Stock Torque Converter Sources
 

Down to the final stretch where I have to decide to use the original 68 TC or get something else.

Is there a source for quality rebuilt, bone stock 13" converters? At this point I'd rather purchase one than send the old one out for a rebuild.

The market for OEM quality stock converters seems pretty slim.

Original has 100,000 miles and is potentially contaminated with organic debri. Has one mounting hole missing a couple of threads (not fatally so). Inside looks good, no water, no rust.

Not really looking for a $100 Ebay rebuild ... looking for something of reasonable quality from a reputable source, but bone stock stall speed and performance.

Just noticed that NAPA says it has a replacement 13" stock converter for about $100 ... the price is not a factor .... says it's rebuilt by "Pro-King Transmissions" ...went to their corporate website, big outfit, lots of claims about quality.

Surely it can't be that easy.

Preume it will be a generic torque converter updated to correct Original Equipment design flaws, but designed to work in stock applications at stock stall speeds.



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Parts store converters are a crap shoot for even working, I wouldn't ever take a chance like that, even with an older trans or low-po stock car.

I would take a shot at the Summit brand ones before I went to a parts store one, they make ones that use new internals and are balanced, 1700-2100 stall.

Or one of the TCI towing converters. I'd say the Street Rod ones, but they may stall a little higher, they say @ 1700. At least TCI has a predictable quality.

https://www.summitracing.com/search/...0-in_11-000-in

I don't think you're going to find many 13" converters, there's just not that many cores left. Not a biggie though, there's no real reason to specify a particular diameter.

Even if a converter is brand new, I strongly recommend at least 1 or 2 fluid changes in the first 1000 miles, first one is best to do within the 1st 100 miles or less.

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Pro-King is one of nine companies belonging to a large holding company with an integrated portfolio of brands including three other transmission and drivetrain sources.


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The TCI regular Saturday Night Special is the lowest choice that is furnace braised and hardened pump hub, rated at @ 2000 RPM stall:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/t...00-a/overview/

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Are you trying to not spend more than X money? What's your budget?

Obviously, you get what you pay for, for the most part. The TCI break-away is a good choice, but I always choose one with an anti-balloon plate for added confidence. But those are like $350-400.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/tci-240901/overview/



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Is a 12.5" and a 13" converter different? The stock stall converter I have is 12.5" and had stall speed of 1600-1800 rpm part number GM350.

I run this in my '72 LeMans with a 455 as a daily driver type car and it works well, doesn't stall very high.

My brother used the Saturday Night Special in his Chevelle when he rebuilt the drive-train to stock. When I drove the car I really could not discern much, if any, difference between it and a stock convertor. And it held up well even with two high school sons borrowing it once in a while.

Question for the discussion, are there modifications done to the fuel system, camshaft or other engine systems. If so then a smaller diameter torque converter might be beneficial.


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Hughes has torque converters that advertise tighter stall and better gas mileage than stock and the next one up is right at stock stall speeds with better mileage than stock

A company that has been in the bizz for a long time

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Hughes
YES, another fine source for this type application. John at the Speed Shop sells a lot of them for all around regular street use (not for his custom needs, for that he generally uses Lenny at UCC ).


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Walk into a salvage yard, grab one of the hundreds of torque converters littering the Transmission Shed, have a local shop flush the thing.

Or just have the one you already own flushed and checked for end-play.

That is, if you can find a trans shop that still has a flush cabinet.

More details ... engine is stock and will remain stock.

I was hoping for exactly the same as stock stall speed. Which I think is 1300.

Went by my local, rather large tranny shop that has been there for many years .. no flush cabinet.

Money is not a major concern ... but something $300 or less would be nice. Since this is a bone stock build, no need for anything fancy.

Hughes is on my short list.

Looked at the Hughes products ... seem like a good outfit ... what is a good source for them? They don't sell on their website and I checked Jegs and Summit and they don't show anything from Hughes for a 68 GTO.

"...At least TCI has a predictable quality..."

Not everybody will agree with that.

I had a bad experience with TCI way back, in the 20th century. Bought what they advertised as a full competition, reverse pattern TH400. Well, they were partially right. The shift pattern WAS reversed.

But, it still had a factory 16 element int sprag in it. My 455, which was VERY mild, by today's standards, broke that sprag on the very first 1-2 shift. I inquired of a local trans guy, who built trans for lots of area racers. When I told him what happened, he told me immediately that the sprag broke, and they probably used the stock sprag figuring my Pontiac engine would not have enuff power to break it. Wrong ! He swapped in what he called a 500 Cadillac sprag, & I had no more problems from that trans. All my TH400's since have been built by local guys, using the HD sprag.

Also bought a B&M Holeshot converter, thinking it would stall more than the 13" factory converters I'd been using. Could not tell one bit of difference in stall speed. Sold it to a Chevy guy. Always used factory Pontiac 13" converters in all my 455 bracket cars, in the '70's & 80's. Never had a single problem with any of 'em. They launched quick, from an 800 rpm idle, cutting good lights, & winning races.

Just curious. How many of you guys have broken 12 or 13" factory Pontiac converters ? :confused: Of those, how much torque did your engine have ?

Dacco/Transtar makes stock type replacement transmission parts and convertors

Sent from my SM-T817V using Tapatalk

Jegs sells Hughes if you filter search for a GTO no....
If you search Hughes TH400 you will get all what applies to your trans

And if you don't see what you want online call it still may be available

Just curious. How many of you guys have broken 12 or 13" factory Pontiac converters ? Of those, how much torque did your engine have ?

My stocker broke at idle at a stoplight. ... growling screeching stall went down to almost nill limped it home shutting off engine at lights mild 455

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PTC can get u what you want been using them in mild an stock applications