I have a 66 Skylark with a 300 2bbl and a (I believe) ST200 tranny. Will a 200R4 or TH350 bolt up to my bell housing? Was going to go to a 401/TH400 set up but after looking into all that has to be changed, I really don't want to get into all that nor do I have that much to spend. Any help would br greatly appreciated.
I you use the search feature for this forum, you will find several threads on the topic. Both trans bolt up to the 300" motor. The 200-4R will require you move/modify the transmission crossmember. And, both transmission will require you to add a kickdown or TV cable respectively. You will also need to modify or replace your shifter set up to work with the extra gear positions you will have. The driveshaft will also work with both transmissions.
Nice summary Steven! One other thing, all 200-4R's have a universal bolt pattern, but not all TH-350's do. If you go TH-350, you will want to make sure it has a BOP pattern. I happen to have a TH-350 that I have no use for, so if you are near South Florida or are otherwise interested, let me know.
The only thing I would add is that the TH350 will have to have the BOP bolt pattern. And in the early 70's some of the 350's had a universal, or unipattern so they will fit all BOP and Chevrolet. I believe all the 200-4R's had the unipattern but I'm not 100% sure of that one. I've just never seen one without it.
Thanks guys. I did look in the forums first, but couldnt find the exact answer I was looking for. I'm relatively new to the site and still trying to find my way around. As far as the tranny in Florida, I appreciate the offer but I am in upstate New York. I'm trying to find a nice alternative to doing a ton of work at an affordable price while still gaining some performance. Thanks again.:grin:
What kind of modification(s) are necessary to the cross member, when using the 200R4? I have to replace the TH350 that someone put in my 64, so I am also looking at the 200R4.
If you are trying to do it on the cheap and want as little hassle as possible, I would recommend the TH350. When going to the 200-R4, you will run into more cost and more technical challenges.
I believe you just need to move it back a bit, but the good news is that the frame already has the correct holes to support the move. If I'm not mistaken, you might also have to shorten the driveshaft a bit too.
I don't think he can just slide it back in a convertible. They have boxed frames. The easiest thing to do would probably to pick up a tubular crossmember like Bill A. did for his convertible. I think he got his from Bowtie Overdrives.
Out here they are quoting me $1850 for a 700R4 w/ converter and $1550 for a TH350 w/ converter (carry out). :spank: Seems like a lot of money, but it's been 25 years since I purchased an automatic, and I am on an island. 12 mo warranty. What do you think? Speedtigger- I have the same console as you, and am curious about how you mounted your B&M shifter under there....do you happen to have a pic without the console installed. You car is absolutely gorgeous!
The picture you saw of the console in the car was just a mock up. I have not fabricated the brackets yet. I will have to do this in the next month or so because the new motor and trans is going in. I will be glad to share the design when it is done.
Awesome. Thanks:TU: I was looking at these shifters: http://www.shiftworks.com/trans-stormer.htm#rod He sold me a custom shift gate that installed on the factory shifter, and a new bezel, for the TH350- it works great and is totally stealth. If I go with a 4 speed auto, I will change to an aftermarket shifter, though. Thanks.
My frame has 4 holes on each side for 3 different positions- the crossmember can slide back and forth. So maybe it will fit?
Maybe. I have never had a convertible. My statement was based on what Bill A. had told me. He has just done the conversion on his 64 convertible.
Nope, on a hardtop frame you're going to have to drill 4 new holes. Don't know about the convertible frame.
I am also considering one other option- converting to a standard shift. Don't mean to hijack the thread, but can this kit be installed with the engine in place and the trans removed? http://www.thepartsplaceinc.com/ocatalog/part.asp?VID=7&YearList=1964&Search_Keyword=&CatID=13&curpage=2
Be careful with The Parts Place, they're stuff tends to be 'One size fits all' sometimes, which rarely does.
Bowtie Overdrives makes a nice crossmember for a 200-4R conversion. It's $189 bucks but it looks nice and fits perfectly. I saw post where a guy took the original crossmember, cut out the center section, moved it back about six inches and welded it together along with some additional bracing. Since I don't have a welder it would probably cost as much as a new one to have someone fab it up the old one for me.
There's not enough adjustability with the stock frame pads to keep the original crossmember when using a 200-4R. The additional holes on the frame pad are probably used on manual transmission cars.
