AOD torque converter selection

OK. guys I have one for you that has been asked way too much.

I have a 63 Galaxie Country Sedan (station wagon) I have a 351w in it with an AOD. I rebuilt the tranny with a friend of mine two years ago. I put a Transgo shift kit in it. I currently have the stock converter 1800 stall. I have an Isky rv cam in it it is a 256/262. The cams rpm range is 1800 to 5000. I use the car for towing my trailer. I have stock heads on it with the exception that I hogged out the exhaust ports on the heads. Edelbrock performer rpm intake with 625 cfm carter carb. I am running either a 235/70r15 or a 225/70r15 rear tires. I am also running a 3.70 rear gear in a 9" traction lock.

How much stall should I go with? I drive this car on the road. I would like it to launch better of the line.

What is the difference between lock up and non lock up converter? And what are the advantages / disadvantages?


Larry

The lock-up converter keeps RPM lower and transmission temps lower. The non-locking converters are used in drag racing because the clutches in the locking converters won't stand up well under the rigors of drag racing.
For best acceleration you should be running a 2500 stall converter but if you do that you will have to add a larger cooler in addition to the one in your radiator. If you will be towing with it then you will need the largest capacity cooler made - 33000- 36000 GVW rated. If you are running air conditioner then you will need to add a fan to the cooler to augment the airflow at low speeds.

The lockup converters on AOD's are weaker than later AOD-E and 4R70W versions. However, it should be sufficient if it's just a cruiser, even if towing a reasonable load. To protect the lockup, you can feather the gas when it's locking so it slips less as it engages, then back on the gas again.

As far as stall, the factory ones are high stall for I6 and 302/5.0 applications, and low stall for 351's. If yours was from a 351 you might look for one from a 6 or 5.0 to get your increased stall. Probably not dirt cheap in any case, though.

David