Guys, I have a question, what is a 1971 "OW" tranmission that needs to be rebuilt worth? It came out of a 71 Stage 1 car, but if I remember correctly, the "OW" transmissions were also for Olds W-30 cars, so I figure the Olds guys would also want it. Duane
Duane, Any good 400 core will bring 50-100 in a boneyard, depending on what part of the country your in.. prolly to the higher side in your neck of the woods. And as you know, the value of a coded trans, or engine block, is muted by the fact that the numbers don't really match, since they are vin numbered. So I would not, and don't, put a huge value on the tag or block codes.. in the trans case, the only thing your really getting is the slightly different calibration of the valve body, and maybe an extra set of clutches in the direct drum. I might give an extra $50 for a properly coded trans, but not much more, because it won't really increase the value of the car greatly. The proper VIN is the big deal.. as your well aware. JW
Jim, I will keep that in mind, but I also know the valve bodies and pistons inside it are also different, to allow for a better flow. Mark Deconti showed us the differences at the BPG resto clinic. Duane
I was kind of curious about that too. The tranny in my car is from a 70 Ramair GTO. I thought maybe it worth a little something......guess its nothing to get excited about huh ?
I tried to listen at the clinic during the BPG But all the racers were starting (and warming up their engines), and I could hear but every other word...:ball: I was under the impression that BB's & OW's were actually the exact same specs. It also seems that whenever I come up with such an idea, I'm sooooo wrong! ou: o No: Now maybe Mark will straighten me out. :laugh:
Oh boy, I am going to take a shot at this......I think.......Duane is wrong??? I am going to run and hide!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sheesh, never thought I would ever type that statement! If I remember correctly....this could be dangerous....Mark stated only the BB code TH400 had the special valve(s) and clutch pack(s). I don't think he mentioned anything about the OW trans. I think the OW was used when a strike occured and BB were not available. As for worth, local yard sells TH400 short shafts for $50. Maybe you can use the OW for your 442 convertible Duane?
Not the strike.... But a fire in the Buick trans plant in July that stopped the flow of BB's. I bet a few 70 stage 1 got the OW too. :jd: I assumed "OW" was Olds Hi Per version of the Buick "BB", identical (besides the name plate) because they were both GM Corp. designs. Just the same as the Buick "BA" (standard TH-400) was identical to th Olds "O(whatever)", and Pontiac would also have the same too. o No:
Guys, So, back to my original question, Was the "OW" trans that was available on some 71 Stage 1 cars also the correct trans for the W-30 cars? Maybe I will talk to Mark Deconti and see what if anything is different between the BB and OW transmissions. I will also check the assembly manuals. Right now I am looking for info, and am not interested in selling the trans, but talk about throwing chum in the water. Duane PS. George, I am wrong all the time, if you don't believe me, ask my wife Beth. I also don't need the trans for my 70 442 conv, it has the original motor/trans/posi-rear.
Same trans as in a 70 or 71 W30. Ask Buicklawyer he just did one in a 70 W30. It shifts real hard. It is worth more to an Olds guy I suspect.
Duane, I will look through some of my data. From what I can recall, the 70 BB was really the only TH400 that had a very unique valve body. The 71 and later VB's did have different 1-2 shift valves, but different from the 70 BB. Parts got less unique after 71 with a number of things being shared between the divisions. Again, I will cross reference the OW units, but it should still have the 6 clutch drum that was used for 3rd and the piston that had 2 check balls. If anyone has a 71 chassis manual, I am pretty sure it mentions the OW as one of the models for a Stage 1. So, there were likely quite a few installed in GS's for them to list it in the chassis manual. I would think that the OW would be desirable for Olds guys if it fits the W30. The thing that gets sticky on this is that on the case is the VIN number for the car it came from. Buick trannys would begin with a 4. Going from memory here, but I think Olds is a 2. Then again, anyone looking for the OW code may not care about what the VIN was the same way we would like to find a 70 BB. At any rate, the OW trans is still a good find. :TU: Mark
I think the division codes are as follows: 0,1,2 Chevrolet, GMC or truck 3 Cadillac 4 Buick 5 Oldsmobile 6 Pontiac
Korrie There was a GMC in 70, separate division then? o No: Yes Mark, the Buick 71 service chassis manual is loaded with OW references, in fact, I never saw a BB ref without the OW, or vise versa. I think that is why I had assumed "BB = OW" exactly. :TU:
The hardest shifting Turbo 400's that GM Hydramatic produced for Pontiac from '67-74 were coded PQ, also PX for '70. At WOT, my '70 PQ & '71 PQ shift at 5400 rpm. When scanning the masterparts books, besides the upgraded valvebody, ck into different application governors. Lastly, if all the OW's & BB's are worth is $100 to $150 as rebuildable cores with their original valvebodys & governors, send me your zipcode for ck'ing on shipping, I'll buy several p :3gears: Roger
I believe Korrie's list is correct for VINs; I believe George's list is used for Rochester carb ID numbers.
Here is my list: 1 Buick 2 Oldsmobile 3 Pontiac 4 Cadillac 5 Chevy and the rest of the junk OH, I'm sorry I thought that this was a ranking of GM products! :laugh: I apologize for hyjacking the thread but I just couldn't resist. :spank:
Rob, There is no problem with hyjacking this thread, I have done that a few times myself. I figure my ranking of GM products goes like this, 1 Finished cars 2 Buick & Olds, a tie 3 Chevy 4 the rest Duane
