Hi every one... I just got a 1960 invicta with the 445 wildcat.....I need to change the tranny since the dynaflow is dead in it....Heres my question..Sould I use a turbo 400 or the 700r4 tranny.? I really would like to have the overdrive..I am aware of needing the adpter kit for either tranny, but the 700 is usually electronic controlled...what am I going to need to do if I want to use the 700?
Find a tranny shop in your area that is willing to give you some pointers. Most car guys are good with handing out their opinion:Brow: Go for the 700r if you like the overdrive. Everything I hear is it is a great tranny
Welcome to the board! Any reason why you don't want to rebuild the Dynaflow? uzzled: Sounds like you've already answered your own questions, you want overdrive. Let's see some pictures of the Invicta.
the use of the 700r4 or 200r4 depends on the rear end gear. u may have to change your rearend gear for the overdrive to be effective.
The biggest problem you're going to have with either transmission is fitting it to the car. The 1960 Buick was the last Buick built with a torque tube; and as such will probably require a total removal of the rear axle and final drive to accomodate a more modern rear-end and open driveshaft that would be necessary for a conversion to a more modern transmission. Also necessary is a conversion kit to fit the modern transmission to the engine; - they're all totally different from the Dynaflow and even the crankshaft won't fit. Unless you're planning to gut the whole driveline, the more economical thing to do is to rebuild the Dynaflow, it's actually not that bad unless you want to race the car.
i have heard horror stories already about rebuilding the dyna....scared as hell.....if you dont "know" them... I am aware of the open & tube difference...i am lookin at using the adapter kit to be able to put the TH400 in the Invicta, & have a custom drive shaft made..my big concern at this point is the easiest way to get to open drive shaft.. I have had people tell me to use th 63-65 3rd member & bolt that into my existing rear end.. I just need to know if the gears will be the same to match the axels...or if I should look at actually installing the complete rear end...either way I know once the t-tube is removed I have to add support....any info on that would be awesome!...thx...
Love the car; - had one exactly like it 25 years ago. The last quote I got to do a Dynaflow up here in Canada was about $2000.- which isn't bad considering my TH-400 was about $1200.- all in. The frame on that car isn't designed to hold the trailing arms that a newer axle set-up with the open driveshaft has. It would require some structural mods that I'm sure someone on this board has done. Considering costs, one would be inclined to just rebuild the Dynaflow; - they're a pretty simple unit, low maintenance, and when they work right they're a fantastically smooth transmission. And yes, I found the differences between it and the TH-400 to be minimal speed and performance-wise on a stock build. However, the only drawback is fuel economy; - the Dynaflow equiped car is definitely thirstier. But that wouldn't stop me from owning another one. It's kind of neat to just "lower the hammer" and feel nothing but a steady hard pull with the RPM staying around the same; no passing gear, no abrupt downshifts, nothing...- something you don't get with the later transmissions.
when I last started it..i felt the dyna want to go but wouldnt...the guy I got it from thought it was the front seal that went out, but it is not spraying fluid...Could it be the rear seal? & could it be just that simple to replace it & have the dyna work?...
Those transmissions were very sensitive to low fluid level. Make sure yours is full, they start slipping if they're more than 2 quarts down. Also, try it in 1st, it should move. Usually the reverse band goes, forward gears usually don't go. I can't remember the troubleshooting proceedure for one, but any Buick service manual from 1956 to 1963 usually has a pretty good guide as to what to check in them.
I have the book & now have to dig further...I got it to move about 10ft last nite.. If jack it up the wheels will turn in all gears...Just trying to narrow down the issue...if someone has anyideas at this point or expeirence that would be appreciated to avoid a rebuild if possible....thanks
If the trans. was so low on fluid it wouldn't move it will most likely have to be pulled & rebuilt. If you use a "400" from a "NailHead" you wont need an adapter to mount the tarns. only an adapter for the rear of the crank. You could use a rear from a '61 or '62 full size donor car. Use the donor for all the brackets & control arms needed. This will at least keep the 12" brakes & still be all Buick.
Howdy SBP Where ya from ??? I love the looks of that old boat. As others have said I too think you are better off rebuilding the tranny that's in the car. It's in there now and it fits, by the sounds of it it will be a PITA to change it to a 400/700. Good Luck :TU:
Listen to Marc if you are going to keep the trans.... I have found dynaflow transmissions to be very tough and reliable , indestructable in fact... but that said,,, listen to Tom if you must do a swap.... both men have been there and done it....and are good sources of info.....:Smarty:
