So this is only partly Buick related. I have a long tail TH400 with converter sitting in the garage, I pulled it out of a rusted out 1970 Electra 225 about 10 years ago. I put the electra’s 455 in my skylark, where it resides to this day........ So, a few years ago I picked up an 89 GMC V3500 1 ton squarebody dump truck. Its a 350/TH400/4.10 truck. The converter is not a stock unit, it was replaced at some point. It is very sloppy, feels like a high stall unit almost. On any hill, or with any load, the engine revs up and I end up with more noise than acceleration. I am thinking this is just a generic parts store converter, not matched to the truck. I have been thinking about grabbing the 1970 electra’s converter that I have in the garage, and putting it in the dump truck. Does anyone know if this would NOT work, or any reason to not try this? Once I get this sorted out, I would like to use the GMC to pull my buick to/from the dragstrip. Thanks!
Getting the right converter for each application can be tricky. What a truck needs is not what car needs. But it sounds like it might be a better match. might try calling some of the converter companies and see what they say. Not a huge fan of tci or b&m Heard lots of good from coan, ultimate converters, ck performance, and a place out of Texas called Jakes.
Your Electra converter is a GM-1 if I recall correctly, and that 13" unit should be about the tightest converter that was available from GM. Should work fine in your dump truck, I towed a 10,000 lbs enclosed race car trailer for years with one. Issue that your going to have is that the electra converter is a Buick unit, with 3 mounting pads, your Chev probably has 6, with different spacing. Also, that is not an expensive converter, and it would not be bad idea if your going to all trouble, to put a fresh one in there. Maybe $125 or so from your local trans shop, they should have one in stock or should be able to get one in a day or two from the nearest rebuilder. If they want some ridiculous price for one, give me a ring, I can get one for you. Remember, converter are like furniture.. stupid markup from the big converter guys. Your paying $500 for the box with their name on it, trust me, I have seen them cut open. JW
Thanks Jim! I replaced the TBI 350 engine last year, and was surprised to find that it had a 3 bolt converter in it already, I was expecting to find a 6 bolt setup. Once I get the converter out, I’ll compare it to the one from the electra to see if that style will work. There are a couple trans shops in the area, I will check on prices, I was not aware they were available at that low of a price. As a side note.... The new TBI 350 is all fine and good, but I should have stuffed at 455 in it, like I did with my old 85 C20 that I drove to the 1st BPG Nats...... That small block works OK when running empty, but it really struggles in these hills when running loaded......
