Switch pitch question

Discussion in 'The "Juice Box"' started by 455 Powered, Mar 17, 2021.

  1. 455 Powered

    455 Powered Well-Known Member

    I understand all the advice is good. That’s why I ask questions. The plug is where it’s supposed to be and fluid passes through it. Everything up to the converter is working. Just getting wore down from one step forward and several steps back
     
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  2. TrunkMonkey

    TrunkMonkey Well-Known Member

    LOL
    That's how the Buick rolls!

    That's the only way all the other car brands have a chance! :D

    Buicks, since 1975...
     
  3. Jim Weise

    Jim Weise EFI/DIS 482

    If everything is in place, and the solenoid is working, the valve is moving in the pump, then the only thing left is the converter itself. Worn bushings, and stuck piston are normal causes of lack of high stall.

    I saw your pics of the pump, it's not ideal, but it's functional, and not the problem here.

    Send me the converter, we will cut and inspect it, and show you the pics. If it's useable again, the rebuild is $399.. we weld the fins and set the piston up to have the vane angles of the V-6 units. Along with a new hub and all the normal rebuild and welding/balancing required.

    Your next step here is to rule that unit in or out.

    JW
     
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  4. 455 Powered

    455 Powered Well-Known Member

    I’m going to think on it this week. Everyone’s help is appreciated.
     
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  5. Brent

    Brent Founders Club Member

    Hey bud, if you need some parts let me know. I have an extra SP pump thats in pretty good shape. Not perfect, but better than yours. I also have some SP converter cores and I'd make you a good deal on them just to keep the Buick legend alive, lol.
    Thanks
    Brent
     
  6. Chi-Town67

    Chi-Town67 Gold Level Contributor

    Do you happen to have any 12" sp convertors that you want to part with? I only need 1.
     
  7. 455 Powered

    455 Powered Well-Known Member

    I might have to take you up on some parts. I’m sending my converter to Jim this week to see if it’s good. Thank you
     
  8. ssmock

    ssmock Well-Known Member

    Question: Were all 2-speed automatic transmissions in A-Bodies (Skylark & Special) switch pitch or are there differences between years? There is a 2-speed 65 transmission out of a 65 Skylark at swap meet that I am thinking of buying and having it rebuilt. Would be putting into a 64 Special, 300 cu in engine. Any changes or differences between these transmissions? Drive shaft, cross member etc.?
     
  9. Jim Weise

    Jim Weise EFI/DIS 482

    Yes, all 65-67 Skylarks got the ST 300 two speed trans. The real value here is actually just the converter, as it fits right in the ST 400 trans, which is the legendary "Turbo 400" with just a different pump and input shaft.

    In your specific situation, yes it will bolt right into your 64, but you will need the throttle linkage and switch assembly to operate it as the factory intended. They use the Variable Pitch option much more aggressively on the ST 300, to improve driveablity and performance with the two speed trans. You can just run it with any switch or switching device that provides a 12V + feed to the trans connector.

    There are two versions of the ST 300 converter:

    The small block version has a 9* fin angle in high stall, resulting in a 2800 stall speed behind a healthy engine.

    The V-6 version has a 7* fin angle in high stall, so it will stall about 300 rpm higher.. To identify one of these, look for "JJJ" stamped into the rear cover (the "rear cover" is the side it bolts the the flexplate)

    Both versions have a 13* fin angle in low stall, which is very similar to the fixed pitch 12" converter of the day.. stall is 16-1800 in low, depending on application.

    JW
     
  10. ssmock

    ssmock Well-Known Member

    Jim, Thanks for the reply. I decided not to go with the other transmission as I have too many projects now and there is nothing wrong with my existing transmission other than some minor leaking which can be fixed. Something else came up on my recent trip, I believe I have a broken motor mount. Doing some quick searching it looks like these are hard to find on a 64 300 V8 A-Body car. I see Rubber the Right Way offers a revulcanizing service. Thought you might have some other thoughts or contacts on this, maybe other A-Body GM cars have the same motor mount? Thanks, always appreciate your responses.
     
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  11. Jim Weise

    Jim Weise EFI/DIS 482

    I don't have any info on those mounts, but it is not uncommon to have to re-vulcanize an original. Many of the mounts are no longer made. Even the early 400/430 motors have a mount that has to be re-vulcanized, as they are no longer available. I would suspect that if that particular mount is unique to that year or engine, that might be the way you have to go.

    Good luck

    JW
     
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  12. TrunkMonkey

    TrunkMonkey Well-Known Member

    ssmock.

    Let me look tomorrow and see if I still have the mounts from my 64 300.

    Are you going to Crusin' the Coast?
     
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  13. ssmock

    ssmock Well-Known Member

    Yes, I will be at CTC this year. Staying in Bay St Louis but get around to all of the venues.
     
  14. ssmock

    ssmock Well-Known Member

    Jim, Thanks. I checked the revulcanizing with a couple of companies, takes about a week to 10 days to turn my originals around.
     
  15. TrunkMonkey

    TrunkMonkey Well-Known Member

    I have the mounts. They are in great shape.
    I'll bring them if you want them.
     
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  16. ssmock

    ssmock Well-Known Member

    Sure, That would be great. I'll PM you my contact information. Thanks!
     
  17. ssmock

    ssmock Well-Known Member

    PM sent. Hoping for some good weather at CTC this year. Last year the hurricane threat ran me off a couple of days early!!
     
  18. TrunkMonkey

    TrunkMonkey Well-Known Member

    Yep. I am stoked.

    I'll put them in the car so I don't forget. Will be over there for the week, hitting all the venues, and we usually stop for a while at the larger areas with shade so we won't have any trouble crossing paths. :)

    Heck, we might even get a "family portrait".

    upload_2021-9-15_17-29-34.png
     
  19. ssmock

    ssmock Well-Known Member

    Yes sir, I would like that. Don’t usually see two nice 64’s in the same place.
     
  20. ssmock

    ssmock Well-Known Member

    Looking forward to meeting you. Kind of getting pretty stoked myself.
     
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