727, converter swap, unknown history with weights (Sorry I'm NEW)

[69ISFINALLYMINE]

First of all I am new here as of today, and my recently purchased 69 Charger is my very first Mopar, but I have wanted a 69 charger since I was a kid. The problem is that I don't know much about them.  The car that I just bought is a 383 car with 727, both original to the car.  The previous owner changed out the converter to a high-stall unit somewhere in the 3,000 range so he says. I want to order a new one and get my parts in order so that I can change it out one weekend, but I came to realize that the 727 converters had balancing weights on them and you have a choice between 2 or 3 different options.  Looking online I can buy a converter with various weights, but how do I know which one I need for my car?  I thought that I would look at what I have now and order that, but how do I know that the previous owner knew what he was doing when he replaced the converter?  FYI, this motor was never apart and balanced in any way beyone what was done at the factory. Finally, does it solve everything if I order a converter without weights and buy the matching flexplate from them as well?  I am looking at the TCI 141500 converter and thought about calling TCI for tech help on this issue, but then I figured this would also be a great way to join this forum.

Any help is appreciated.  And please, go easy on me guys.  I have been working on Chevys and Fords my whole life, including flatheads, and I am just starting on Mopars (and loving every minute of it) and I already know that I need to LEARN before I can FLY.
P.S.  I just ran a spell checker and found it pretty ironic that it does not accept the work "Mopar" on this site!!!

Thanks,
Daran from NJ

[John_Kunkel]

Welcome to the board.

Your original 383 needs no weights on the converter.

The original '69 383-4 used an 11" converter (actually 10 3/4"), I believe the TCI 141500 is a 12" (actually 11 3/4") converter while the 141200 is the same 11" size as original and should fit the original flexplate. Their 141276 is the same as the 141200 but has larger drive bolts which needs a different flexplate.

[69ISFINALLYMINE]

Can you tell me when someone would be concerned about buying a converter with weights on it?  I see alot of talk on here about it, but it gets confusing to me. 

(I modified this post later and deleted the section that was here.  After visiting TCI's website I see that they do recommend a different flexplate if going with the 141500.  Thanks for clearing that up.  Would still like to know what applications DO have weights on converter from factory.)

Thanks for the quick reply John,

Daran

Welcome to the board.

Your original 383 needs no weights on the converter.

The original '69 383-4 used an 11" converter (actually 10 3/4"), I believe the TCI 141500 is a 12" (actually 11 3/4") converter while the 141200 is the same 11" size as original and should fit the original flexplate. Their 141276 is the same as the 141200 but has larger drive bolts which needs a different flexplate.

[John_Kunkel]

With the exception of the 318, all Mopar engines with cast cranks need external balance weights; these would include:

340....late '72-'73

360....all (even the Magnum)

383-2 automatic....'70-'71

400 with cast crank....'72-'78

440 with cast crank....'73-'78

The forged crank exceptions are the '70-'71 440 HP (and a handful of '72), their heavy connecting rods and pistons required external balance.

[69ISFINALLYMINE]

Thank you John.  This is exactly the kind of answer I was hoping for. 

Thanks for sticking with me on this thread.

Daran

[mikepmcs]

Hey, hey, welcome aboard

You found the right place for sure, ask away.

Tons of resident experts on many different areas here, and you just got an answer from one of them.



v/r
Mike