I just got my transmission back from the shop. [stock th400-pontiac] Before I loaded it up to take it home I noticed it has a 6 bolt hole torque converter not the normal 3-hole torque converter that I’m used to seeing. When I ask the mech. if he have given me the wrong converter, he tell me "oh that’s a better one- it for a heavy duty trans. and will work-better than the others"
So did I just get sold a bill of goods or is this guy for real?
If this torque converter with 6 bolt holes is ok, and I only install just the normal three bolts (out of six) to the flywheel(3-hole) will this converter knock without having all six bolts installed and tighten?
Will this style converter still be/have the stock stall speed? Is there any why to cheek the stall speed before I install the trans.?
Or do I just wait on the tran's install and get a more familiar and trust worthy converter, like an after market(tci, b&m )? What’s a good stall for a highway cruiser that sees less than 5000 miles a year with 400 motor and stock gears and tires?
I know I have asked a lot of questions, but I really don’t want to reinstall this transmission more than once!
i have heard of performance converters with 6 holes. they are all 6 supposed to be used. there is probably a performance flexplate to go with it, although i think drilling new holes in the old fexplate is acceptable also.
i dont know enough about it really. i would maybe try to get him to take it back and give you a regular one. perhaps it would be cheaper too. or at least ask him some more questions about it.
there is the possibility it is a universal converter, to fit more than one flexplate, but i have never heard of that. i wouldn't want to use only half the holes, with the other half touching the plate and not bolted to it. dont know why... it just doesnt seem right. i'd rather machine in some more holes for it.
stock converter is probably in the 1800 rpm stall range. i dont know of any way to check it. you want to stick with that unless you have a low rear gear (high number) and a hot cam... or so i have read.
try to find out who makes it, and do some research through them, and the guy who you got it from. maybe it's worth drilling the holes.