401/dynaflow in 1966 Riviera

Looking for advice. I have a 1966 Buick riviera with a 401 matched to a dynaflow out of a 1963 Riviera. Never came with a driveshaft. I'm not really sure what will work. Do I try get a driveshaft for a 63? Or a 66? Or maybe neither will work. Any advice would be great. Thanks

 

Welcome aboard!

IMO you would be better off to at least ditch the dynaflow, maybe the 401 too. A switch picth TH400 from a 65 or 66 can be adapted to the 63 401, or replace the 401 with a 64-66 425; either way, use a 66 driveshaft.

Where are you located?

 

Just north of Minneapolis MN.

 

I hate to say it but I agree with Rockman. Look for a donor 66 Riv and use the complete drivetrain. You will be much happier with a 425 and a th400 heck I am pretty sure a 430/th400 from a 67-69 will also bolt right in. Good luck in whatever you decide to do. You came to the right place for advice. This board is a wealth of information.
Cliff

 

Thanks very much. Everything else I've worked on is 1968 or newer. So the swapping around is much easier. Didn't realize how brand specific the cars use to be. I've looked on some other forums on swaps and to just swap a transmission can be a big deal. Adapters switching out cranks. This motor came with it so figured I'd try give it a run. I don't find many Buick motors around for sale.

 

No, the trans mount bolt pattern changed in '67 when they went to the BBB engine platform.


Derek

 

Thanks for correcting me! I sure do not want to pass on incorrect info.
Cliff

 

So basically the 1966 is kinda 1 year only for direct swap. That makes it a little harder.

 

No big deal, all the changes they did back over 50 years ago can get confusing. When they went to the BBB platform they changed to the BOP trans bolt pattern like the sbb 300/340 and their v6 had in '67.


Derek

 

keep your 401 if you can't find a 425 and buy a bellhousing from C.A.R and nailhead Buick ( https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BuVoJe7t0lA/VSrStS_MXTI/AAAAAAAAFPc/crN6dtM-e3gw1B6JYrHCpKc5elPeFlcSQCHM/s640/photo+1%281%29.JPG ) and then bolt a 4L60E behind the bellhousing. It will look stock and then you will have overdrive and a lower 1st gear giving it waaaay more power and lower RPM's on the highway

 

The 4l60E has electronic control----what's involved in making that work in our 60's Buick's?

 

I like this idea and hear from anyone who did this. Can't seem to find the websight for C.A.R.

 

Better find out what your rear axle ratio is. If its the one from a TH400 drive train, it
may be too low a number (2s) to work with your overdrive, which prefers a 3s.
Bruce Roe

 

Nope, it's this one: http://nailheadbuick.com/transadaptors

 

You use an EZ-TCU controller kit. You can program what ever kind of driving/shifting you want from mild to wild all on the fly. You can easil set up toggle shift as well so that you can go to low gear without pulling your shift lever down.
http://www.tciauto.com/tc/ez-tcutm-...t-gm-4l60-4l65-4l70-4l80-and-4l85e-to-09html/