360 Mopar Help

I need a bit of an education on 36o dodge engines,
I have a 1973 360 that I am installing in my 54 dodge,
I have bought a 727 and a converter from a guy that is saying he had it behind a 70 340 ,
my 360 is externally balanced, what do i need to do to run this converter, how can io tell if this converter was behind a 340,, or is there even a difference, I see Summit sell balanced flexplates for 360 mopars, is that the answer?
any help would be appreciated,
Thanks
Al

 

A 360 factory convertor had a weight welded to it. The weighted flywheel is likely your answer.

 

It can be a major guess when looking at weights on the converter unless you know what you are looking for. Some of the 'zero' balance converters have weights in order to get to zero. If you have a 'known' part then comparisons are a bit easier. If your converter has no weight and no evidence of any weights then you can make a fair ***umption.
If you are unsure of the converter, show it to a local rebuilder (if you have one). If you use the B&M flexplate #10236 but don't need it (cast crank converter), then you will have the same vibration as if you used an internal balanced converter and stock plate. Yes, MotherMopar could have had a better system.

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360 converter in a 727 used a big "****erfly" shaped weight. The converter was a smaller one than used in big blocks.

If you're looking to get a stock converter, just get a rebuilt one for that year/engine/trans application from a transmission shop. Also beware that they went to lockup converters around 1977.

 

This might also be the time to add a part-throttle downshift kit to the transmission. I don't think that feature had been incorporated into the 1970 model Torquflites. Direct Connection used to sell a simple kit to add this and maybe some of the trans parts supply houses did as well. Made things a lot more driveable in town by allowing a part-throttle downshift instead of having to "mat" the pedal for a p***ing gear downshift.

EDIT TO ADD:

According to this Wikipedia page, you may already have part throttle downshift.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TorqueFlite

"...In 1968, part-throttle downshift functionality was added to A-904 transmissions used with 6-cylinder engines. This feature permitted the transmission to shift from third to second gear in response to moderate accelerator pressure. Previously, an automatic 3-2 downshift occurred only if the driver pushed the accelerator to the floor. This change was made to maintain acceptable in-town performance with taller final-drive ratios in the rear axle — 2.76:1 rear axle gears were being furnished in applications previously equipped with 2.93:1 or 3.23:1 ge****ts. Part-throttle downshift functionality was extended to V8 A-904s in 1969, and to most A-727 transmissions in 1970 to 1971."

 

Yes use a 72 and up valve body for part throttle down shift. Put a 5.0 kick down lever in to so you can chirp second. The 340 converter is a neutral balance. I've used the B&M flex plates for the 360. They work great.