My 1986 Dodge D-150

[P72Ford]

Progress!

I will also second what Thain said; known issue that the sprag can fail and cause this type of carnage.

I watched a YT video of Uncle Tonys Garage one time, and he briefly went into details, but basically sprag failure is a possibility any time it is "shocked". When it fails the transmission free wheels at 2X engine RPM which is often enough to make a stock stamped front drum explode (from centripetal acceleration). Common failure scenarios include neutral drops, or a burnout starting in first, and then rapid release of the throttle are a relatively common cause of the failure.

[gadget73]

Thats the same video I saw, after the guy tried to do a burnout and the transmission puked in front of the shop.

[Kodachrome Wolf]

Hmmm... interesting failure form in that regard. Nothing like having a transmission physically explode.

What I remember being told was the husband was leaving a gas station and it just kinda quit moving forwards. Didn't mention any earth shattering kaboom, but hey, I wasn't there when it quit. I still kinda suspect the goofballs who "uninstalled it" are the ones who tore it up.


I also did a little reading and I think I know why the torque converter didn't just walk right up where it needs to go. The converter snout centers in the back of the crank bore. That bore has some surface rust in it due to how long it was exposed, and I bet it's not letting the snout slide in easily. I'll probably try shooting some penetrating lubricant up in there first and seeing if I can work it that way while working the converter back and forth, otherwise I'll need to back the transmission out again and clean the bore up with a wire wheel. Not great, not terrible.

Here's the rear crank bore for reference: