518 / 46LH years W/O Lock-Up?

[Katfish]

I'm seriously considering putting an OD tranny in my car to make long drives more enjoyable, or just plain possible.
I have a 340 / 727 / 3.73 gears.  Cruising at 3500 rpm gets old fast.

I've been reading everything I can find but starting to get confused. 
I like the idea on a single toggle switch for the OD, don't really need or want the lock-up feature. 
I'm hoping to keep costs down and use the torque converter from my 727.
From what I've read, they made improvements to the 518 every year so they are all a little different. 
It looks like the 94-95 are the last 2 years and best option.

But is there a non lock-up version available for the 94-95 46LH?
If so, what type truck should I be searching for?

Thanks

[moparman82]

I have been waiting for somebody to say SOMETHING! lol I'm in the same boat, and was anxiously awaiting info, consider this an elaborate bump!

[RCCDrew]

I know 93-95 are lockup convertors. 91 maybe?

[brads70]

Why are you wanting to avoid a lock up convertor? If someone makes one in a higher stall speed as compared to stock I think that would be the way to go?  I have a 4L60 (different animal I know) and a higher stall lock up convertor and when cruising on the hwy its great. I also get 17 MPG on a done up 451"  Only issue I have is with my engine combo I should have went with 3:73 instead of 3:55 as the engine is a little happier at 2300-2500 rpms . Now I need to drive at 75-80 MPH but if I had went with 3:73 it would be perfect.
The toggle switch you mentioned are you sure that is to engage the OD or is it to engage the lockup convertor? 
To be honest if I had it to do over again I would have went with Passons 5 speed manual but it was not available when I was needing a transmission.   

[Katfish]

I'm going with the lock-out, decided to go over to Orlando and search.

Looked through the entire yard and was just getting ready to walk out disappointed, the very last vehicle I looked at had the only OD tranny that wasn't 4wd.  It was in a 95 Ram Van, so that was a bonus that made it a lot easier.

My son took off from school and gave me a hand.  I don't think I would have got it without him.  This thing is HEAVY.  And as an added bonus it was some good father-son bonding time. 
It was a royal pain getting it into my Mustang, it's still in there, till I can get some help getting it out.

Now I need to figure out how to get this out of my car, lol

[brads70]

I'm going with the lock-out, decided to go over to Orlando and search.

Looked through the entire yard and was just getting ready to walk out disappointed, the very last vehicle I looked at had the only OD tranny that wasn't 4wd.  It was in a 95 Ram Van, so that was a bonus that made it a lot easier.

My son took off from school and gave me a hand.  I don't think I would have got it without him.  This thing is HEAVY.  And as an added bonus it was some good father-son bonding time. 
It was a royal pain getting it into my Mustang, it's still in there, till I can get some help getting it out.

Now I need to figure out how to get this out of my car, lol

   That's funny. You took out the seat to fit in the transmission?    It would be interesting if you could weight it as is? I'm curious.  When I was looking at tranny options my good buddy ( and fellow Mopar freak) is a transmission mechanic at a Mopar dealer. He suggested I stay away from the 518 as it was so heavy and talked me into the 4L60. He also said the spinning internal parts were heavy and I would get more power to the rear wheels with the 4L60? I totally understand the desire to keep it all Mopar though.

[Katfish]

The only thing driving my decision was cost and ease of installation.  My goal is to get this in for under $2k.
I got the tranny, all the lines, the wiring and tranny cooler for $190.

Yeah the Mustang seats bolt in from the inside of the car and are simple to take out.

All I have is a bathroom scale, I'll see if I can figure out a way to weigh it.  I'm guessing 200ish?

Had no idea the TC was so heavy, loaded the tranny in the car with the TC still in it.  That was a mistake, pulled the TC out, now I need to get the tranny out.

[transman]

Non luck up converters available from 1989 and on for the A518.  There are codes that are as I recall painted on the body of the converter(factory markings). It may say 087,125,518 or some other 3 number combo.The numbers starting with a 6 or 8 where classed as a high stall converter.
Non lockup converters had a 24 spline input shaft, and lockups had a 23 spline input shaft.
Both series of converters came with or without weights to match to the engine balance.  All had a wide ring gear, and the diameter was 11".
Hope this helps.

[transman]

The only thing driving my decision was cost and ease of installation.  My goal is to get this in for under $2k.
I got the tranny, all the lines, the wiring and tranny cooler for $190.

Yeah the Mustang seats bolt in from the inside of the car and are simple to take out.

All I have is a bathroom scale, I'll see if I can figure out a way to weigh it.  I'm guessing 200ish?

Had no idea the TC was so heavy, loaded the tranny in the car with the TC still in it.  That was a mistake, pulled the TC out, now I need to get the tranny out.

Converter shouldn't weigh that much.  Same as a 727 Lockup.  Only heavy converter I ever handled off a 518 was the diesel.  That sucker was heavy, even with no oil in it.

[Katfish]

Non luck up converters available from 1989 and on for the A518.  There are codes that are as I recall painted on the body of the converter(factory markings). It may say 087,125,518 or some other 3 number combo.The numbers starting with a 6 or 8 where classed as a high stall converter.
Non lockup converters had a 24 spline input shaft, and lockups had a 23 spline input shaft.
Both series of converters came with or without weights to match to the engine balance.  All had a wide ring gear, and the diameter was 11".
Hope this helps.

Good info, I'll try to see what it has on it.  I'm guessing this TC weighs at least 30-40lbs.

[Katfish]

My guess was pretty good, not sure how much fluid is in it, but weight is 37lbs.
It was a 5.9 gas engine.  Any help with these stampings? What stall, original or rebuilt?
Do these things go bad, what are the odds it's good and I can use it?

[transman]

Sorry, but the numbers stamped into the impeller side mean nothing to me from home.  When I worked in the industry what we wanted was the OEM FACTORY painted (stenciled) number on the converter.  By looking at the converter, it's been painted at one time.  Factory cores are not painted.  The weight that has been added also does not look like a factory weight, and the welding of it to the front cover is not very good.  The hub looks like its' burnt.  Check the hub for any groves and if you can feel the groves with a finger nail, it won't seal properly and you'll get a leaker for sure.  Hub surfaces MUST BE mirror smooth, just like a crank journel.
As far as if it's good or not, there is no way you can tell without cutting it apart.  If the transmission has had any issues, any contamination from the transmission will also  be inside the converter.  There is a one way roller clutch (sprag) inside that may need to be replaced.
My advise, get another converter.

[transman]

I forgot to mention one other thing I noticed.  Look at all the weld spittle around the hub.  A quality converter rebuilder wouldn't do this sloppy of a job.

[transman]

Bad guess on the stall, probably around 17-1900 RPM.

[dodj]

Now I need to figure out how to get this out of my car, lol

Always wondered what you guys without trucks did when you went to the bone yard! 
That's funny Rod. Hope you didn't get any oil on the carpet. A lot of that tranny weight might have been oil.