Technical Buick Straight 8 manual trans choices...

[krooser]

This weekend a few guys were discussing manual trans choices for late 40's-early 50's Buick straight 8's.

Those selector transmissions are Ok but shifters are pretty rare... what's available to adapt a GM three/four speed to one the old Buick bellhousings?

[22 track]

http://www.transmissionadapters.com/...ht_263_320.htm

[F&J]

The only GM trans that will bolt to that pattern and not be a just a different version of a GM selector, is the 37 Buick big series top shift trans. Lot of money and work, if you could even find one.

If you have average tools you can build a simple shifter using a big heim joint as the swivel, just like one company did back then. It has a backwards pattern, but will be the easiest shifter to make. real easy

[airhead]

Originally Posted by 22 track

http://www.transmissionadapters.com/...ht_263_320.htm

Their kit is complete with adapter plates, mini starter, crankshaft adapter, flex plate and all grade 8 bolts. It works with all chevrolet automatics and manual transmissions, new flywheels are also available and come with pilot bushing. I have the kit for my 263 and it is an excellent kit in both fit and finish. In my opinion it was well worth the big bucks it cost.

[Hnstray]

Originally Posted by F&J

The only GM trans that will bolt to that pattern and not be a just a different version of a GM selector, is the 37 Buick big series top shift trans. Lot of money and work, if you could even find one.

Frank, that's applicable to the big 320 series engines (Century/Roadmaster) , but does not fit the smaller engine (248/263 Special/Super). Looks the same, but different dimensions everywhere, except for the top two bolts.

The previous post recommending Bendtsens is, in my opinion, the best alternative for a choice of modern GM trannys.....stick or automatic.

Ray

[krooser]

I was thinking Berndstens kit was auto only... thanks for clarifying that. Lots of other good info on these old selector transmissions, too.

[UNSHINED 2]

Hey kroozer.....

I can attest to the quality of the Bentsen adapter. Helped my buddy put one of their adapters in a '40 Buick with a T-5 adapted to the stock I-8.... everything lined up great! Only thing we had to do was drill and tap the crankshaft to the size bolts that were sent with the kit. I guess they had different choices from the factory.?.?.?

[Hnstray]

I, too, bought a Bendtsens adapter for my Straight 8 Buick, should have mentioned that in my earlier poet, and the quality of the parts is excellent. Not cheap, but quality seldom is. In my opinion, the product is worth the price.


Ray

[krooser]

Originally Posted by UNSHINED 2

Hey kroozer.....

I can attest to the quality of the Bentsen adapter. Helped my buddy put one of their adapters in a '40 Buick with a T-5 adapted to the stock I-8.... everything lined up great! Only thing we had to do was drill and tap the crankshaft to the size bolts that were sent with the kit. I guess they had different choices from the factory.?.?.?

Stick and Dynafow were different... 3/8 vs 7/16 IIRC.... maybe 7/16 vs 1/2"???

[airhead]

Bendstens has the crank shaft adapters for both the manual and dynaflow crankshafts, just let them know which you have if you order.

[krooser]

Thanks...

[handmedown40limited]

You can have the bell housing machined to fit a Muncie open up the centering I'D and drill/tap new 1/2-13 holes. Input shaft length is the same. Then you keep all stock clutch linkages etc.

this is for the larger 320 not sure about 248/263

This guy is a genious when it comes to the buick 320
http://www.roadmachine.fi/Buick/Rmaster.html

He did as I mentioned above with greater detail. His site is a great resource. I am building a 40 buick with a 320

[Hnstray]

Originally Posted by handmedown40limited

You can have the bell housing machined to fit a Muncie open up the centering I'D and drill/tap new 1/2-13 holes. Input shaft length is the same. Then you keep all stock clutch linkages etc.

this is for the larger 320 not sure about 248/263

This guy is a genious when it comes to the buick 320
http://www.roadmachine.fi/Buick/Rmaster.html

He did as I mentioned above with greater detail. His site is a great resource. I am building a 40 buick with a 320

Will not work on 248/263 bellhousings.......no place to put the bottom bolts on the GM trans pattern. They intersect the bottom edge of the bellhousing and there is insufficient "meat" there to drill and tap.

I have a bellhousing already machined for the front bearing retainer of the later trans, but abandoned the idea in favor of the Bendtsen's adapter for the above reason.

I do think the big 320 bellhousing might be utilized in the fashion you describe, as that transmission has the lower bolts closer to the later GM spacing and the bellhousing/trans mating face is deeper.

Ray

[handmedown40limited]

I just reread the section in the site I posted and he states he had to weld on some meat and machine flat then drill and tap.

But it is doable