Starter Ring Gear Replacement

STARTER RING GEAR REPLACEMENT
NOTE 1: All lock-up torque converters, with starter
ring gears that require replacement, should be replaced
with a torque converter assembly. This is to
prevent lock-up friction material damage while welding
new ring gear in place.

NOTE 2: All non lock-up torque converters, with
starter ring gears that require replacement can have
the gear changed as per instructions below.
The starter ring gear is mounted directly on outer
diameter of the torque converter front cover. With
torque converter removed from vehicle, replacement
of the gear is as follows:

Removal






(1) Cut through weld material at rear side of ring gear with a hack saw or grinding wheel (Fig. 2). Be careful not to cut or grind into front cover stamping.
(2) Scribe a heavy line on front cover next to front face of ring gear to aid in locating the new gear.
(3) Support converter on front cover, adjacent to the lugs with blocks of wood to prevent altering lug position. The converter must not rest on the front cover hub during this operation. Using a blunt chisel or drift and a hammer, tap downward on ring gear near welded areas to break any remaining weld material (Fig. 2). Tap around ring gear until it comes off the converter.
(4) Smooth off weld areas on the cover with a file.

Installation

Any of the following methods may be used to heat and expand starter ring gear for installation on the converter:
Oven: Place ring gear in Oven and set temperature at 200 degrees F. (93 degrees Celsius). Allow ring gear to remain in oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
Boiling Water: Place ring gear in a shallow container, add water, and heat for approximately eight minutes after water has come to a boil.
Steam: Place ring gear on a flat surface and direct a steam flow around gear for approximately two minutes.
Flame: Place ring gear squarely on a flat surface. Using a medium size tip, direct a slow flame evenly around inner rim of the gear. Do not apply flame to the gear teeth. Place a few drops of water on face of gear at intervals during heating process. When gear is hot enough to just boil the water, installation of gear on the torque converter can be made.
(1) After ring gear is expanded by heating, place the gear in position on converter front cover. Tap gear on the cover evenly with a plastic or rawhide mallet until face of gear is even with scribed line (made during removal) on the front cover. Make sure gear is even with scribed line around full circumference of the front cover.
(2) Reweld ring gear to torque converter front cover, being careful to place, as nearly as possible, same amount of weld material in exactly same location as was used in original weld. This is necessary in order to maintain proper balance of the unit. Place welds alternately on opposite sides of converter to minimize distortion.
(3) The following suggestions are offered as an aid in making the weld:
a. Do not gas weld.
b. Use a D.C. welder that is set at straight polarity or an A.C. welder if the proper electrode is available.
c. Use a 1/8 inch diameter welding rod, and a welding current of 80 to 12 amps.
d. Direct the arc at intersection of the gear and front cover from an angle of 45 degrees from rear face of the gear.
(4) Inspect gear teeth and remove all nicks where metal is raised, weld metal splatter, etc., in order to ensure quiet starter operation.