Is this a "J" converter?

Posted By: Bob_Coomer

Is this a "J" converter? - 02/01/09 04:54 AM

Can anyone ID this converter, suppose to be a J converter ordered through MP back in 1988 or so. Has no numbers stamped in this except "07". It measures roughly 10 inch. He informed me that is was flashed in the 4K range with very mild big blocks. Im almost 100% sure its not a Turbo Action Unit, they usually are cut out around the backing plate/starter teeth area. It might be a B&M unit?

Posted By: fbs63

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/01/09 04:59 AM

A Turbo Action J convertor will be stamped 17509J.
B&M made them at one time also but I dont know how to identify them.
Hope this helps, Bob

Posted By: 6packattk

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/01/09 06:13 AM

I think B&M was 069J,someone will probly tell you for sure,lots of knowledge more than I got are on here.I have always wanted a car that could use one but technology is better now but of course costs more.I bet a j would measure 9 and a half though but I have lost bets before.....

Posted By: Cab_Burge

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/01/09 06:48 AM

The T/A J conveters had the weight reliefs on the ring gear, the B&M J converters did not

It looks like the snout has some bearing materials welded onto it

Posted By: dakotahotrodder

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/01/09 03:01 PM

Sure looks identical to my B&M J converter. Mine measures about 10" also. I can get pictures later today of both sides and if you'd like and see what's marked on it. I know there wasn't very many markings. If you send it away to get freshened, send it to PTC and have them put a new snout on the crank side. They were very thin and cracked along the welds, been there - done that. Wade

Attached picture 4991194-6c.jpg

Posted By: Bob_Coomer

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/01/09 03:14 PM

Quote:

Sure looks identical to my B&M J converter. Mine measures about 10" also. I can get pictures later today of both sides and if you'd like and see what's marked on it. I know there wasn't very many markings. If you send it away to get freshened, send it to PTC and have them put a new snout on the crank side. They were very thin and cracked along the welds, been there - done that. Wade

That would be great.
10-4 on the PTC, they have done several converters for me.

Posted By: Streetwize

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/01/09 04:39 PM

Looks like a J to me, allegedly the original core T/A used is from a Ford Cortina, or so I was told a long long time ago.

Posted By: Al_Alguire

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/01/09 04:50 PM

Paint reminds me of a Fairbanks piece...

Posted By: Quicktree

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/01/09 05:04 PM

doesn't look like a TA to me, all TA converters havce a serial number.

Posted By: Streetwize

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/01/09 05:09 PM

Al,

Now that you mention it, you're right it does look more like a Fairbanks...I didn't notice what looked like the old "tiger stripe" black & tan paint that fairbanks used to use...Could still be the same type Core as a J but

Posted By: prochargedhemi

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/01/09 06:32 PM

all fairbanks ones i have seen were yellow with black stripes

Posted By: Bob_Coomer

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/01/09 06:38 PM

Quote:

Al,

Now that you mention it, you're right it does look more like a Fairbanks...I didn't notice what looked like the old "tiger stripe" black & tan paint that fairbanks used to use...Could still be the same type Core as a J but

DID Fairbanks also make J converters for MP?

The picture and paint look deceiving, I don't know why it looks like that in the pic, through the naked eye, it looks like a dingy scuffed black paint job. I only assume that at one time he painted in orange, and some time in the years past painted it black...
OR
Might just be his own creation of a Chip Foose custom paint job..LOL

Posted By: 493_DART

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/01/09 08:48 PM

My TA J' converter has the number stamped on the crank side.

Posted By: Lime446

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/02/09 07:44 AM

B&M o69j is stamped on it. Mine stalled around 4000 also had a fairbanks that stalled about the same but was way looser on the big end was supposed to be similar to the B&M not even close. They did look very similar. No stamp probably fairbanks.

Posted By: Al_Alguire

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/02/09 04:19 PM

Ok what color is it? It looks orange on my monitor but maybe it is juts me. Some times color can tell you plenty. If it is red about the only red converters I know of are built by Hughes Performance. Of course I have never understood the "J" mystique.

