Bought a 1973 dodge dart with a spun bearing on the 318. tf904 tranny.

Transmission delayed shifting into drive. Only drove it about 15 feet before I pulled the motor and got a new one in. Rebuilt the tranny.

I am not sure if the torque converter is bad or if it was the tranny was worn out.

I am trying to buy a new torque converter while i have the transmission out.

I do not know the history of the car. It seems the engine was rebuilt and the transmission might be from a different year as it had "86" sharpied on the inside of the bell housing.

My issue is that in researched I have learned there are many different types of counter balances that go on the chrysler tc's. I don't know the history of what I have enough to make an educated purchase on a new torque converter.

What are the symptoms of a bad torque converter and is it worth it to just try to fill mine with new fluid and put it in and see if the freshened up tranny works? The clutch pack was pretty worn when i rebuilt it and the bands were slightly out of adjustment. No weird noises coming from the engine when it ran and drove other than the spun bearing.

If anyone has some opinions as to what steps I should take and look at to getting my dart on the road it would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advanced,
Corey

If anymore information is needed, which i assume it would be. Please ask.

 

This is a 318 LA or Magnum? 318 LA uses what is known as a "neutral balance" TC. There may be a small weight or two to balance the assembly, but nothing near as large as a 360 uses

I don't remember if this applies to 904s or only 727s but there were a "few years" where Ma made "lockup" converters which has a transmission shaft that is smooth for the first almost an inch, sort of like a pilot bushing journal on a stick trans

The "non lockup" transmissions are splined clear to the end

Also, I believe there is a spline change over the years. There are numbers stamped on the rail of the trans, if you do not know the year. This has a single? or triple? electrical connection on the neutral safety switch. A triple would be 69? and later, single would be 68? and earlier

 

318 la block from 85-86'

The NSS has 3 prongs.

So I want a non lock up torque converter that is the correct spline to my transmission? I can't remember exact #'s but it's either 26 or 27 splines correct?

The engine is bored .30 over mild cam, normal bolt on's intake exhaust kidney shaped swirl port heads from later model 318la. 650cfm carb.

Should I also check my splines on the transmission shaft to confirm whether it is lock up or nonlock up. (and confirm whether it applies to 727 only or 904 as well)

 

On the older lock up converters the input shaft is hollow for oil flow The valve body has a tube that goes across the valve body

 

If your going near stock with the engine.... Use an 1800-2200 Stall.. It will leave you a small amount of wiggle room.