Got a rebuilt th-400 friend had in storage long time, is this a switch pitch converter? Pic didn't load, it's stamped PAE 1000 dated 10-07
Jim Weise posted this excellent sticky quite awhile ago. The pictures will enable anyone to ID a switch pitch transmission and/or converter. http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?143723-VP-converter-Trans-visual-ID-guide BTW, most times when you have trouble posting pictures, they are too large to post and won't load because of that.
After finding this thread on another forum, I may need a another sp converter http://www.cadillacpower.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=100918
Yup, ancient history. PAE converters weren't the best. Just ask Jim Weise, he is the author of that post (TSP JIM). I have one of JW's 12" converters in my SP. I have the original 13" converter in my garage. It is an original GM unit. The stall speeds are around 2100/1100 I think.
ok might of got lucky, i have the original switch pitch 13 inch converter also, what stall speeds aprox, behind a stockish 70 455, w a 214/224 on 112 cam?
With that small of a cam, the 13" unit should work fine for you, as long as the car is properly tuned. That's roughly a Factory STG 1 cam spec. Don't expect a lot of difference in low/high stall, it's only about 600 rpm in the big converters. Most of them I have worked with stall about 1800 rpm in high. The 12" converter is the performance unit, with almost 1200 rpm difference between the stall speeds, and it's 7 pounds lighter to boot. Getting hard to find cores, I am out as of now.. so if you want one of those, you need to go core hunting. They are still around. Use the info in the sticky that Larry posted to ID one in a wrecking yard. 65-67 mid size Buick's and Olds with the 2 speed ST 300 trans was the original application. JW
any chance of refreshening this thread? I have a switch pitch and a gear vendor overdrive I have a shuddering that comes in at 1900 rpm and is a lot less noticeable past 2300rpm, it has gotten progressively worse over the past 1000 miles, the shudder lasts about two seconds then goes away for 2 seconds then repeats, I have positively eliminated everything as possible cause except new th 400 trans, new switch pitch converter, and new gearvendor overdrive. Any suggestions Im pulling my hair out not to mention benjamins out of billfold. most I have spoken with in relation to a regular converter say this doesn't sound like a converter problem, however haven't spoke with a true SP person yet
Doesn't sound like a converter problem to me. Can you recreate the problem in Park/Neutral by revving the engine to 1900 RPM? One thing you can try is unbolting all 3 converter to flex plate bolts and rotating the converter to the next bolt hole and then bolt it up. You can also push the converter back and run the engine that way to see if the shudder is still there.
Have done these things you mention, didn't want to bore readers with all ive been through but as I say every possible other component has been eliminated, park and neutral do not shudder thnx for your reply ,pushed converter back as you suggest results are silky smooth.
came in the car cant see any writing or tag ,only know that it is new, would love to find and speak with a very knowledgable SP person one company mentioned on a similar post, phone numbers no longer good.
Jim Weise is very familiar with the switch pitch. http://www.trishieldperformance.com/th-400.html 320-629-8999 http://www.v8buick.com/member.php?11-Jim-Weise
thnx larry hopefully I can speak with ken tomorrow, let me ask in the event that I swap out this converter on this daily driver slash seldom raced car,not interested in it being 1/2 a second faster in quarter and compromise comfort and ease, what converter would you recommend for this car man I love this SP lets you make a little exhaust noise in parade and hit highway and cruise like grandma.
Not Ken, Jim Weise. He is the guy that launched v8buick.com. He is the guy who built my engine. He has switch pitch converters for sale. Call him and talk to him. He has 13" converters, but the 12" ones are better, and more in demand. See what he has available. If the converter in your car is not a PAE unit, Jim may be able to open it and see what is wrong, and/or rebuild it. Call him.
Larry's right. Jim W is probably the best go to guy on SP converters and transmissions. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hi Sorry I missed your call yesterday.. busy time of year around here, and with machinery running, sometimes the phone gets missed. As Larry said, a shuttering ( on/off/on/off power application) would be a very unusual converter issue. I supposed it is possible while under acceleration, if the sprag is slipping in the converter. Never seen this before, but theoretically possible. This would only be under acceleration. If you feel this while cruising, then it could be a simple vibration.. And any converter re-manufacturer that has a balancer could verify the balance for you. If the unit in questing is a Poston/PAE rebuild, then it is a paperweight. The threads above will explain why. You will need to source a new core, I am out of them right now. I do still rebuild the 12" version of that converter, modify them to the max allowable fin angles for high stall use, and fully silicon bronze tig weld the fins, along with new bushings and bearings, and of course machine welding and balancing. Cost is $399 for the build from your core. Best to PM me or email.. I am in and out of the shop a lot, also often cannot hear the phone/or have my hands full.. I keep saying I need a hot 18 year old female to answer the phone, but my g/f seems to have an issue with that.. can't imagine why.. :Brow: jim@trishieldperformance.com JW
thought I would follow up a little converter was acting a little different lately along with a vibration pulled a drain plug on bottom drained 2 ozs oil had 7 very small metal fragments after pouring that fluid through a white paper towel, I am currently in the care of Jim Weise.
