimum of 1/8 in. clearence between the converter and flex plate, maximum of 3/16 in. I got those specs from JPT. I would guess if the converter was balloning that could cause the problem. I would get the converter cut open and inspected/freshened and if they thought it was balloning have anti balloning plates installed if it's salvagable. Check your tranny pan for metal shavings also, the converter hub could of ground into the pump housing also. Hope this helps! Good luck!
Roger
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kid vishus
Gearhead Posts: 6590
From: middle of NC
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 05-20-2002 05:00 PM
Seeings how my C4 has a TON of line pressure, and the thrust bearing never looks bad, I would dare to say that is not the cause of yours looking that way. Perhaps the dampner was installed using a BFH  damaging it upon assembly? Just an thought. I would look for the cause somewhere besides the line pressure in the trans.
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Kyle
Gearhead Posts: 430
From: Sumner, WA
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 05-21-2002 08:24 PM
I used a balancer installer- no hammers! I didn't check the converter clearence- I just bolted it in. I will check that this time. Is there any visual signs of converter ballooning that I can check for without tearing it apart? What would cause my converter to balloon? I'm not using any power adders right now, just whatever power the motor makes.I am having a new crank done this week, and plan on having the motor together by June 1, which is the Ford Weekend here at Pacific Raceways. I need to know if there are any other things I need to check out before I put this motor back together! I don't want to pull it apart and see another crank ruined. I know you guys and grrls have more ideas out there (I hope). ------------------
Kyle Laramore 63 Fairlane: 302, Victor Jr. heads and intake, solid lift cam, super comp headers, MSD 6al and duraspark, 650 DP carb, C4 w/ Hughes converter, man. valve body 66 Mustang coupe: 289, offy intake, Holley 600 vac. sec., 3spd stick
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Larry Jennings
Gearhead Posts: 540
From: Redwood City, Ca. USA
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 05-21-2002 09:21 PM
I'm not all that sure I understand why converters balloon but it is certainly not a racing only kinda problem, and I've seen some serious carnage as a result of it, on some of them it is easy to see just looking at the face of the converter, but others it is not. ------------------
They think they can make fuel from horse manure... Now I don't
know if your car will be able to get thirty miles to the gallon,
but it's sure gonna put a stop to siphoning.
- Billie Holliday
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Fordwiser
Gearhead Posts: 442
From: Metamora, Illinois
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 05-21-2002 09:52 PM
Not real sure what to look for either, but some things could be burnt looking/smelling fluid, paint burnt off or scorched looking on the converter, wierd looking bulges or ripples in the converter. Also if the thrust bearings were tore up that bad it couldn't have been doing the timing chain and gears much good either, better check them for wear also.
Roger
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kid vishus
Gearhead Posts: 6590
From: middle of NC
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 05-21-2002 10:10 PM
When my bud with the bbc had his convertor balloon, it swelled up enough it actually left dents in the convertor from the flexplate bolts. But his never hurt the motor at all.
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