16 replies to this topic

[Bill Hincher]

the RWD can be done
I tried mounting a GM auto trans to the 6G72 but found the starter interfered with my steering linkage so I moved over to a C4 Ford and built a reverse starter system
  

  


I needed to build a flex plate so I got some HSLA commercial grade 1/8 in plate and marked the center with a small starter hole, you can see the original flex plate was built from 1/16th but its shape was fairly close
this machine is called a nibbler or pullmax style machine, it was built for making circles, but I also build my own dies for what ever purpose I want to use
a flex plate is just that, it flex's and its also like a spring, it gets pushed forward under load, the flex plate has to move about .060 so a bit of a bend not only keeps a little of pressure against the load but when you bend steel, you double its strength without adding weight  
  I opened the center hole so I could mount my adapter and then drilled it to accept the Ford C-4 torque converter and this was one of the reasons the C 4 was chosen, it has a 10.5 in bolt circle pattern, which was just small enough to fit inside the ring gear that was selected, the GM converter was 10.75 and would not fit
I mounted the flex plate to the coupler just for the center, then I trimmed the outer diameter to size for the ring gear
this is the finish look, I need to pay some attention to detail but I was pretty happy with it, with the smaller ( 10 in or smaller ) converter I will be mounting the starter as a reverse set up but I kept the ring gear on the flex plate so anyone could select and buy what ever stall speed converter they may want
  

Edited by Bill Hincher, 19 August 2011 - 11:52 AM.

[Bill Hincher]

I am very happy that all the idea's have come together this well up to this point, the only real obsticale at this piont is the starter mount, but I am sure that will be overcome
anytime you build a ridge into the metal, you have to straighten out the material , this is a punch converted to a shrinker using merchant jaws
  
this is a pass through flywheel bolt araingement, I have found ARP fasteners for the flywheel
  
I built a small die to add another bend in the flex plates at the mounting bolt area, notice the fit of the converter nose in the crankshaft coupler
    
this was a tight fit, it was a series of selected over counter parts that once bolted together everything fell into place
  
an inch is as good as a mile when you are in charge
    

Edited by Bill Hincher, 19 August 2011 - 11:53 AM.

[Bill Hincher]

I had to assemble the front pump to make sure of the final depth of the bellhousing
  
  
  you can see why the starter was located in the housing because everything was so tight but it all fits neatly
  
  
  I weld a while, cut a while, machine out a while and just keep doing it, over and over again
  

Edited by Bill Hincher, 19 August 2011 - 11:55 AM.

[hachi_destroyer]

you are the man. so much knowledge in one person. good work sir.

[Minagera]

Bill you always impress me in your threads.  I seriously just want to come linger in your shop for a while and learn.

[Bill Hincher]

I needed to fill in some panels just to keep the center's ridged
  
  
  
  
  

[Bill Hincher]

I just keep cutting, fitting ,welding and shaping the housing
  
  
  

[Skullzaflare]

when this is done, is there the chance you will allow a cast to be made of it, so we can buy them? lol

[Bill Hincher]

Skullzaflare, on 31 August 2011 - 10:21 PM, said:

when this is done, is there the chance you will allow a cast to be made of it, so we can buy them? lol

  here is your sign  

[DieHARDmitsu.]

Amazing work Bill!  that housing looks like a piece of space age art done with precision.
How many hours into this project already?

[Bill Hincher]

I havent been able to keep track of the hours, the problem is that I may spend 10 hours on something that just doesnt work, so I have to take it all back out and start over
I keep building and improving tools and ideas so it gets a littel easier every build

[Bag-O-Chips]

this might be a dumb question, but is the C4 Hydraulic or electronically controlled?

[Bill Hincher]

its old school, fully hydraulic, I will be building some electronic models later on

[Mingo1]

Damm thats nice and can't wait.

[Bill Hincher]

there is a difference in starter rotation that has been asked about , when you do a reverse starter application, its good to know you rotate the enging in the proper direction
    
I must have torn apart 50 starters looking for length and direction
    
I hated the first starter location, there were two problems with it, first in didnt set the starter between bellhousing bolt boses and relied on only one main bolt station to limlt and deflection in the starter, the other problem was special shifter linkage would have been required
  
because of the depth of the starter gear, I had a choice. build a custom gear or build the starter body right into the bellhousing, well I hate custom parts, all these parts are available over the counter so I spent the time to place the front of the starter pocket into the bellhousing
  
  
  
  

I shoul;d be filling it all in and getting it to casting this month

[Bill Hincher]

  
  

[neverfastenuff87tsi]

Bill, everytime i see a thread that you start i am truly amazed of the projects that you come up with! And I'm still trying to get out to see you. By the way, do you have a t-56 bellhousing laying around for a g54b conversion you would like to part with!