New bolt pads for torque converter bolts

[diesel-xj]

Hi not really sure where to post this. I am trying to hook a AW4 transmission to a Benz diesel. I need to get some new mounting bolt pads welded to the AW4 torque converter. From what i understand if you DIY weld these, it will burn the paper liner in the converter, and it will fail. I was told the correct way to do this is to open the converter, and weld the new pads on, then close the converter back up. So far I have not been able to find a shop that can do this for a AW4. All the shops I have talked to say they don't have the fixture to balance the AW4 torque conveter.
So I am looking for a good AW4 transmission shop or a good torque converter shop? Any help would be great.
I saw a fellow that welded his own pads on, and his converter failed quick. Also saw a mechanical adapter that failed.

thanks

 

[MoparManiac]

I don't know much about converters but why would you need to balance it?

Isn't the 4.0 internally balanced?

 

[XJLI]

Isn't the 4.0 internally balanced?

yesm, and its an inline 6 so its naturally balanced.

 

[vetteboy]

I don't know much about converters but why would you need to balance it?

Isn't the 4.0 internally balanced?

Right, which means anything you bolt on the outside of it, needs to be balanced to itself as well.

 

[Shorty]

Right, which means anything you bolt on the outside of it, needs to be balanced to itself as well.

xactly^^

you would be introducing vibrations into the drive line if the added weight wasn't balanced. This will absolutely kill the front pump and input shaft bearings in short order.

 

[vetteboy]

Maybe I'm missing something, but wouldn't it be much easier to redrill/modify the flexplate instead?

 

[MoparManiac]

Ah makes sense now thanks guys.

 

[XJLI]

interesting factz.

 

[5-90]

Any particular reason you can't redrill the flexplate instead? Seems to me to be the simpler solution.

 

[diesel-xj]

Hello thank for the replies. The reason not to drill the flywheel and flex plate are basic fitment. the bolt pattern on the aw4 torque converter is a bit larger diameter than the MB flywheel flexplate. If I drill the MB flywheel, 2 of the holes will be on the balance weights, and 2 off, also very near the ring gear. It could maybe work with spacers, not ideal in my opinion The MB flex plate has 6 bolts in a triangle shape, 2 bolts per corner. The AW4 has 4 bolts in a square. So a whole new flex plate would have to be fabbed, or the Jeep flex plate could be modded for the new crank bolt pattern. I have thought to drill the flywheel, and put on a new flex plate. But it would be very easy to just have the converter modified, as it is already sitting on the floor. Unfortunately I am away from home at work for another month. What I am really looking for is a good torque converter shop that can weld the new lugs on the AW4 converter. So when I get home, just put the MB flex plate , and the AW4 converter in a box and UPS it to a shop and be finished. This has already been done successfully for a 700r4 trans. but again the guy that does the 700R4, is not set up to do the AW4 . So if anyone knows of a good torque converter shop for the AW4 that is what I am after.

thanks again for your comments

 

[zluster]

Hello thank for the replies. The reason not to drill the flywheel and flex plate are basic fitment. the bolt pattern on the aw4 torque converter is a bit larger diameter than the MB flywheel flexplate. If I drill the MB flywheel, 2 of the holes will be on the balance weights, and 2 off, also very near the ring gear. It could maybe work with spacers, not ideal in my opinion The MB flex plate has 6 bolts in a triangle shape, 2 bolts per corner. The AW4 has 4 bolts in a square. So a whole new flex plate would have to be fabbed, or the Jeep flex plate could be modded for the new crank bolt pattern. I have thought to drill the flywheel, and put on a new flex plate. But it would be very easy to just have the converter modified, as it is already sitting on the floor. Unfortunately I am away from home at work for another month. What I am really looking for is a good torque converter shop that can weld the new lugs on the AW4 converter. So when I get home, just put the MB flex plate , and the AW4 converter in a box and UPS it to a shop and be finished. This has already been done successfully for a 700r4 trans. but again the guy that does the 700R4, is not set up to do the AW4 . So if anyone knows of a good torque converter shop for the AW4 that is what I am after.

thanks again for your comments

I would talk to Ron @ Suncoast custom torque converters:
http://www.suncoastconverters.com/

He is the one who made a custom TC for our Liberty Turbo diesels, he also worked with us KJ CRD owners to crack the TCM and clone it from my unflashed TCM. I think he might be the best bet for modifying a TC, he could probably even change the stall speed and other things, might cost you a pretty penny, but he might be able to do it.

 

[diesel-xj]

thanks zluster. I will try and see what he has to say

 

[diesel-xj]

TCI said NO Dice. they just won't work on the AW4. So any other sugestions

thanks