So, I am looking to buy a '63 Buick Special with the 215 V8. The problem is, the transmission is shot. He said it no longer went into gear, and when it did, it would slip. The transmission is currently out of the car, waiting to be rebuilt. My problem is, I searched and searched online for rebuild kits, or a shop to do it with no luck. Am I looking in the wrong place? I would really love to buy this car, it's totally astonishing, and my jaw dropped when I saw it. Is there a possibility of just putting a different transmission into the car? Any help is appreciated. Thanks! I would really like to save the car, the seller said too many people have turned the car down because it needs the tranny rebuilt, and others wanted to buy it and ruin it and use it at circle dirt race track.
Isn't this a Dynaflow? If so, there are plenty of places to get rebuild kits. The problem is finding someone with the knowledge to rebuild it. If you can't do it yourself, then you might have to ship it off to someone that can. Google Buick Dynaflow and see what you come up with.
I am honestly not sure. All I remember the seller saying was that it was a dual path turbine drive 2 speed, and that it needed rebuilt. I don't really know much about older transmissions, I'm used to hearing 4T60-E and 700R4. :laugh: I AM willing to rebuild it though if it's not too bad.
It's a Dynaflow. The same thing is on my car. Do a search for it as there are kits out there. Shop around because they aren't expensive.
Excellent. I was hoping it wouldn't cost me a arm and a leg. The seller said he found a shop that would do it, but he wanted $1500 to do it. I'd rather do it myself if I can save a few hundred bucks.
Hmmm.... it may not be the same tranny? * 19481964 Dynaflow Buick * 19611963 Dual Path Turbine Drive Buick This rebuild site has them listed separately.
Hold on and let me do a search too. I guess it is a different tranny. There are parts still available for it though.
Hopefully I will. I wish they had a picture of the rebuild kit, I'd like to see how many parts I have to deal with. No big deal though, I wouldn't be in a hurry to rebuild it anyways, I would take my time and mark everything and take pictures, etc.
Not a dynaflo, they could not use a transmission that large and heavy in the Skylark with the 215! dual path turbine drive looks like it was unique to the 61 to 63 small Buick. There is a shop in Michigan- D& D that makes a lot of 215 parts -like transmission adapters- here is the website http://www.aluminumv8.com/index.htm I called and he has adapter kits to mate a 700R4 to the 215; its a bit $$ but it will put a good inexpensive OD transmission behind a cool engine. It was like $400 for the adapter kit, $275 for a mini starter (must use) $75 for an inspection cover (215 front 700r4 rear) then a trannie from a 82 to 95 60* V6 chevvy. Probably another 200 for driveshaft mods. So it is not cheap! But folks have done it and have been extremely pleased according to D&D.
Yeah, fitting another tranny in is out of the question, I just don;t want to spend alot of time doing something like that. I'd like to keep the car as stock as possible, with minimal modification. Maybe later on I would do a conversion, but for now, the Dual path is staying. I appreciate the suggestion though!
Actually the dual path turbine drive is really not such a bad 2 speed automatic, afterall it has a converter with lockup clutch. Getting hard parts for that little dude may be pretty difficult, but the sealup kits should be fairly easy. Rebuilding it, keep in mind you will be exploring the world of converters and converter clutches. Good luck:rant:
I do not know if this is another possibility for you. Ebay Part Link I am curious about this little part and connecting early Nailheads to the Nailhead bellhousing TH400 as a Dynaflow/Dual Path swap. Here is what it says: HTH
Just thinking, the 215 I believe has the old Buick 57-66 Nailhead bell pattern, so it would be possible to use a ST400 or SP400 out of a 64-66 full size Buick. But there might be problems with starter mounting, and definitely with flywheel to converter. Another possibility is to use the mini-slimjim (Roto5) out of a 61-63 Olds F-85. Olds used the 215 during that stretch of time, so it (transmission) should be compatible. (They weren't the best of transmissions, but at least it is an option. It is also a 3 speed auto)
