Happy new year! here my problem.. I have a 69 Skylark 455 converted from auto to a 4 speed Muncie, Its not sounding good and always had some kind of gearing problem, and researching auto's I want to convert It back to auto. I'm looking at the cost of both options (staying with manual or go with auto). Auto I'm thinking about 1700.00/ Standard 2500.00. I made a quick list of parts I need to convert back. Hoping someone could tell me what if anything I am missing for this conversion. -Flex plate -TH400 trans (thinking about going with TCI 211300 auto/manual body) -Shift cable -Dip stick tube -Trans cooler -Speedo gear/housing -Torque converter -Brake pedal assembly Is that it? Where could I get a decent flex plate? What should I go with for a torque converter? What 1st gear ratio do I go with? 248?
big hole in the floor, column, cooler lines, down shift cable th350 or switch th400 with a th350 you'll need a new drive shaft yoke. Shift mechanism or floor shift stuff.
Flex plate is available new, http://www.taperformance.com/proddetail.asp?prod=TA_2030 or http://www.taperformance.com/proddetail.asp?prod=TA_2033 or http://www.taperformance.com/proddetail.asp?prod=TA_2033A-EXT Torque converter is going to depend on your cam. Don't cheap out there. Spend some money and get one built for your car. Buying off the shelf is a crap shoot, some may disagree. 2.48 is the stock 1st gear on a 400. They make low gear sets for the 400. It will cost you more. Up to you. Getting a 400 transmission built shouldn't be a problem unless you live in Europe or somewhere else.
Wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to fix the Muncie. They're not that hard to rebuild. A good kit is $150 plus what ever gears you may need.
Great! thank you everyone. I know I have a center console with the shifter and cable somewhere in my basement, I have to replace floor pans anyway so fixing the hole isn't bad. I don't mind the 4 speed but it was rebuilt (by a creditable shop) when I bought it about 3 years ago and doesn't seem like its holding up to well. I now have metal shavings and all types of bad noises. Plus on top of it all I feel that the autos are more reliable and better for the type of driving I do. -Who could I get a torque converter built by for my application?
Here is one option, http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?147066-TSP-9-5-quot-Street-Strip-converters-Lifetime-warrantee!
Thanks Larry! Does it make sense what I want to do? I hope I'm thinking straight with this idea and don't jam myself up. What would you guys do? spend money on the 4 spd.or switch back to auto?
There's nothing that screams Musclecar like a manual transmission, but a good automatic is going to be more durable. Unless you are really good with a 4 speed, the automatic set up right with the right converter is going to be hard to beat. It's up to you.
