65GS.com - Buick Gran Sport Enthusiasts!
Drivetrain => Transmissions => Topic started by: Polishmeatballpizza on July 11, 2016, 08:02:40 PM
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Just wondering how difficult it is. They can get pretty pricey on the rebuild cost.
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I haven't done it myself. Had mine done at Aamco in Mankato. Cost was about $1200 including removal, rebuild, install, and new convertor. I must add that it's never worked better. I do know some Aamco's are better that others, our local one is owned by a car guy.
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I have done them. Not too difficult, but does require a couple of specific tools. I needed to fabricate a couple of tools to do the job.
The kits are getting more difficult to come up with. The last two kits I got about 1 year ago required some searching for quality parts.
The service manual is real good about description for overhauling.
Loren
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I did mine. It was not that hard. I had to make at least one tool for the drum. I used the Chassis Service Manual and a good write up on V.8 Buick in the transmission section. I had the converter rebuilt and had to get a few bushings on the Internet. I think the rebuild kit came from NAPA. It was about $300 with the converter rebuild and parts. I had done several ST400s before. So , there was confidence from the start.
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How can I tell which transmission or torque converter is in my car?
Is the "switch-pitch" just the torque converter or is it something else? And, if mine is a switch-pitch, how can I be sure they won't exchange it for something else when it gets rebuilt?
Just found this...
http://www.buickperformanceclub.com/switchpitch.htm (http://www.buickperformanceclub.com/switchpitch.htm)
My trans does not have the dimples or the heel. :BangHead: :angry5:
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The correct auto transmission in a '65 GS has a "NK" code tag. I think '66 GS had the same code, but not sure. Maybe Walt knows for certain on that.
Also the transmission pan looks a bit different then the one shown in the article you referenced.
For identification of the torque converter, there are colored paint dots on them. A '65 GS has a white dot on the converter. That "dot" can look more like a "dab" of paint sometimes.
Loren
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So, more than likely, I have an ST300 not an ST400?
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I will try to get pictures of the pan and tag of the correct '65 GS transmission for you.
Loren
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Just a slight change to Loren's post. The ST300 transmission for a 1965 Skylark Gran Sport should have a "NK" code stamped in the servo cover.
I had my transmission rebuilt for about $400. Of course, I had it already removed and I installed it myself. I also supplied the transmission shop with the rebuilt kit.
John
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If you have a servo cover on the Rt side and an NK code on that servo, it is a ST300. The 65-66 GS came with a ST300 with a Nailhead bolt pattern.
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You're using the 300 engine correct?
You might want to consider a 3 speed TH350 or even a 4 speed 200R4 trans. One with a standard BOP bellhouhing shape will bolt onto your 300 engine.
Here's a description on how to ID a switch pitch vs standard converter:
http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?143723-VP-converter-Trans-visual-ID-guide (http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?143723-VP-converter-Trans-visual-ID-guide)
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You're using the 300 engine correct?
You might want to consider a 3 speed TH350 or even a 4 speed 200R4 trans. One with a standard BOP bellhouhing shape will bolt onto your 300 engine.
Here's a description on how to ID a switch pitch vs standard converter:
[url]http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?143723-VP-converter-Trans-visual-ID-guide[/url] ([url]http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?143723-VP-converter-Trans-visual-ID-guide[/url])
I do have a 300 engine.
I did consider the TH350 and/or 200R4, however, it seemed the consensus was to stay with the ST300. It's simpler and works well; less conversion cost. Now I'm wondering if i should consider an overdrive tranny? I do want to keep the cost down.
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Just a slight change to Loren's post. The ST300 transmission for a 1965 Skylark Gran Sport should have a "NK" code stamped in the servo cover.
I had my transmission rebuilt for about $400. Of course, I had it already removed and I installed it myself. I also supplied the transmission shop with the rebuilt kit.
John
Thanks for catching that John. I changed it in my post.
The other mistake, is that I thought it was a GS big block. It slipped my mind that George is using a 300.
That being said, it would be a "MJ" code trans for '65 and the converter would have a blue dot.
