Can a Torque Converter Cause Engine Vibration?

[@pieterdykstra7184]

Hi Jay, Thank YOU again for diagnosing my Converter for the C6!!! It was a "Towing" Low Stall (1200-1400 rpm) version I selected for a 3800 pound "Cruiser" pick-up truck that went along with their Transmission as to get their "warranty". After the Install, on a "Internally Balanced" Stock Ford 300 Inline 6 with a Neutral balance flexplate and no previous "Vibration" issues, I knew something was not right. The company's customer service was so "difficult and unprofessional" that it became my own self-diagnosis, to come to the conclusion that it MUST be the converter. I put a "Stock" low stall C6 converter in from a company out of Tennessee, and smooth as glass.... Rather than send that BAD converter back to the company that lost my trust, I decided to eat the $ 412 dollar purchase and send the converter to someone I could TRUST for a diagnosis that may also help others. YOU made the perfect video to see clearly what was/is happening. Thank YOU for your detailed explanation of the issue(s) with that converter, and it's comforting to know you help was available. Your C6 Valve body worked really well last year Too, and it shows that you REALLY take pride in your work.

[@BroaderPerformance]

Thanks Pieter, this turned out to be helpful to a lot of people I think. We appreciate the opportunity. I will try and do another with it cut open to see how it looks on the inside.

[@GaryH-pw9cm]

Yes I had one of these also for a C4. It was out of balance so bad that my hot rod shook like a washing machine on spin cycle. The odd color of this converter tells me all I need to know about where it came from. It hit the scrap pile and I bought a new converter from a different manufacturer and have not had a problem since.

[@pieterdykstra7184]

@@GaryH-pw9cm Shame. Thank goodness Jay has done a "Deep Dive" on the subject, exposing the truth. Glad you got your issue sorted before damage to the rest of your setup! That tc blah blah blah company cost me a LOT. (trash converter) No more junk from them, even though it was made in the usa.

[@fordtrknut]

Jay, The problem with the people who made that converter don't take pride in their work. Your parents must have raised you right, because you do! That was a very interesting video, which you explained perfect. Thank You!

[@BroaderPerformance]

A worthless employee on that gig I'm sure. Thank you for the kind words.

[@TurboRanger351]

I have a couple of those in the scrap pile. Glad you could build my new one for me. Just got it yesterday, man it's a really nice looking converter, thank you again.

[@BroaderPerformance]

Thank you. We appreciate the business. It takes me a lot of time to build converters because I do it the old fashion way. Better quality control though.

[@anthonyscherer8156]

Thank you for keeping the curtain open as to the details of the backstory. Unfourtunatly much of our society has forgotten that "quality" is a function of the person that is assembling a component, placing part of themselves in their work, not the cumulation of tolerance stacking in a mass produced part with only a bean counters approval needed for "QC" sticker. Small businesses are the heart and soul of our industry. Many of these large corporations that saturate the market with "in spec" parts came from these same roots, and have lost themselves in layers of corporate fog, or just the plain pursuit of coin. Again, thank you both for the clarity and drama free presentation. Kudos

[@BroaderPerformance]

Very true. Thank you for your comments.

[@jmc6940]

Excellent content. This type of information is priceless. This is the type of indepth analysis that is lacking in many shops across the nation.

[@BroaderPerformance]

Much appreciated!

[@tangozebra2009]

Holy moly…that’s way off! Fantastic detailed explanation. Never thought a converter could actually cause vibrations. Certainly learned something new watching your video

[@BroaderPerformance]

Glad it helped!

[@chan1341]

Fascinating video Jay, I've been loving these videos showing your lathe as an inspection tool and aid for accurate shaft pressing. I have a machining background and have a lathe and mill in my garage and am planning to eventually build a mild C6 and 390 FE for my truck. These videos have given me some good tips about things to look out for. Any plans to make a video on some of the valve body mods you perform on the C6? Not to rob you of selling any, just would love to do some machining on mine to improve it if I can.

[@BroaderPerformance]

Lathes and mills are invaluable for sure. Im sure I will do more valve body videos in the future. Thanks for the feedback.

[@justintrest]

Question!!! I had a really nasty vibration on my 454 (external balanced engine). Pulled the harmonic balancer thinking the weight on the back side of it wasn’t right and turns out that wasn’t it. Then unbolted the brand new summit racing brand converter from the flex plate and started the engine and it idled smooth as a sewing machine… do you think I should start with searching for a new converter? Or either I have a bent input shaft on my transmission. That’s the only two things left it could be I’m thinking. I would love feedback from you. Love the video very informative. I’m now a subscriber

[@BroaderPerformance]

Have a converter shop check it out for you. It could be a problem.

[@normangiven6436]

Absolutely it can. Had a vibration in a GMC Yukon. Could not find it until I unbolted the TC. 14-hour job to change the TC, but problem solved. Any make of car or truck can suffer from this.

[@BroaderPerformance]

Absolutely. Thank you for your feedback

[@tangozebra2009]

Could a poorly balanced converter cause intermittent vibrations starting at 50-60 mph with a C4? Already ruled out tires, wheels, suspension, bushing at the tail housing, driving shaft and diff. So the only culprits left are the converter, harmonic balancer or flex plate. Also my 289 have Parkinson at idle. Not terrible but it’s definitely not smooth

[@BroaderPerformance]

Possibly. I would think it would be more consistent but nothing surprises me at this point. You could have someone check out your converter to be sure.

