In need of a Switch Pitch

Friend of mine contacted me today. He wants to put a S/P behind his blown chevy 400 Camero....Asking for me to find him one...I live in So. Cal. so the closer, less shipping. Let me know and many thanks.

 

Len, better to post in "parts wanted" rather than the manual transmission section.

Realize that Chevrolet never used the variable pitch converter, so he's going to have to find a '67 ST400 from a Buick (Olds or Cadillac maybe), but then he'll need to adapt the BOP trans bellhousing bolt pattern to the Chevrolet.

What would be easier is to convert an existing Chevy TH400 to make use of the variable pitch function using donor parts from an old BOP transmission.

Let us know if he wants to use a BOP variable pitch trans or convert a Chevy TH400.

Devon

 

PM sent, I'm in So. Ca. what city are you in?

 

hi len....i have an st400 with the switch pitch convertor still intact. came from my 67 4 door wildcat. im in arizona. vito

 

don't forget the restrictor plug and the 2-prong electrical plug! :Smarty:

 

Hi, Len.

Still looking? I have a built and freshened up Kenne-Bell S-P TH400 complete, ready to go. Heck, it's even painted gloss black. If you (or he) is still interested, I can head over to my girlfriend's garage and take photos, plus provide detailed info on the package.

Dan G.

 

larry, Im going to be pulling my SP parts out of my th400 to sell, i need to know what part of input shaft to pull out? all i can remember is the pump, plug ,converter and wireing and 2 prong connector. I converted it myself 10 years ago, just cant remember changing shafts. i have the directions,that just threw me off as i started to take apart.

 

Yes,as Larry stated,I have all the parts in a box to convert any 400 trains to SP,plus I have the 12inch converter to go with it.If anybody needs them I have 3 full SP parts and converters on hand.BrunoD.

 

got st300 id sell cheap

 

So i take it, the front shaft that goes threw the pump on the right is not part of my switch pitch set up. and do i have the scribe in the correct hole i pulled the plug out of. FYI this is a 4000, all steel stator, S/P bought from PAE about 10 years ago, only about 6K miles on it and 50 passes at the track. I converted to manual trans, switch pitch was an assume tranny.

 

The spot you're pointing to is the correct place for the orifice. Here's a photo that shows the difference between the fixed pitch and variable pitch input shafts. Fixed on the left, VP on the right:



Devon

 

then my after market S/P setup used the normal stock shaft, so i dont need to includ that with my kit, right? the shaft on the right would not work with my after market electric front pump. did the factory switch pitches have a electic switch like the after market ones? i could hold mine on the line with slicks at about 3500 rpm then launch it, then hit the switch at the 60 foot mark, to lock it in low stall

 

Kelly, there's no way the variable pitch can work using a fixed pitch shaft. Yours had to come from a vp trans originally, and yes, the input shaft should be included if you're selling as a kit. I think the photo I posted is confusing you...the differences between the input shafts is being shown at the rear of the shaft, not the front which is all that can be seen in your photo.

Also, there's no such thing as an aftermarket vp pump. All PAE ever did was sell used, stock parts from original, variable pitch ST400 transmissions as well as poorly modified stock vp converters. All the vp pumps have the solenoid mounted on the back side with the wire leading into the case.

Devon

 

Thanks Devon, I must have had a shop change that front shaft, i dont remember dealing with it, how do i seperate it from the other part, or do i need to take it in? I did have a 3000 converter from PAE that went bad after 500 miles, then they sent me the 4000 with all steal stater, they exchanged with no charge. and had no problem sence.

 

Glad to help. The input shaft is pressed into the forward clutch drum, so you'll have to have access to a hydraulic press if you want to separate the two.

Devon