Richard Cranium
Well-known member
just checking in again.
one day short of a month later and on the same page.
one day short of a month later and on the same page.
Things that happen in my garage
- Thread starter dlcwent
- Start date
shortykorte
Well-known member
Dan's chilling in the cool weather.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Okay guys..........
Andy, this is no "screw thread" but very clever of you as usual. It is a Wentworth not a Whitworth thread.
Mark, you have no room to talk.
So as some of you may know, we've been doing a transmission transplant in a 61 Caddy. The owner wanted us to put a TH350 in place of the "Jetaway". Mind you this is all at his request. I have a different opinion as to what should have been done.
The first step was to find an adapter plate for the 390 to allow the mate up. With a little help from the guys over on the "Jalopy Journal" here it is installed.
A little more reading and I found out that the starter they were trying to sell me for $179.00 was a started that a 90 Dakota Magnum used and was available and the local parts store for $70.00. ( Yeah I bought the $179.00 one
NOT)
I'm out of time. I'll continue the story later.
Andy, this is no "screw thread" but very clever of you as usual. It is a Wentworth not a Whitworth thread.
Mark, you have no room to talk.
So as some of you may know, we've been doing a transmission transplant in a 61 Caddy. The owner wanted us to put a TH350 in place of the "Jetaway". Mind you this is all at his request. I have a different opinion as to what should have been done.
The first step was to find an adapter plate for the 390 to allow the mate up. With a little help from the guys over on the "Jalopy Journal" here it is installed.
A little more reading and I found out that the starter they were trying to sell me for $179.00 was a started that a 90 Dakota Magnum used and was available and the local parts store for $70.00. ( Yeah I bought the $179.00 one
NOT)I'm out of time. I'll continue the story later.
Grizzly Guy
Well-known member
Glad you could drop in and up date us Dan, always interesting to see what projects take up your time,have a good one.
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
WOW! Nice update
61 Caddy and you're butchering it What kind of shape is it in?
I think the transmission swap is the right move if the car is to be driven much. We're ready for more pictures
(WOC looks good!)
61 Caddy and you're butchering it
What kind of shape is it in?I think the transmission swap is the right move if the car is to be driven much. We're ready for more pictures
(WOC looks good!)xtremek
Well-known member
So, I'm curious. What would you have done?
jbmatth
Well-known member
Small block chevy swap with a 4-speed. LOL
JB
JB
sublime68charger
Well-known member
shortykorte
Well-known member
LS7 w/6 speed.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
BBChevro
Well-known member
Keith Black and Lenco? 
shortykorte
Well-known member
cbacres
Well-known member
429 and a C-6
This^
1/2 Cup
Member Emeritus
Dan, looking forward to your continuation..
53PontiacSD
Well-known member
I know....Escalade 6.0L with 6 speed auto.
Bob Heine
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Dan, I have a soft spot for the Hydramatic/Jetaway transmissions. Right after my accident in 1965 I acquired a small block Chevy engine and a dual-range (4-speed) Hydramatic with a bellhousing for a small block Chevy (I think it came out of a GMC truck). It was my solution for having to drive an automatic because I refused to waste my time on a two-speed Powerglide.
In the early 60s the manual transmission was king and power shifting was the rule at the dragstrip. One exception was the S&K Speed Shop's Anglia with a roller-cammed small block connected to a Hydramatic.
In 1964 S&K Speed Shop did the machine work on my my 235ci Chevy six. The shop was in Farmingdale on Long Island, NY.
https://skspeed.com/history
The straight-six engine produced amazing torque but its restricted RPM made horsepower that was nothing to brag about. With a really low first gear it would outrun some powerful V8s in the 1/10th mile strip marked out on the street next to the railroad tracks (the trestle cut off most of the sounds of our racing).
Well thank you all for your comments and opinions as to what should have been done. I think Mark is the winner. Keith Black and Lenco.
I've tried a couple of times to add to this but the GJ is not playing nice. Two lengthy posts and a couple of pictures disappearing has kind of taken some of the wind out of my sails. I wanted to get this much out so you guys didn't think I was leaving you all hanging.
Hit "submit reply" and then start another one.
I've tried a couple of times to add to this but the GJ is not playing nice. Two lengthy posts and a couple of pictures disappearing has kind of taken some of the wind out of my sails. I wanted to get this much out so you guys didn't think I was leaving you all hanging.
Hit "submit reply" and then start another one.
Well at least that one posted.
So as I said, I picked up the starter at the local parts store.
It's a high torque starter that was used on a Dakota Magnum (1990 circa.) Again, thanks to the guys over on the Jalopy Journal.
