was running the car the other day and after a hard run i brought it back in tha garage and it sounded like it was making a unconsistant rattling noise from inside the bell housing of the trans. i used a stethascope, Think i might have a cracked flywheel. Hoping to get the car in the air but havent had the time latley. started it today and moved it out to take the tractor out. When i shut her down she even made a crunk or a click when the motor stopped. need to get underneith and take a look but wondering if anyone else has every cracked a nailhead flywheel. i was only under 7psi boost but she was building alot of torque!!! paul 66larkgs skylark 401 turbo nailhead http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/ad19/66larkgs/meandcat.jpg
look at your starter too mine was to close or if they dont pull back all the way, it too sounds like a kind of a knock
I think the weakest point in your whole combination is the torque converter. I remember Mark (?) that has the blown Riviera had issues with the same thing. You might have a bearing or something going out. With that boost, you are probably in line for an upgrade there. Sumthin' to check into anyway. Erik
well BAD NEWS!!! not the flex plate, loose bolts or a torque convertor, I split the bell housing on the th400 in half!!! must be building some power... now i am considering getting another th400 or switching to stick and building a six speed and finding someone who make the adapter so i can bolt a chevy bellhousing. Love to hear some opinions.. i am already set up for a automatic so it would be easier but is thier one that can handle 700ft lbs torque?? where is tommy ivo when you need him!!! Paul 66larkgs turbo 401 nailhead
the good news your making mega power. when you pull it apart check the tranny mount and the drive shaft could be to long, also the dowell pins and tranny bolts. motor mounts ?. just throwing some ideals out there, seems like some thing might be a little off. hope you get it going soon thats one hell of a car, good luck. would a aluminum one be stronger??
Awwwww, every body knows that you cant make a nailhead make any power,,,:Brow: :Brow: :Brow: Sorry that you busted a trans,,, but it is amusing that you took one of those weak, underpowered, nailheads and got that much power out of it.... it is hard to tear out a automatic trans.... they are tough.... Keep on, brother, you doing good.....:laugh:
well priced out parts and it will be about $1000.00 when said and done. i was wondering how those adapters work. besides the adapter on the bellhousing do they bump out the flexplate with a spacer so the torque convertor doesnt come out to far when bolted in. i can say the buick will be out of commission for a few weeks until i get the 53 pickup painted and done for may 19. after that i will be able to start putting money toward the lark again and get it in some paint. i hopefully will i have time to pull the trans out on sat. Paul 66lark turbo 401 nailhead
I have a 700R4 in my nailhead-powered Chevy pickup. The flexplate remains where it is. There is a crankshaft extension that allows for the thickness of the adapter. A triangular plate attaches to the extension to connect to the converter. My adapter came from Brendtsens'. I could not stand the 10 lb steel crank extension and had Rob Gerioux of Precision Billet Designs make me a 3 lb extension out of high-strength Aluminum. The adapter will space the engine forward or the tranny rearward. Take your choice.
I have been looking and Brendtsens seems like the best on the market. i am hoping that the setup can handle the extra power.. worst comes to worst if they are still running the big heavy extension i will see about the machine shop making me one. i was looking into running a different trans but i am going to stay with the th400 and bolt up the ultra bell. Atleast this way if i choose to go to a different trans in the buick i can alway bolt the th400 in my 53 pickup. Paul 66lark turbo 401 nailhead
Paul I am running the Brendtsen adapter on the dragster. We have yet to have any issues. I would think we have put it through quite the test with several 1.06+ -60' times. show us some pictures of the damage.
i will getting some pictures online in a day or two..battery is charging for the camera and going to the redsox tomorrow after work so sat morning before i take the trans out i will take pictures of the cracked trans and some updated pictures of my dash, center console that i just restored. do you run the steel adapter that john was talking about in the dragster? the trans broke from the pass side to the drivers side. after looking at it i thought that was weird, could a bellhousing brake if the trans crossmember was a 1/2 higher. my engine is at 3degrees angle with the angle gauge on the intake flange. i ussally set up my engines between 3-4 degrees and never had a issue. After everything i have looked at i think it was just crap luck that it broke and maybe the amount of torque i am putting down had something to do with it. Paul 66larkgs turbo 401 nailhead
Paul, What kind of mounts did you use? A solid transmission mount subjects the trans to the forces acting on the chassis. I know the TH/ST 400s are used regularly in heavy cars with over 1000 HP/TQ. Cheryl
Paul we have been using the heavier steel hub in the dragster. All bolts were tight when we took it apart. Everything still looked like new:TU: . We will be transferring the adapter assembly over to the twin engine 34 Ford pick-up at some point this summer:Brow: . Will be waiting to see those pictures. Have fun at the game:grin:
