Autos and Exhuast Brakes

[Steve G]

Seems to me a while ago I remember a article about using exhaust brakes with auto trannies and that they were not recommended because they could damage the transmission. I've looked all over and can't find it. Could someone enlighten me on this?



Thanks,

Steve

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I asked a similar question to Mass Diesel, he has one in his truck and he knows his stuff, try emailing him.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Steve,



I had a 97 3500, 12 valve, auto with a PacBrake on it for nearly 70,000 miles towing a 5th wheel at max GCW all over the western US--no problems. I had a manual switch to hold it in torque converter lockup when using the PacBrake. The only disadvantage is once you put it in a gear(3rd/direct, for example) with the TC locked, you were "stuck" in that gear all the way down the hill.



The problem is that a large amount of heat is generated in the transmission with the factory torque converter unlocked with the exhaust brake on. When ever you take your foot off the throttle, the torque converter unlocks unless you override it. That's why it isn't recommended to use an exhaust brake on an auto trans truck.



If I were you, I would talk to Bill K about possible transmission mods for using an exhaust brake since you already have some of his products in your transmission.



Bill

 

[Batman]

Steve

I agree with above, just drove Massdiesels truck this past Sat for the second time. Man that e-brake is great. I would also try to contact Bill K. (as suggested above), when I asked DTT a couple months back about an e-brake, they suggested to me to go with a pacbrake and a smart controller. I will be getting one soon.

HTH

 

[Steve G]

Thanks all. I thought I remembered something like that but I sometimes suffer from CRS. I also found out exactly what I was looking for in issue 33 pg 105. I just got around to reading it Sat. night at work. I've got to start reading it sooner.



Steve