Im going to purchase a transmission for my 401 nailhead and have found what I think is a st400. Can anyone confirm or deny please.
Judging by the side supports, that are used in the machining process, it's a TH400. Whether or not it's a switch-pitch will depend on the wiring to the trans. Better/more pics will give a better answer. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
it has the visual clues to make me think it's a ST400 for a Buick. The bellhousing was used thru 66, and they were all switch pitch in Buicks in that era, right? I wouldn't hand over any cash until getting a better look at it..
Ok I'm going to pick it up this weekend if possible. He is asking $100 which i think is fair. Its a 2 hour drive from me so I will likely take it home regardless. The transmission pan should be the big giveaway correct? Same as a TH400 if memory serves me.
yeah. Look at the input shafts....the outer one (the stator support) has a short spline, and a wide journal on a super turbine. Also make sure the bellhousing bolt pattern looks right, not a Jeep or Cadillac or Rolls Royce or Jaguar. Also the tag on the side should have a two letter code starting with Buick and the date 64, 65, or 66
Ok next question is the torque converter is gone. How hard is it to find a converter assuming its a switch pitch and if its not how hard is it to convert to non switch?
You would have to change the pump assembly and input shaft (which generally includes the forward clutch drum) to make it "normal". SP converters are getting harder to find...ask a transmission shop if they can get them still? The old Dacco number for the 400 switch pitch converter is B2, the number for the smaller diameter 300 switch pitch converter is B1 (not B1A). I just googled, there's a B2 on amazon for a couple bills.... http://www.amazon.com/DACCO-Torque-Converter-Remanufactured-Transmission/dp/B00ETHEDLC
Cool deal thank you very much. I will know more tomorrow when I grab the trans. Good find on Amazon I've heard of a company called tri shield performance I believe that builds custom SP converters but have no info on their website.
KB got out of the business years ago. I just got a converter from Jim at Tri Shield, put it in my Chevy II, it's working pretty well. Then on Drag Week I ran into a couple guys who know him pretty well, they said he doesn't build them himself, he has another place do it. I wonder where that place is. btw mine cost four bills, stall speed is around 3000 rpm now, supposed to have brazed fins, etc. It survived a 4100 mile trip including half a dozen drag strip runs and didn't put any metal flakes in the pan, so it must be OK.
You need a Dynaflow if your 401 is 63 or earlier. The crank is different on the later engines and will accept the ST400 without mods. There is an adapter or bushing that is available to convert earlier engines. I can't tell what trans you are showing, but it does not appear to be a Dynaflow.
DACCO's part number for the switch pitch torque converter is B2. Should still be available, I got a new one about a year ago for the Chevy TH400 behind the 409 in my 39 chevy coupe that I converted to switch pitch with some Buick parts from a spare nailhead trans. Works great with about 2800 stall in the high stall mode. No problem to change to non switch pitch. Just need the front pump from a non switch pitch trans.
best I ever got out of stock rebuilt converters was about 2000 on a B2, and 2500 on a B1. Mostly the B1s are good for about 2200. this is behind mild big blocks.
Well I picked up the trans yesterday and it's 400 switch pitch! The only problem now is the missing converter which is no big deal and the bell housing is cracked so it's getting tore down and off to the welders.
PAE Enterprises out of El Paso has a variety of stalls for a switch pitch. When I ordered a trans a decade ago from Poston it came on a PAE pallet
Is anything more than a SP300 converter and flex plate required to put a 12" converter in instead of the 13"?
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