Just out of curiosity, what other transmissions fit the 66 Riviera GS w/425? I was just wondering because I have a spare TH350 laying around and figured if it fit, I could just hang onto it as a backup if mine ever goes out... Then again, I could also use it in the pup we are building......., but, like I said, just curious as to what other trannys fit, and what tranny is in it now? 3spd? 4spd? Thanks
That's the only tranny that will fit that car. You may as well save the th350 for a rainy day for another car. It is possible to make a 700r4 with overdrive fit the motor with an adapter, but you will then sacrifice the switch pitch convertor your th400 has. It's more durable than the 700r4 is anyway. The tranny in mine has over 200,000 miles on it and still works good, even though I used to beat the crap out of it in the past. Your tranny is the same one as mine is, and it's hard to kill. I wouldn't worry about needing a spare. BTW: it's a 3 speed switch pitch that you have in there.
Thanks for the info.... We are putting a 350 4bolt, into an 85 isuzu pup (1900lb truck), I guess ill save the TH350 for that.... switch pitch?
Switch pitch refers to the torque converter. Basically, it's a stall converter for smoother idling and performance but electrically (with switches on the throttle linkage) switches to a lower stall speed for economy. it is not a lock up converter. It will stall at approx. 2,400 rpm when in the high stall mode and 2,000 in the low stall mode. This was used in '65 thru '67 Buick, Caddillac and Olds models only.:Brow:
woops.....didn't think about that one. Just wanted to make sure people knew you couldn't just put in an SP convertor and call it a SP tranny. Thanks for the clarification John
Nope, still stayed the same. That would be an incredibly popular Nailhead if it hooked up to the BOP pattern. But its the nailhead rounded bell just like the 64, 65.
Really? Now I'm curious. I have a 66 401 pulled from a LeSabre that has the BOP bellhousing (and Switch-Pitch 400). (before someone asks, yes, the distributor is in the back) :laugh: I'll post a pic when I get home tonight.
Nailhead Looks like this: Intake to heads -where they meet; where the intake bolts on-the surface to which the intake bolts to is totally horizontal, flat. There is space between the bottom of the intake and the lifter valley cover. The lifter valley cover is held on by 2 bolts through the center. The valve covers are bolted to horizontal surfaces, 2 bolts each valve cover. Very unique. If you were to take off the valve cover, the valves mount straight up and down, unlike most pushrod v-8's that mont ata an angle - front view of Nailhead valves: l l o front view of SBC/BBB/SBB valves oriented: \ / o That would be one unique Le Sabre if it had a different engine from the 340. Lets see it!!
Horizontal top heads The easiest way to tell if it's a nailhead is to see how many bolts hold the valve covers on. Only two on a nailhead. I used to have a LeSabre with a 350. The valve covers did sit horizontal on the top of the heads, much like a nailhead, but it did indeed have a conventional valve travel angle (unlike a nailhead). If I remember right, it had a lot of power for a small-block. Quite a bit more than any stock Chevy 350 that I've driven and a bunch more than the 327 in my Camaro.
Ok, somebody must've been stickin' crack in my furnace cuz I was high on something... The bellhousing is round just like it should be. Sorry to get ya'll excited
