I seem to have located what appears to be a ST-400 from a '66 Buick LeSabre. I'm told it has aprox 66K original miles on it. What's it worth? It has what the guy is describing might be a 350 Buick motor in front of it. The engine only has 4 bolts holding the VC down, a 400/430/455 has 5 bolts. I know the ST-400's are pretty good "street" trannys, is this one of the better ST-400's? I'll try to attach the picture of the data tag he sent.
There was a performance option on the 66 LeSabre called the LeSabre 400. It came with a 4 barrel 340 and ST400 trans. There should be '400' emblems on the rear quarters. Could be what you found. That ST400 trans will fit 300's thru 455's, but not Nailheads. Prices usually start around $150 for a core. Does it have the switch-pitch converter with it?
That's a good trans...for lots of folks it's a favorite. It's late enough that it has most of the design changes that make it a tough trans, and it's the last year for the nailhead bellhousing w/variable pitch. Devon
It still has the engine attached to it from what the guy is telling me. He described a "350" engine, it might be a 340 engine, I'll find out Monday, I plan to drive up and get it. He did say the engine was "stuck" but was a running engine when pulled. He got the car from a freind whose grandfather drove it and they parkd the car. It was too rusty to restore so they pulled the engine and trans to put in a pick up truck and never got around to it. I'm sure he'll let the engine go cheap, may be around the $50-$100 range is my guess. I'll be going up near the Va. line in NC. to get it. If someone wants the engine let me know and I'll inquire.
Stick it in "parts for sale" and put a blurb in the nailhead forum to get some folks to see it. Devon
wont fit a nailhead. sounds like it's what walt described.. a lesabre 400 which means it's a 340 with a st400 trans.
Is the '66 340 a BOP bellhousing then? I thought all the bells were the typical nailhead shape until '67. I never worked on any Buicks earlier than '67 so I'm unfamiliar with the designs. Devon
Devon I have seen 65 Lesabre 400's and those were 300 engines with the BOP pattern st400 transmission. as far as i know 64 is the first year of the BOP bolt pattern on Buicks
According to my '66 chassis manual, the BU code identifies this as a ST 400 (Which is says across the top of the tag) that came from a 340 cid LeSabre. The '66 ST400's were switch pitch transmissions, but as mentioned, this one has the BOP bellhousing that became the standard for Buick in 1967 with the introduction of their 430 cid motor. Good trans as long as it's going behind the original 340, a later 350, or big block 400-430-455. If you want one to go behind a nailhead, keep looking. This might be a gold mine for someone racing a big block that wants the s/p feature for their ST400. Ed
I'm going to buy it to put it behind my turbocherged 455 in a 1970 Electra 225 ProStreet car I'm building. Do you think any of the guys might be interested in the engine it's attached to? I'm waiting for a reply back from the owner now.
Sorry, I can't help identify the engine for sure..... but I gotta say wow! A turbocharged 455 in an Electra. You don't see that every day! :TU:
Do you know anyone looking one? The guy swears it was a running engine when pulled, it's just sat a long time and will not turn over now. I plan to go get the engine and transmission this afternoon. He wants $75 for the engine, I'd like to get at least that plus the gas it's going to cost me to go get it, I think that's pretty fair, I'll have 4-5 hours drive time in it. If you know someone looking one let me know. Just looking at the map, I'm guessing I'll have $40-$50 in gas in the trip.
Only if you need one. I mean to me it's like having a hemi, it's a nice conversation piece, but it'll never go in anything I own. (no offence inteneded to the nailhead/300/215/340 guys) I like the BBB.