Posted By: Bob_Coomer

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/02/09 05:28 PM

Quote:

OK what color is it? It looks orange on my monitor but maybe it is juts me. Some times color can tell you plenty. If it is red about the only red converters I know of are built by Hughes Performance. Of course I have never understood the "J" mystique.

IMO
These converters are nothing special. But 20 years ago they were. Now custom converters are made by everyone, and easy to find. These converters work pretty darn well though. I can say they're as about as efficient as one could expect.
Again
IMO
they are not a all out race converter at least in my book. One couldn't compare these to a custom 8" or 9", just not the same animal. These converters work extremely well on the street, or a duel purpose car. The last one I had was a Turbo Action Unit I sold to a member here on Moparts (kicking my self). I had the converter updated by PTC, cause I thought, along with many others, they could make it work better...Well it didn't. I think converters are hit or miss, and custom converters too. I don't care if its a custom converter or what, most people are content with how they perceive they're converter work. I know it can take several tries to see what a combo likes. And can get expensive quick.
I didn't set out looking for a "J" converter, a buddy had it, when I told him I was in the market for one. It was a good deal, I know the history behind it, and usage since new, which was "run" very little.

Posted By: 493_DART

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/02/09 08:54 PM

my "custom" TA , J converter slips 13% .........

Posted By: dvw

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/02/09 09:41 PM

I aggree that there are more modern parts. However a real J is a pretty good piece. Maybe not strength wise,but pretty efficient. I had a B&M and a Turbo Action. They ran nearly the same. The Turbo Action was a liitle looser. They did not look alike. The one pictured here looks more like a B&M. Mine were about 5-6 percent. I tried other converters,none were quicker. My friend worked on the J project at Chysler. He said that there was a lot of Dyno time developing that conveter. Way more than any probably spent today. I agree, converters can be a black art. I've had some from some name guys that wern't very good. At the same time those same builders did a great job for buddys combos. Try it in the car and test it.
Doug

Posted By: Bob_Coomer

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/02/09 10:49 PM

Quote:

Mine were about 5-6 percent.

That's my results too, it actually slipped less than a 9 inch $1200 Coan converter that I ran in SC dragster which was about 8%+. And the same for the 8 inch Custom T/A converter I ran in the Dakota another $1000+ converter... Still not bad IMO for converters that flash 6K+ or so, compared the the J which will probably be in the mid to high 4K range.

Posted By: Sport440

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/02/09 10:59 PM

MP rated them at 92.3% efficiency, or 7.7% slip. They were also supposed to be around 9.5" in diameter. mike

Posted By: dakotahotrodder

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/03/09 03:28 AM

Here's some pics.........sorry for the delay. Mine is an old B&M "J". I took a picture of the part number. That number is on it along with a J in front of it. PTC also stamped their numbers in it when I had the snout replaced. Mine is a good footbrake converter with a fairly mild motor in a heavy car, not as good as my newer 8", but still good. They are very lazy in the 60'.

Posted By: dakotahotrodder

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/03/09 03:29 AM

Posted By: dakotahotrodder

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/03/09 03:29 AM

Posted By: dakotahotrodder

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/03/09 03:33 AM

... and yes Paul Forte once told me they were made from a Cortina core, and anti-ballooning plates cannot be added, and they are no good with trans-brakes. The front pump also needs to be machined.

Attached picture 4996598-DSC05267.JPG

Posted By: Sport440

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/03/09 03:46 AM

Quote:

Here's some pics.........sorry for the delay. Mine is an old B&M "J". I took a picture of the part number. That number is on it along with a J in front of it. PTC also stamped their numbers in it when I had the snout replaced. Mine is a good footbrake converter with a fairly mild motor in a heavy car, not as good as my newer 8", but still good.

They are very lazy in the 60'.

Yep, They were designed to be a Soft hit vert for more consistant traction. mike

Posted By: Mike Swann

Re: Is this a "J" converter? - 02/03/09 03:46 AM

A true, original J converter was used in a 66-72 Ford Cortina/Pinto/Capri with the 1.6L 4-banger.

Others may called them a J, but it depended on the what core was available at the time.

With all of the small cars available for the last 15 years, there ought to be good equivalent to these converters now.

Is it just me, or is the paint in your picture burnt?