A little back peddling: One of my buddies has an older bone yard. A lot of 70's parts. So I went to see him to get the TH350. The one he told me to take was a working transmission when it was parked. I didn't care as I was going to rebuild it anyway. But nice to know the torque converter and pump were working at one point in time. So I brought it back to the shop and threw it on the bench and luckily didn't start tearing it down until the next day. When I got back to it the next morning, I noticed that there was ****** fluid on the casing that at first I thought was dripping from the cut off coolant lines. So I was cleaning it up a bit and realized it was actually not coming from the lines but the case had a crack in it.
[Picture should be here]??????
Sorry to do this but I don't want to lose another post so ....................to be continued.....vvv
So as I said, I picked up the starter at the local parts store.
It's a high torque starter that was used on a Dakota Magnum (1990 circa.) Again, thanks to the guys over on the Jalopy Journal.
A little back peddling: One of my buddies has an older bone yard. A lot of 70's parts. So I went to see him to get the TH350. The one he told me to take was a working transmission when it was parked. I didn't care as I was going to rebuild it anyway. But nice to know the torque converter and pump were working at one point in time. So I brought it back to the shop and threw it on the bench and luckily didn't start tearing it down until the next day. When I got back to it the next morning, I noticed that there was ****** fluid on the casing that at first I thought was dripping from the cut off coolant lines. So I was cleaning it up a bit and realized it was actually not coming from the lines but the case had a crack in it.
[Picture should be here]??????
Sorry to do this but I don't want to lose another post so ....................to be continued.....vvv
Ah dan. The same problem I had for at least three months. Work on A post and have it disappear into outer space when trying to submit it. What makes it even worst for me is I can not type, I am a pick and peck person. I do not reply to often but I read every one of your post. Keep up the good work.
walt
walt
So back to my buddies for another TH350......... Off we go for a little walk about his 100+ acre yard. Down in the second field he's got a E150 and it's full of transmissions and various other stuff. Yep he says, that one was working when I pulled it out of a car that one of my old girlfriends totaled. So we load it up and it's back to my shop. Up on the bench and then the teardown started.
Out comes the pump.
The forward clutches look okay but what's all this rust?
Take the valve body off.
And OH NO, water damage and no acid tank to dip it in.
Strike two. Guess I'm heading back one more time.
Out comes the pump.
The forward clutches look okay but what's all this rust?
Take the valve body off.
And OH NO, water damage and no acid tank to dip it in.
Strike two. Guess I'm heading back one more time.
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
Yeah, don't you dare leave us hanging. Two days without a post and you know we're all out of here.
Just wondering, could you swap valve body between the cracked case and the trusty rusty? I'm just curious. And I'm not a cat.
Just wondering, could you swap valve body between the cracked case and the trusty rusty? I'm just curious. And I'm not a cat.
bolensboneyard
Well-known member
So back to my buddies for another TH350......... Off we go for a little walk about his 100+ acre yard. Down in the second field he's got a E150 and it's full of transmissions and various other stuff. Yep he says, that one was working when I pulled it out of a car that one of my old girlfriends totaled. So we load it up and it's back to my shop. Up on the bench and then the teardown started.
Out comes the pump.
The forward clutches look okay but what's all this rust?
Take the valve body off.
And OH NO, water damage and no acid tank to dip it in.
Strike two. Guess I'm heading back one more time.
Dan hope your keeping all those bad transmissions for parts. You should be able to build a good one by the time you are thru.
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
Dan hope your keeping all those bad transmissions for parts. You should be able to build a good one by the time you are thru.
Yeah, and that cracked case, good for nothing...
Thanks guys. Walrus, damn few yards you are allowed to walk around anymore. It used to be that they'd let you go and get what you wanted for parts, now in this sue happy world, you can't do that.
Andy, good valve body in the cracked case but why too much rust in the "good" casing. If I had a dip tank (or if I were you, I'd probably make one) I would have cleaned it up and proceeded. Anyway, I'm about to go get another one from this guy.
Bobby, I know right. I need a bus or trailer to store all this great stuff in. I'm running out of room in my 35'x75' garage.
I won't leave you guys hanging.............
Andy, good valve body in the cracked case but why too much rust in the "good" casing. If I had a dip tank (or if I were you, I'd probably make one) I would have cleaned it up and proceeded. Anyway, I'm about to go get another one from this guy.
Bobby, I know right. I need a bus or trailer to store all this great stuff in. I'm running out of room in my 35'x75' garage.
I won't leave you guys hanging.............
So "third times a charm" they say. Back own into the second field but off to an old box truck this time. Pry open the door and WOAH, she full of you name it. Pick through some of the pile and pull out another TH350. I feel good about his one.
Back at my shop I start the teardown.
Pump out
Valve body off
I'm liking the looks of this little puppy.
