Anyone heard any details on a Nailhead 7004r / 2004r tranny adapter? Does it really exist? What modifications need to be done? Anyone used one? o No:
This is from the Buick Performance web sites '61 Helpful Tips' section..... Looking to install a 700R4 behind a nailhead 401/425, contact: Rod N Racin, 715 East Main St, Belleville, IL 62220, 618-257-0567. Price for the adapter kit is $295. Hope it helps.... Drew:beer
Adapter I looked all over the internet for one of those Dan. I have a 700r4 that i thought might be pretty neat to put in my 66 special. After a long exasperating search for an adapter (which yeilded nothing) I decided to buy a Switch-pitch assembly from P.A.E. and TH400. The 400 is bullet-proof and with the switch-pitch you can turn a 400 from a 3 speed to a 6 speed (depending on how elaborate you wire it).:blast: If you find one (or have one made) let me know how it works. I have compiled some resources for the th400 s/p tranny if you decide to go that route. Brad
2004R The 2004r has a universal bolt pattern. They don't need an adapter plate unless its not GM. I just put my competition 2004r in a 94 Mustang using an adapter plate from Coan - $378.00. You have to trim it down though.
The square peg will not fit in the round hole... Looking through my "NAILHEAD NOTES", I found: The Nailhead had a very unique bellhousing with the torque converter sitting in the back of the block, and the bellhousing only being about 4" deep. Unlike the other GM motors where the converter "hangs" off the back of the block and the bellhousing is about 10" covering the belhousing to reach the motor. The nailhead has a "round style" bolt pattern. The nailhead (264/322 364 401/425) have a different bellhousing than ANY other motor (the 264/322 even being different than the 364 401/425). The 300,340,350,400,430,455,3.8 V6, 4.1 v6 ETC and a few others all have the BOP patteren. There are "Dual pattern" Transmissions that have both BOP and Chevy patterns... In other words there is no way a 2004r will bolt to a nailhead. BTW - Has anyone contacted "Rod N Racin"?
adapter i have and the owner was very nice and he is hooking me up!! thanks for all the info. 401- 700r4 63 riviera cool oh i cant forget trypwer,headers and flowmasters again thankyou all:grin: :grin:
o No: I didn't realize the early blocks were such odd balls. If your going modern, go all the way and shoe in a 455.:Brow:
adapter have you ever gone too far into somthing to back out or throw it all out? thats me !!!! it started out as just a few simple things and then i got hooked into this!! oh well it will be fun evenif it is cubicly challenged . i know a big block sounds way cool too!!! tthank you for the idea though, craig:grin:
Re: Adapter Brad, You didn't say what motor you have in your '66 Special, but any stock Special configuration (V6/300/340) would have the Buick-Olds-Pontiac (BOP) bolt pattern for the transmission. The 700R4 and 200R4 use the BOP pattern or Universal pattern which will accomodate Chevy engines as well, which would explain the fruitless search for an adapter. The 200R4 has the additional advantage of being the same length as the ST300, eliminating any drivetrain modification requirements. The cross member has to be moved back a bit to accomodate the rear mount position. The 200R4 can be as bullet proof as the 400 and offers a 0.67 OD, something that won't come with a switchpitch... Cheers, John
Drew has good information! Charlie at Rod N Racin ( a street rod shop) in Belleville has an "Adapter Kit" for mounting Chevrolet pattern trannys to nailheads. It consists of an aluminum plate 3/8 inches patterned for the block and the tranny. Another aluminum spacer (about 2 inches thick) for the crank with a machined in pocket for the converter nose. The original flexplate mounts to the crank (for starter engagement) then the spacer bolts on afterwards and then the flexplate of choice for the converter. This (the spacer) is simular to that used on Rovers. The 3/8 plate requires the tranny be rotated approximately 10 degrees to miss the starter nose. That would be about an inch tilt to the passenger side and up an inch on the driver side. This would require remarking the dipstick, fabricating an angle mounting for the rear of the tranny (shimmed of made into the X member). Charlie seems knowledgeable, has raced nailheads in the past and puts them into streetrods. I am considering this for my 65 GS Convertable with a 200 4R and happy to have it as an option.
Good news.... I passed this info along to the Yahoo Nailhead group, and there were several negative reactions to it... They think the 2004r is a weak tranny... Well it's not... Someone wrote: Are you sure that you don't mean 700r4? the 200 is too weak for a 305 chevy. Well I will put money on it that a 425 will scatter a 200 trans, with or without overdrive, TORQUE is what the trans has to take. Why don't they use those little trannys in Trucks with V8 engines if they are so strong? why start with such a weak trans then put more money in it so it will live behind an engine that is too big for it in the first place? It will hold up for a while but it won't outlast a 400 or 700R4. So I wrote :Smarty: : If built correctly, a 2004r (not th200) is bulletproof... They can hold up behind a 455 Stage 1 (510 ft. lbs!) as well as highly modified turbo 6's from the grand national...Surely if it can hold up to a 510 ft lb motor, it should have no problem with the 445 ft lbs from a 401.... A friend of mine has a low 10 sec 87 GN WE4 with a 2004r. The st300 and st400 switch pitch trannies as cool, but when it comes to street driveablity and performance parts, the 2004r is a better choice, even over the 7004r because of the first gear ratio... My $.02 What are your thoughts??
Yes, Yes, and Yes. If you can afford it, that is. That's the only drawback to the 200-4r is the cost of a heavy-duty unit. I have one behind the stage 1 in my 64 Skylark. It had some teething problems, but has been OK since the 3rd try. Hey, if a ST300 can handle a 401 I wouldn't think twice about a beefed but not killer 200-4r behind a mild 401. If they like the low slippage of a switch pitch they should LOVE it when the 200-4R's converter LOCKS UP. I'll offer right now to trade a complete switch pitch trans for a complete BRF code 200-4R in rebuildable condition, as many as you can find as a matter of fact. :grin:
I was told by a service manager at the local chevy dealer that GM used the 700 in trucks because of the lower first gear, it had nothing to do with strength. ________ Hyde Park Residence 2
Great link! Welcome to the board. Hey Nailhead Sled, what's your name? You can put a small signature in your control panel so we know what to call you when we reply. As has been mentioned many times, we are a fairly friendly bunch in here and like to communicate on a first name basis. Looking at your post stats it would appear that you are a new member. Welcome and thanks for that cool link! Transmission adapters.com seem to have the goods. I'll need to add that site to my links page. http://transmissionadapters.com/53-66_nailhead.htm
400/430/455 Trans There was a short nose ST 400 available for the 64-66 Nailhead. It came in the bigger cars. The 64 was a stand alone non-VP model, while the 65-66 ST 400 had the same internals as a 67 400/430 VP ST 400, but the bell housing was shaped to fit a Nailhead. You can also switch the front pump on a ST 400 to a non-VP pump and have a TH 400 for the Nailhead. This means an adapter for the later TH 400 would not really be needed since there are still plenty of Nailhead ST 400s around. Cheryl
