Bought a 65 Rivi ST400 transmission to use in my 60 Buick. Motor is a 60 Electra 401. Dynaflow crankshaft. I know I need an adapter for the crank, and I have the correct flywheel to use. Here's my questions about completing this conversion. What kind of starter do I need? What about getting the switch-pitch to work? There's a vacuum operated something-or-other on the passenger side, WTF is it and what's it do? Anyone have a yoke for this trans? Why is the sky blue and grass green? If you fart in the woods and no one's around to smell it, does it still stink? How do they get teflon to stick to a frying pan when nothing sticks to teflon? Why do we..................oh, sorry, got carried away. :grin:
Fraz ol' buddy...I haven't done this swap, but you need a '64 to '66 401/425 starter, you might have to drill and tap a mounting hole in your block; the adapter is a bushing to center the ST400 torque converter in the crank. The vacuum thingy on the passenger side is the modulator that affects the shifting. For the switch pitch (and the kickdown), use small switches...toggle or rocker. They send 12 volts to activate the solenoid valves in the tranny. I like the "momentary" style. Originally they were on the throttle linkage. Happy motoring, Buford (Frank)
TH400 TO EARLIER MOTOR Here is all you need to do: 1) Open up the center I>D> of your flywheel to match the crank flange. 2) Machine an adapter to support the front of your torque convertor tht has a slight press fit into the crank. 3) Make a spacer about 1/2"=5/8"and in stall on the rear of the starter rod that the bendix gear rides on so that the gear does notgo past the starter. YOu could also make an adapter to space the starter away from the block. ( I did mine the first way and it has worked well for the pas 11 years) 4) you can set up the kick down just like Buford said, many guys like them set up on a toggle switch. I converted my tranny over to a regular th400 with a high stall convertor.
Hey, Dual Quad 55-- I have a '55 Special four door hardtop. And, what kind of rear axle did you use in doing your swap? I may eventually want to do the same thing. Any advice, pictures? Please encourage my Buick habit. ---Zach.
Zach, I used a 57-64 olds/pont rear as they were popular in the 60s and indestructible. However, I would recommend a 9 inch Ford (stay away from the 8 inchers in a big car) they are plentiful, parts are cheap and supplies endless. gears can be bought for around $150/set through Speedway Motors, all sorts of limited slip/positractions are available. If going GM, use a rear out of a "big" car, but make sure the width is cool. Any other ?s
