As the title states, I’m looking to build my own version of the famous “Woodard Start” valve body. I have read and emailed Mark Deconti about his switch pitch article and understand what 1-2 detect valve I need. After looking thru countless core, and tearing apart who knows how many valve bodies, after 3 years I’m still looking. I thought I may have gotten lucky with a 69 OG core trans. Nope, the detention land measures .498. I have played with governor calibrations, and the lockdown switch is functioning. I would like a 3-1 downshift over 22mph. Anybody in readerland have the elusive .535 1-2 valve and bushing? Here is the article I’m referring tohttp://www.buickperformanceclub.com/SPTrans.htm
It would appear you are on the hunt for a BC code from one of the "big cars" or a "muscle car" one. It does say they used the .438 valve/bushing in that 67 GS400. And it works fairly well. But I'm with you and not wanting to take a trans fluid bath any more than necessary and get the big one the first time around. Another thought is does the 4L80e have a 1-2 shift valve/bushing in this size range and does it swap in? And what spring is to be used? And how does it affect the ability to down shift above the 22mph speed?
I have a couple 4L80 valve bodies in my parts pile, I’m not really all that familiar with them to know what, if any, valve body components interchange. I already exhausted all my valve body cores, I build a lot of transmissions for racers in my area. If the trans being built is a transbrake build, I keep hoping the original valve body will have the valve I’m looking for. I use to work at Coan Engineering about 25 years ago, I probably tore down 150-200 valve bodies a month for 3 years in preparation for machining to build transbrake or manual valve bodies. It pains me to think now how many of those valves and bushings I scrapped. They aren’t used in those builds. If I only knew then what I know now!!! The guys working there now say they will keep an eye open for the valve, I’m not holding my breath!!
I remember us talking with Denny manner at dinner at one of the events. He was talking about how he had to fight with Hydramatic to get that calibration. They did not want to do it, I guess, because of longevity concerns. The stock GS 455 Stage1 might semi hook enough to make it lethal on the street from a 35 MPH roll, but I doubt it would with 600 ft. lbs on tap from an aluminum headed 470 or 482. It would probably light even drag radials up unless they were fully warmed up and sticky. So is this even worth persuing with anything but a stock engine?
Remember mr wizard, not everyone has a fancy jw assembled trishield performance 470 under the hood. This is how us low buck guys try to keep up. And with some tall gears like a 3.08 or even a 3.23 with the right height tire, it puts a car where it can hook and make use of the torque. We don't all run 28" tires either. So yes I do believe it is a worthwhile undertaking. More than one way to skin a cat, rat or elephant, Just sayin'
Oh absolutely, in that application, it's killer on the street if it hooks. I was talking about the OP. Not sure what his application is.
It’s a mid 11 second 69 Olds Cutlass. I suppose it’s brand “X” to the Buick loyal, but I do have many friends with Buick cars. My Olds is Olds powered, no LS or chebby engines for me!!!
I have an OW Trans in my basement...and guess what...previous owner has had the trans rebuilt and his shop swapped it out...I was not able to locate one in the past two years... I am sure they still have it in their shop but they do not want to search for it... How can you tell it is the correct one when you have the valve body in front of you?
Mickey Thompson drag radials, best 60 ft has been 1.51. Thank you. I tell my wife if I didn’t do the car thing I would take up drinking. . She jokes and says drinking might be cheaper!! No thanks, I’m not fond of hangovers or puking.
Go to the shop and search for them!!! Great big steaming piles of horse excrement. Previous owner obviously didn’t know what he had or what those specific parts mean.
