Power Glide converter ?

rod · 05-02-2021, 11:23 PM

stock factory converter...is there any difference between a 6cyl and a V8 converter? size looks to be the same. how about stall or fin angle.
I have 4, of which I am going to sell 3 to a trans co. 1 is an air cooled 6cyl. others, not sure without pulling the input. and I dont want to do that if there is no difference between the 4.
just looking for 1 that might be out of the ordinary.
thanks Rod in AZ

ImBack · 05-03-2021, 04:49 PM

Not too sure I know years ago people ran opel converters because they stalled higher this was back in the 80s.

Markeracer · 05-03-2021, 10:03 PM

We ran 6 cylinder PG converters in our bracket car in the early 70s. Was good for about 2500 with a 396-325 engine. Chiseled off the heat/cooling shield.

Mark Yacavone · 05-04-2021, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImBack

Not too sure I know years ago people ran opel converters because they stalled higher this was back in the 80s.

Opel 8" converters have been used since about 1969..See the Lambeck /Ripes connection.. However , they weren't close to bolting into anything, besides a Opel
You may be thinking of the Vega converter. Piece of junk, but what would you expect?

Henrys Toy · 05-04-2021, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

Opel 8" converters have been used since about 1969..See the Lambeck /Ripes connection.. However , they weren't close to bolting into anything, besides a Opel
You may be thinking of the Vega converter. Piece of junk, but what would you expect?

Mark you are correct about the Opel converters. The Vega converters also needed some TLC, if my memory servers me right. I also broke both of my Vega converters behind and pretty tame 350 S.B. Chevy engine without a trans brake. Anything can be made to "work" but the internals won't take a bunch of abuse. So if you can get one cut open and beefed up - you might just as well purchase a quality converter, and be done with it!
Any OEM 13" is only worth something to (maybe) a collector for a restoration project.

jmantle · 05-04-2021, 06:48 PM

4 cylinder and smaller 6 cylinder engines came with an 11" converter, V8's and some bigger 6's came with a 12". All air cooled ones were 11". Way back we used the 6 cylinder ones for a higher stall before the Vega ones came out. Vega ones worked good behind a big block but had a very short life.

Jim Mantle V/SA 6632

Mark Yacavone · 05-04-2021, 06:48 PM

Actually, I should have stated that the Opel converter was from the T180, which was also used in many small engine RWD cars , including the Chevette.. none of which could be used for racing, without extensive modifications.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbo-Hydramatic_180

ImBack · 05-04-2021, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

Opel 8" converters have been used since about 1969..See the Lambeck /Ripes connection.. However , they weren't close to bolting into anything, besides a Opel
You may be thinking of the Vega
converter. Piece of junk, but what would you expect?

Yep your right Vega converter

05-02-2021, 11:23 PM	#1
rod Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kingman, NW AZ. in the middle of the longest stretch of Route 66 Posts: 306 Likes: 0 Liked 17 Times in 13 Posts	Power Glide converter ? stock factory converter...is there any difference between a 6cyl and a V8 converter? size looks to be the same. how about stall or fin angle. I have 4, of which I am going to sell 3 to a trans co. 1 is an air cooled 6cyl. others, not sure without pulling the input. and I dont want to do that if there is no difference between the 4. just looking for 1 that might be out of the ordinary. thanks Rod in AZ

05-03-2021, 04:49 PM	#2
ImBack Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Posts: 27 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Power Glide converter ? Not too sure I know years ago people ran opel converters because they stalled higher this was back in the 80s.

05-03-2021, 10:03 PM	#3
Markeracer Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 77 Likes: 10 Liked 69 Times in 28 Posts	Re: Power Glide converter ? We ran 6 cylinder PG converters in our bracket car in the early 70s. Was good for about 2500 with a 396-325 engine. Chiseled off the heat/cooling shield.

05-04-2021, 06:48 PM	#6
jmantle Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Black Creek, BC Canada Posts: 312 Likes: 62 Liked 137 Times in 67 Posts	Re: Power Glide converter ? 4 cylinder and smaller 6 cylinder engines came with an 11" converter, V8's and some bigger 6's came with a 12". All air cooled ones were 11". Way back we used the 6 cylinder ones for a higher stall before the Vega ones came out. Vega ones worked good behind a big block but had a very short life. Jim Mantle V/SA 6632 __________________ Jim Mantle V/SA 6632

05-04-2021, 06:48 PM	#7
Mark Yacavone Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Miles From Nowhere Posts: 7,414 Likes: 2,581 Liked 4,447 Times in 1,693 Posts	Re: Power Glide converter ? Actually, I should have stated that the Opel converter was from the T180, which was also used in many small engine RWD cars , including the Chevette.. none of which could be used for racing, without extensive modifications. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbo-Hydramatic_180 __________________ We are lucky we don't get as much Government as we pay for..... Will Rogers