Do Torque Converters break in?

[1969mach1351]

I recently put in a 2200-2400 stall converter in and after making a few 1/4 mile passes the car barely moves at idle. Before the track I could drive normal and almost not notice the higher stall. Now it must be at 2K or higher to get it to move faster than it does at idle. Is this normal?

 

[Ronstang]

It is because the fluid had gotten hot.

 

[1969mach1351]

Do you mean in the converter? I have a tranny temp gauge reading from the pan and it doesn't get above 165 degrees. Isn't 165 pretty low?

 

[Ronstang]

When you start the car it is at ambient temp and thicker than it is when it reaches operating temperature thus the converter "feels" tighter when the fluid is cold.

 

[Hydrocarbon]

Doesn't sound right....maybe your transmission is slipping from the higher strain of launching with the higher stall converter?

Check your fluid level, and smell it. If it smells burnt your fluid got too hot, and your clutches maybe slipping.

 

[1969mach1351]

I drove the car this morning...It was starting in 3rd gear, it was just slipping to 2K which made it feel like the converter. At the track I shift it manualy and works fine that way. Put 1/2 a quart of AT fluid in it and it works fine now.