I just drove my new-to-me '64 Wildcat home from the place where i bought it. The seller didn't know what kind of transmission it has, other than that it's an automatic. If the car is a '64, it wouldn't have a Dynaflow tranny would it? How do I tell what kind of transmission it is without pulling the engine and tranny??
64' Wildcat Tranny I believe that buick started putting in a th400 that year, with what they called a "switch Pitch" torque converter. What is the shift selection patern. A Dynaflow was always P,N D, L and R. Reverse was always all the way down on the trans shift selector.
'64 Wildcat's came with a ST400 trans, it was a one year only application and has a unique valve body, it is not the "switch pitch" or "dual stall" type.
OK, if this Wildcat has a ST-400 transmission, how does it rate for ability to handle horsepower, and also for durability? Is this a desirable transmission?
Some say that the non switch pitch is a "bastard" tranny and not as good. On the yahoo Buick nailhead group there is a tranny builder that swears by them. The ST400 is basically the exact same tranny as the TH400 Chevy used.
64 wildcat The 1964 wildcat is a real nice buick. Nice lines. I especially love the rear tailight treatment. Plenty of power, a 401 that you will be able to juice up a bit. Pleant of buick torque to go along with famous Buick ride:
Well it's more desireable than the Dynaflows, robs a lot less power. Keep the fluid and filter clean and be it a posi or a peg leg you can go ahead a smoke em up. Walt was posting on another thread how to shift it to get some more out of it performance wise. I've not done this so I'd best let others advise you on that. Keep you eye out for a 65 or 66 SP400 and then you can swap her out when time and money allows for a Swith Pitch. That would be the most desireable set-up for most of us.
