Converter Bolt Torque Spec???

[mopowers]

Does anyone know the torque spec for the larger 7/16-20 bolts that hold an aftermarket torque converter to the flexplate. The factory bolts were 5/16", so I can't use factory specs. I'm guessing I can use the same spec as the 7/16-20 bolts that hold the flexplate to the crankshaft. What do you guys think???

Thanks! I appreciate it.

 

[70aarcuda]

make sure you use some loctite on them

 

[bOb shingler]

I never use a torque wrench on them, just use red Loctite like mentioned above and tighten the pee out of them with a short wrench.

 

[clinteg]

I used the factory specs (22.5 ft-lbs from what I read here) on mine and even with red loctite they came loose within 100 miles. I called dynamic they said 40-45 ft-lbs. That's with the 5/16 bolts. Don't know if that really helps since you have 7/16 bolts. Know a lot of people that just "tighten the pi$$ out of them with loctite" and don't mess with torque wrenches.

 

[66fs]

65 ft lb for Hemi 7/16 torque converter bolts with Loctite, from the Chrysler Racing manual. Double check with converter manufacturer.

 

[66fs]

I used the factory specs (22.5 ft-lbs from what I read here) on mine and even with red loctite they came loose within 100 miles. I called dynamic they said 40-45 ft-lbs. That's with the 5/16 bolts. Don't know if that really helps since you have 7/16 bolts. Know a lot of people that just "tighten the pi$$ out of them with loctite" and don't mess with torque wrenches.

Good luck torqueing 5/16 bolts to 40 to 45 ft lb. I use 270 inch pounds with Loctite and have never had them come loose. Just like Chrysler says. 22.5 ft lb is the same as 270 in lb but the accuracy, plus or minus 5lb or some percentage, of the larger ft lb wrenches can make small values out of spec especially for small values.

 

[mopowers]

I used the factory specs (22.5 ft-lbs from what I read here) on mine and even with red loctite they came loose within 100 miles. I called dynamic they said 40-45 ft-lbs. That's with the 5/16 bolts. Don't know if that really helps since you have 7/16 bolts. Know a lot of people that just "tighten the pi$$ out of them with loctite" and don't mess with torque wrenches.

Your Dynamic converter uses 5/16" bolts?? Which converter did you end up going with. The reason I ask is because my converter is from Dynamic. I've got the 9.5" one and it uses 7/16" bolts on a 10" pattern.

 

[jefflock]

Go with the 65 pounds and I use blue loctite so they aren't such a bear to remove.

 

[mopowers]

Just got off the phone with ARP and Dynamic. They both recommended 85 ft/lbs with red loctite. Damn!!

 

[clinteg]

Your Dynamic converter uses 5/16" bolts?? Which converter did you end up going with. The reason I ask is because my converter is from Dynamic. I've got the 9.5" one and it uses 7/16" bolts on a 10" pattern.

So I thought it had the 5/16" bolts. Maybe it doesn't. I have their 8" converter and I just told them the setup I had and the bolts that came out of my Hughes converter and flex plate were the same size. I just took the bolts and installed them without even thinking about it. I had just assumed that factory and aftermarket converters use the same bolt size, which from what I am reading, they don't. If I have the 7/16" bolts, that explains why they loosened so quickly with that torque! :banghead: :violent1: What an idiot I am. So with that being said, what Dynamic had told me is probably right. 40-45 ft-lbs.

 

[clinteg]

Just got off the phone with ARP and Dynamic. They both recommended 85 ft/lbs with red loctite. Damn!!

Wait, Dynamic tells me 40-45 ft-lbs and then tell you 85 ft-lbs?!? WTH! That's a ton of difference.

 

[mopowers]

Wait, Dynamic tells me 40-45 ft-lbs and then tell you 85 ft-lbs?!? WTH! That's a ton of difference.

The stock 7/16-20 bolts that hold the flexplate to the crank are 55 ft-lbs and that's with a stock bolt. 40-45 seems way low. What bolts are you using??

I was just worried about stripping the lugs in the converter since the bolts are only 1/2" long and the flexplate is 1/8" That means there is only 3/8" of thread engagement.

 

[clinteg]

The stock 7/16-20 bolts that hold the flexplate to the crank are 55 ft-lbs and that's with a stock bolt. 40-45 seems way low. What bolts are you using??

I couldn't tell you what they are. They were already on the car when I bought it and I re-used them.

 

[mopowers]

Anyone have any tips for tightening the converter bolts by myself?? I tried butting a breaker bar on the front balancer bolt against the front frame rail but i couldn't get it to stay. I guess it's time to recruit a buddy unless you guys have any helpful hints. Thanks!

 

[Bad Sport]

Just got off the phone with ARP and Dynamic. They both recommended 85 ft/lbs with red loctite. Damn!!

For a 7/16 bolt! That seems excessive to me.