Loren
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Dear George and V-8 Buick lovers of luxury . . . .
I did consider the TH350 and/or 200R4, however, it seemed the consensus was to stay with the ST300. It's simpler and works well; less conversion cost. Now I'm wondering if i should consider an overdrive tranny? I do want to keep the cost down.
(http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/wink.gif) . . . Not to tempt you or anything . . . . (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/conscience_smiley.gif)
I think you need to decide how much you are going to drive the car in order to decide. I have driven my trusty wagon with a ST-300, TH-350, and a 200-4R. I would rank them: 200-4R, ST-300, TH-350. The TH-350 has a much shorter starting gear that gets ultimately little use but makes driving the car rougher. That shift from 1st to 2nd is rough. The ST-300 shifts more smoothly. I have an Art Carr 200-4R and it does shift rougher than I would prefer, but it is hitched to a 500+ foot•pound engine, so that is necessary to keep the transmission from disintegrating.
I can say that having a car with overdrive is a real joy! :angel4: It is so much quieter most of the time. You can enjoy conversations and the radio or stereo. Still, you need to use the car enough to justify the additional investment. If you don't expect to use the car that much, you are probably better off with the ST-300 and that will be a more authentic experience to boot.
My 2-cent!
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
P.S. Keep in mind that I'm more of a cruiser kind of guy than someone who likes to stomp on the car. If you want to get the car moving in a hurry the low gear of the TH-350 will definitely give you a better launch.
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Thanks for the input everyone! Greatly appreciated.
I think I will initially use the ST300, I'm sure it will do just fine for the first year or so. I can always do the tranny upgrade at a later date. Just wondering, what would it cost to do the 200-4R? Is there one that will bolt right up?
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Dear George and mid-60s Buick fans of cruising in overdrive,
Just wondering, what would it cost to do the 200-4R? Is there one that will bolt right up?
As far as I know all 200-4R have a BOP bellhousing and they will bolt right up to your 300. (Correct me if I'm wrong guys!) Also, they are same length as the ST-300 and the TH-350, so you don't have to mess with modifying the drive shaft.
How much one of these babies will cost depends on how you go about acquiring it. Buying a rebuilt transmission from someone like California Performance Transmission is expensive, but you only need to go that route if you have a very powerful engine. They may be completely picked over by now, but some guys had been able to find intact 200-4R from wrecked cars from the 1980s. You might find a local tranny shop that can get their hands on one from time to time. Finally, occasionally guys will put those trannies for sale. If you want to explore this route also keep an eye on V-8 Buick board since it has many more "bodies" and the 200-4R isn't a particularly common addition to a mid-60s Buick. Even if perhaps, it should be! :laughing7:
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Just wondering, what would it cost to do the 200-4R? Is there one that will bolt right up?
Here (http://www.teambuick.com/reference/library/articles/over-under-hr.php) is an article on swapping a 200-4R into a 67 Skylark behind a 340 engine. It will be the same as a conversion for a 300 engine in a 65 Skylark.
Here (http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?92675-How-to-Rebuild-a-Super-Turbine-300-(ST-300)-A-Pictoral-Essay&highlight=st300+rebuild) is the write up on the ST300 rebuild I used in conjunction with the Chassis Service Manual to rebuild mine.
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Dear Good Dr. Frankenbuick and mid-60 Buick fans,
Here ([url]http://www.teambuick.com/reference/library/articles/over-under-hr.php[/url]) is an article on swapping a 200-4R into a 67 Skylark behind a 340 engine. It will be the same as a conversion for a 300 engine in a 65 Skylark.
The 340 and 300 are basically the same engines. I forgot if the 340 is a stroker or if they punched it out a bit bigger, but it is essentially the same block. So those instructions should work fine on any 1964-67 Buick using that family of engines.
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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340 is a longer stroke and taller deck block. Easy to spot because the intake is significantly wider due to the taller deck.
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Where is the ID tag on this trans? Its awful dirty and I have not had a chance to clean it up.
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Stamped on the servo cover on the right side.
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What if there are no numbers or letters at all?