OK, OK OK... I pulled the connection straight out like Devon suggested. A little resistance... a little persuasion... and it popped straight out - like a champ I might add. I can now re-land the wire on the transmission. The original terminal connection isn't being cooperative so I need to get a little creative - unless anyone knows where I can get a replacement terminal connection. I did a quick check - put 12vdc to the wire and the trans does click. Cool... Thank you everyone for your help. There are only one set of contacts on the switch. I hate to even ask but in the name of Buick - do I have a switch pitch or a downshift? Again, thank you everyone for your help, I really appreciate it... its more than I could have expected. Matt D
Matt, while you were looking at the valve body of the trans with the pan off, were there two wires running to the plug on the side of the case? Now I'm wondering about which transmission you have in the car! Can you take a picture of the transmission's oil pan? Devon
Hi Devon, I will snap a few pics tonight. The plug popped off without dropping the pan so I don't know what it looks like inside yet. I plan on ordering a fiilter and a gasket and then drop the pan and change the fluid. I have to say that the fluid looks nice (not to get too technical - reddish pink) and doesn't smell burned. The car only has 57k miles on it but there are some issues. For ecample, it's not the original radiator. The front bench seat is not original. At any rate I am still tnankful and will snap a few pics this evening when I get home. Thanks again, Matt
Hi Devon, I will snap a few pics tonight. The plug popped off without dropping the pan so I don't know what it looks like inside yet. I plan on ordering a fiilter and a gasket and then drop the pan and change the fluid. I have to say that the fluid looks nice (not to get too technical - reddish pink) and doesn't smell burned. The car only has 57k miles on it but there are some issues. For ecample, it's not the original radiator. The front bench seat is not original. At any rate I am still tnankful and will snap a few pics this evening when I get home. Thanks again, Matt
Matt, don't bother. I don't know why I didn't look this up before. The 300 engine with the four barrel carb in the '64 LeSabre did NOT come with the ST300 transmission, it came with the bigger ST400. I was taking Ken's word that the ST400 was never used behind the 300 engine but this is not true. It was optional even behind the base 2V engine. Your ST400 does not have a variable pitch torque converter, so the switch is detent only, and there should be only one wire leading to the side of the transmission. It's not a two speed trans, it's a three speed, even though the gearshift only shows you Low and Drive. Here's some input from Tom Telesco on getting the most of the three gears: http://www.v8buick.com/showpost.php?p=858650&postcount=4 Devon
Hi Devon. I read your last post. I am somewhat relieved. I took a pic of the trans pan and it doesn't look like the 300 pan I see wherever I look. I was hoping that I had an original trans, but wasn't feeling too good about that. Yes - it has the 2 forward speeds and only 1 switch (the downshift detent). So - I'm thinking I don't have the ST 300 after all but the 1st variation of the ST 400. See the wire in the picture that started this whole mess in the 1st place. Thanks for your help. Matt
Thank you... ...but there is always something else... This v8buick board has been very helpful... and the snow is gone now... Matt