[@tangozebra2009]

Thanks for taking time to respond. I’ve already made arrangements to get it checked next week

[@micksutton7046]

Hi Jay Australia calling! Hey you know how you disclosed speedmaster selling imitation valve bodies? I’m pretty certain the same case with those converters! I went to the speedmaster warehouse once and there were literally pallet loads of B&M converters there Interesting huh Thanks for the tech, good job!

[@BroaderPerformance]

Interesting. Maybe a call to B&M is in order. I think Holley owns them now.

[@drewsharpe7484]

Boy TCI is really building crapola now days. They really went downhill since the sellout to Comp Cams years ago……

[@BroaderPerformance]

Employee problems I'm sure. That's always what hurts big companies. That's why I fly solo these days. Tough to pay good money to a person who lets things like that out the door.

[@the_chomper]

i had a clutch from ram clutches come partially unfinished. i didnt notice it until i turned the car over and it dug a groove into my transaxle. it cost them 1000 bucks and a new clutch to fix it. i was nice i didnt even charge them labor.

[@edcase3767]

My washing machine spins more true with a sleeping bag in it.....

[@BroaderPerformance]

We should measure that and compare. I think your washer will prove to be the better quality product.

[@droppedf100]

😂😂😂

[@stuartwall8212]

So, can a C4 converter be "balanced" and still have run out issues? I had mine balanced and the vibration is still there. Does a 50 oz. AOD 164T flex plate not work with a 164T C4? The engine is a 50 oz engine.

[@BroaderPerformance]

I think I had stated in this video that I think the runout is more critical than just adding weight to it. Balancing something crooked that causes too much flexplate distortion does'nt really work. It may work for awhile but after the pump bushing wears the problem will be back.

[@stuartwall8212]

@@BroaderPerformance If runout was not checked and a converter is merely balanced, is it possible to balance it on a fixture and still have it shake the car once installed? I guess that is a better restatement of what I am getting at.

[@robertgonzalez8840]

I've had good luck w Dacco F 28 converter, 1.848 pilot, fits 390/428....2150 stall. I have it behind an early 429...

[@BroaderPerformance]

I think most converter are pretty decent and won't cause problems like this. I would say this is in the minority being this far out.

[@JoeyBrioso-l9m]

What is the symptoms during idling?

[@BroaderPerformance]

This one I believe even vibrated at idle.

[@bobwhite4344]

i pity the pump that has to work with a converter that is that much out of whack.

[@BroaderPerformance]

No joke.

[@treyrags]

Is this repairable and if so is it worth the cost?

[@BroaderPerformance]

It is repairable but not worth it. Easier and cheaper just to start over. It's just a stock converter.

[@mattbourgeois6884]

I had a converter from that company that had problems as well, incorrect dimensionally as I recall

[@BroaderPerformance]

That's another topic. I see so many height and pilot length issues on the Ford converters. Especially with the old 1.848 pilots. Its the main reason I had to start making mine in house. Thanks for the feedback.

[@olivierroy1301]

Whoever welded this don't like his job.

[@backyardbuilttrucks1]

Just went thru this with 2 Verge remans from Oreillys for TH350/400

[@BroaderPerformance]

I wonder if a lot of these converters arent actually coming out of the same place and getting relabeled.

[@gbgn1]

Looks like a Dayco, wouldn't surprise me..

[@BroaderPerformance]

I think Dayco got bought by Transtar.

[@snicks50]

Wow I have never seen on that bed yet. I have seen a lot of them out of balance. Most are In just normal daily drivers if you run them at higher RPM's. This one was just plane not welded right and also must have missed inspection at the plant.

[@BroaderPerformance]

I'd say it's one of the worst I have ever seen.

[@BillyWillicker]

I can tell by the wear pattern on the neck that it's not straight. If you need a straight converter, call Jim Gillece.

[@BroaderPerformance]

They need to be a lot more than just straight. Thanks for watching.

[@BillyWillicker]

@@BroaderPerformance Absolutely, but that's the most important part. You can use all the best parts but if it isn't straight, it won't last.

[@jamesgeorge4874]

My answer, Yes.

[@captainschannel9331]

😎🏴‍☠️

[@stevenwright2476]

A Pubic Hair is 3 Thousandths

[@BroaderPerformance]

How about a red one? Haha

[@treyrags]

Unless you're a redhead 😂

[@BroaderPerformance]

Alright somebody got that one. Haha

[@magna116]

Shut up and balance it!!!

[@hankclingingsmith8707]

Torco

[@seemangal123]

So long to explain 😮

[@BroaderPerformance]

Fast forward feature works great if you dont like detail.

[@hankclingingsmith8707]

Geeeeze 10 minutes of Bs

[@logicVSpassion]

Too long of a video for the topic

[@BroaderPerformance]

Thats why God invented the fast forward button. All kidding aside you may have missed the point of the exercise. The real goal was to show the process of checking a converter and diagnosing a problem. I did it live so it did take a bit.

[@justintrest]

I for one enjoyed the video. Nothing better than hearing a professional explain his craft. I watched every second and enjoyed every second. Very helpful