727 Torque Converter Balance Weights

[kdsmax]

I'm installing a TCI Street fighter 727 Transmission and am looking to replace the torque converter with one off of TCI's web site.
 
The car is a 72 Charger with a 76 - 400BB and had a rebuilt 727 in it with a manual valve body that loved to pop out of third gear to second.   Hence it blew the front band apart.  

Anyway when I look at their converters it has a note "It is very important when replacing Chrysler torque converters that the correct balance weight be used on your new converters” Since this is already a mixed and matched setup how important it this and also how do I know if the existing converter has the proper weights to begin with?

Would love some input if you know.   Every time I read about the weights I feel like a deer in the head lights

Thanks Ken

[Chryco Psycho]

Welcome 
You Must have the weights on the converter with a Cast crank 400 ro you can hurt the brgs , the other option is to use a B&M balanced flex plate & leave the weights off the converter , the weights shouls be between 3/16 & 1/4 " thick & around 1.5" long

[cudaken]

 Welcome from me as well. Not sure I would use TCI again. Have one in my 70 383 Cuda and have no problems with it. Friend of mine use to swear by them, not I said use to. Started to have a lot of problems with there converters. Rich was buy 2 to 8 a month from them. Called them up asd ashed about the failuer rates he was having. They said they where having a 10% failure rate and that was OK with them? Rich went to B&M after that call.

90% work, guess in school a B+ was fine for the owner. But when you have to drop the transmission replaces the converter I rather have a A+.

                             Cuda Ken

[kdsmax]

Thanks Guys and Gals,
Just like to be politically correct here.  I agree with cudaken's assessment and I definitely don't want to be bench pressing this off my chest if I got one of the 10% bad converters.   After dropping this one this weekend I forgot what a joy it was to get it off my chest. 

  What I'm getting from these replies is that there is a known set weight used when you’re using a cast crank shaft on a 400 and a different known weight for say a 440, 383, and/or a 340??? Is this correct?  If so does any one know what the weight should be?  Can anyone recommend a decent converter to use or just use the one I have after I get it flushed?   The engine is pretty much stock for now with no cam, but I plan on pulling it this winter and stroking it to a 351 and would like to get a couple of more drives in before the flakes fall in NY.   

[firefighter3931]

Hi KD, first off welcome to the site.  

Cast crank externally balanced engines require weighted torque converters. Forged crank internally balanced engines require a neutral balance converter which has no weights. The weights themselves are two strips of metal that are spot welded onto the converter....that is how you can identify an externally balanced converter. The converters themselves are identical other than the weights being added for a cast crank combo.

So, with a cast crank engine you need an externally balanced converter. B&M makes a special flexplate which is designed for use on a cast crank motor with a neutral balance converter. So, if you aquire a converter for a steel crank (internal balance) engine you can still use it (with this flexplate) on your cast crank motor.

As for converters, i've had good success with turbo action and dynamic converters. Turbo action makes a nice 11in street converter that would be ideal for your car. The "street hemi" 11in works very well and will be compatible with further upgrades should you decide to go that route. Converters are one part where "you get what you pay for". You don't want to skimp out in this area....

Ron

[RD]

you can get the weights, if you do not want to change your flexplate, from any mopar source or your chrysler dealership.  There will be instructions in the package on where to weld the weights onto your converter.

[cudaken]

 If you are cheap like me, see if you can find a 74 Police Convter. Will be a bolt in and has a 2400 stall. I have one in my 69 Charger (Counter weights where knocked off) and works well with a mild big block. All most as lose as the TCI in the Cuda. Oh, best part, $50.00 from a Tran's supplyer ware house.


                                            Cuda Ken