Sorry guys, but out of time for now. The saga will continue.
Back at my shop I start the teardown.
Pump out
Valve body off
I'm liking the looks of this little puppy.
Sorry guys, but out of time for now. The saga will continue.
So on with the story.
I could show you a bunch of pictures of the rebuild but am only going to show a couple. Mainly because I want to show JB some of my "special" transmission tools. This is what I use to compress the pistons in the clutch pack JB.
Yep, that's right, it's a 3" saddle from an exhaust clamp. Pretty high tech eh?
And after putting on the new lips seals, I use my trusty feeler gauge to make sure they don't roll when the piston is put back in place.
Pretty special tools don't you think?
Again, sorry to break this up but I've lost too many posts and uploaded pictures in the past. So....................vv
I could show you a bunch of pictures of the rebuild but am only going to show a couple. Mainly because I want to show JB some of my "special" transmission tools. This is what I use to compress the pistons in the clutch pack JB.
Yep, that's right, it's a 3" saddle from an exhaust clamp. Pretty high tech eh?
And after putting on the new lips seals, I use my trusty feeler gauge to make sure they don't roll when the piston is put back in place.
Pretty special tools don't you think?
Again, sorry to break this up but I've lost too many posts and uploaded pictures in the past. So....................vv
So next hurdle was to re do the transmission mount. It really wasn't much of a hurdle. A little cutting and welding ( and a trip to the parts store for the proper mount) Which by the way if I remember, is the mount used in a 80 something S-10 2WD. I'll get back to the exact year if anyone really needs to know.
The next problem was the drive shaft. And that one took a little longer to resolve. By taking the front piece (two piece shaft originally) and changing the yolk and u-joint, we were able to use the splined end (with another u-joint) and keep the center bearing (did have to be re-drilled for it's new location) and then found a two piece shaft out of a 70's chevy something that we used the back shaft to actually give us the right length to make it all work. Got a picture but it's not that impressive.
I told you it wasn't that impressive.
Sorry but out of time.....................
The next problem was the drive shaft. And that one took a little longer to resolve. By taking the front piece (two piece shaft originally) and changing the yolk and u-joint, we were able to use the splined end (with another u-joint) and keep the center bearing (did have to be re-drilled for it's new location) and then found a two piece shaft out of a 70's chevy something that we used the back shaft to actually give us the right length to make it all work. Got a picture but it's not that impressive.
I told you it wasn't that impressive.
Sorry but out of time.....................
Now we can start butchering the car. He picked out this shifter.
It's the Star shifter. My suggestion to him because it has a reverse lock out.
I'll finish this up in the next couple of days with a couple of "DONE" pictures. It's been a lot of fun ruining this Caddy. How often does one get a chance to do that to a 61 Caddy? I doubt I'll ever have another one that someone wants that done to. Thanks for your interest and comments guys.
It's the Star shifter. My suggestion to him because it has a reverse lock out.
I'll finish this up in the next couple of days with a couple of "DONE" pictures. It's been a lot of fun ruining this Caddy. How often does one get a chance to do that to a 61 Caddy? I doubt I'll ever have another one that someone wants that done to. Thanks for your interest and comments guys.
BBChevro
Well-known member
I would never have expected to see a B&M shifter in a Caddy.
The TH350 is probably not the worst choice though, that low first gear will help get it moving (although I don't know what the ratios of the original box were).
The TH350 is probably not the worst choice though, that low first gear will help get it moving (although I don't know what the ratios of the original box were).
tymbo
Well-known member
I have a funny story about the star shifter I installed in my first car a LONG time ago. In my youthful exuberance, I did not reconnect the neutral safety switch. This allowed the car to be started while in drive! I ended up almost crashing through the garage wall. Other than that, it was an awesome shifter.
Other than that, it was an awesome shifter.jbmatth
Well-known member
I love all of the special high tech tools you use, I think I might even have some of those somewhere. I just don't have a trans that needs rebuilt now, Andy does though.
JB
JB
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
A lot of fun to see actual work in this place. I'm impressed!
Coming together good! And you've created "frankenshaft"!
Coming together good! And you've created "frankenshaft"!
Lyndon
Well-known member
Dan
Where are ya mate????
Been ages since we saw you around......
Lyndon
Lookin', lookin'
Where are ya mate????
Been ages since we saw you around......
Lyndon
Lookin', lookin'
53PontiacSD
Well-known member
Lyndon, Dan has been away taking care of his Mother. He should be back soon. Last I heard his Mother was on the mend.
xtremek
Well-known member
Hey 53, thanks for the update. I'm sure I can speak for everyone on this in that we hope that your mom is doing well and hope it wasn't too serious.
