Well, the time has come. My trusty hydramatic took a dump on me and left me on the side of the road. At least I looked cool sitting waiting for the tow truck! This is way above my knowledge so I took it to my transmission shop and they told me that my best and most cost effective solution is to swap in a turbo 400 and junk the hydramatic. It'll be cheaper than a rebuild and more reliable, plus it is a more common transmission, God forbid it needs work in the future. What are your thoughts? If anyone is looking for a broken 3 Speed Hydramatic for a 64, let me know, I'll sell it to you. Wont ship (its not worth it) pick up in southern va (Lynchburg/Roanoke area). I doubt it needs a lot of work, I think the biggest issue is with the throttle linkage. Wouldn't hurt having an experienced mech pull it apart and really make it work. When it worked, it shifted in weird ways. It dropped RPM way too low when it shifted into second, and it shifted into third way too late. Its a kinky girl that needs a good home. I'll let all you know how my experience goes with the turbo 400, hopefully it will be the best thing I've done to this car. Anyone want to give me money? I'm running out of it. And patience...
Time for a trans swap
- Thread starter KBTfilms
- Start date
cammerjeff
Well-known member
They are correct, the 4-speed TH is very expensive to rebuild, if you can find a shop that will even do it anymore. If you don't want to go with an overdrive trans, than a TH-400 would be the cheapest and easiest way to go.
The only thing that can complicate it is if your starter mounts to the transmission. (I don't what year your car is) TH-400's do not have provisions for s Transmission mounted starter.
There are ways around it but I don't remember exactly how at the moment.
The only thing that can complicate it is if your starter mounts to the transmission. (I don't what year your car is) TH-400's do not have provisions for s Transmission mounted starter.
There are ways around it but I don't remember exactly how at the moment.