1974 - 904 Transmission Reverse/Low Band

1974 - 904 Transmission Reverse/Low Band - ???

gwmax65 said
Hey Transman, I have a question on another subject if you could help shed some light I'd appreciate it much. I just found out I have another small block 318/225 slant six 904 high stall torque converter after searching up the written numbers & letters on the TQ -- It's the CR8H Torque Converter (non lock-up). I'm still learning about what high stall TQ's are all about. I'm wondering if you knew the exact stall rpm rating of this TQ, or a given range. Since this later 904 is finally rebuilt, I don't want to go with the stock TQ, one, it has a ton of junk inside (yes I know I can take it to get cleaned), two, I know there's a better TQ out there that'll help my Barracuda get up and go. My transmission guy recommended a 2400rpm stall converter for my setup, stock 318 Magnum (carbureted), 7 - 1/4" rear with 2.76 highway gears. He said run that 2400rpm stall TQ till my 7 - 1/4" rear breaks (lol). I know my rear end sucks and it probably won't be the best TQ to throw at until I throw an 8 - 3/4" rear in (which I have, think it has 3.23 gears). Just wondering if that CR8H high stall TQ I have is better than the stock 904 TQ, and if I should run it, or go with a different TQ. 27 Spline count is what my 904's input shaft is, same for the CR8H TQ.

The CR8H converter is indeed a slightly higher stall converter than the CR8L low stall. Both converters will fit 225, 318 engines with the 904. The exact stall can be arguementive, but generally in the industry the low stall would typically be classed as 1600-1700 stall converter, and the high stall would be 300-400 rpm higher in stall. What I found out, the high stall usually was found behind 6 cylinder engines. In the rebuilding of stock converters, I knew of no converter shops that dyno'd stock converters. They typically are mass produced and to setup a dyno and actually test each one of them for stall would be very time consuming and expensive.
Most transmission shop guys know very little about high stall converters and how to apply them properly. This is not a knock against them, it's just usually performance is not what they do. That being said, there are exceptions to the rule and we have some transmission builders on this board that are knowledgeable in this area.
I think and I'm sure others agree, that until you've got that diff. problem solved, don't waste much time or money on a converter. Put the CR8H in it (it's just a rebuilt unit to factory specs) and go from there. Once you've got everything else sorted out and finalised, contact any of a number of HIGH STALL CONVERTER builders. Give them all the information on your engine etc. see what they say. You could p--s your dollars away on a high stall now only to find out that when you've got your other issues worked out, the converter is all wrong.
You should be able to get CR8H from Transtar in Salt Lake.