360 crank into 343

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Thanks Western an Phat, the motor is torn down to short block, that's how we found it was 30 over. I like the idea of a custom converter since I would need a higher stall for track and leave the engine alone other than a freshen up, overall block/heads seems clean an fresh. Is their a tried an true mfg to have a converter built? I would think a post in the wanted section would find the trans, anything we're missing in this set-up. Thanks for the knowledge, John

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68st343 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Jan/14/2015 Location: n.o. Louisiana Status: Offline Points: 67	Post Options Post Reply Quote 68st343 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb/17/2020 at 9:55pm
	Thanks Western an Phat, the motor is torn down to short block, that's how we found it was 30 over. I like the idea of a custom converter since I would need a higher stall for track and leave the engine alone other than a freshen up, overall block/heads seems clean an fresh. Is their a tried an true mfg to have a converter built? I would think a post in the wanted section would find the trans, anything we're missing in this set-up. Thanks for the knowledge, John

PHAT69AMX Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jul/07/2007 Location: West Virginia Status: Offline Points: 5919	Post Options Post Reply Quote PHAT69AMX Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb/17/2020 at 10:17pm
	Another 'idea', but I have not done it, or know if it has been mentioned, your last post reminded me of the idea.. A custom or modified TF converter fitted with a long and small Borg Warner Size and Style Converter Pilot instead of the short and fat TF style and shape Converter Pilot. Then the existing 343 flat flange crank and BW Trans 343 Flexplate could be re-used. The 343 BW Flexplate may need to be drilled with 4 converter mounting bolt holes that match the TF Converter mounting bolts. Then no crank adapter or block to trans spacer would be needed. If the TF Converter had a BW size and shape converter pilot on it. I've been out of the market for quite awhile, and only used an 'economy' aftermarket B&M Stall Converter. But back in the day, Coan Converters in Indiana iirc was 'the place' for converters. And intention was to replace what I had with a Coan Built Converter, but 'got out of it' before doing that. I keep forgetting to mention, I was doing it as just a hobby, wanted to keep down cost, and was just plain stubborn I guess... I used a 304/360 Crank in a 343 block just to get back lost Compression ratio since the +.030 cast pistons in my 343 block had 'large' dish tops AND were .020 shorter than stock so the soup bowl slugs were .080" nominal down in the hole in the block and I had squat for compression... So the 304/360 crank was relatively cheap, pushed those soup bowl slugs up flush, got the CR back up closer to what the cam needed, and had the later stepped flange to use a TF Trans. The WATCH OUT then becomes Cam Specs and Piston-to-Valve Clearance ! So, what slugs are in your 343, what dish, and how far down in the hole are they ? Edited by PHAT69AMX - Feb/17/2020 at 10:24pm
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WesternRed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Aug/03/2010 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 5799	Post Options Post Reply Quote WesternRed Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: Feb/18/2020 at 5:37am
	Torqueflite to early crank custom converter in case you are thinking of going down that path: If you are going high stall for drag racing, it's not that much of a stretch to get something custom made. I took this out because it was somewhere around stock stall and did the crank modifications so that I could run an off the shelf high stall converter.: I was working with an early flat crank AMC 360 engine, so similar deal to the 343.
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Boris Badanov Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Dec/14/2013 Location: NH USA Status: Offline Points: 4209	Post Options Post Reply Quote Boris Badanov Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb/18/2020 at 6:51pm
	Have a custom converter made. It's not that expensive and you will get a custom stall speed to go with it. I had one built for a AMC 727 app and the builder asked which crank I was using. It's really that easy.
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68st343 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Jan/14/2015 Location: n.o. Louisiana Status: Offline Points: 67	Post Options Post Reply Quote 68st343 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb/18/2020 at 9:13pm
	Hello All, I do think now the best way for me since the engine is in good shape is the custom convertor, I get the stall for drags and no headaches with adapter, balance, etc. The engine is 30 over and has flat top w/ valve notch, so no dish for clearance/cam lift as noted if 360 crank was used. Gonna check out some new trans and find a converter builder, any suggestion on either one helpful, Thanks John