Thread: Chevy 350 in my new 48 buick

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Hello all! I just bought a really sweet 1948 buick with lots of custom work. I have a few questions. The owner said it was a four speed automatic with overdrive. What transmission would this most likely be. I'm going to jack it up and get serial numbers tonight.

I found the engine serial # it's 32 Gm 3970010. I'm not sure what the 32 means. He best I can tell its a 69-79 350 and could be a 2 or 4 bolt main. Can you help me determine more! I want to do an oil change right away. I've been told older models need an additive. What oil should I use and additive? I was told it has a mild cam and an edelbroch performance intake. Thanks for the help

Welcome to CHR. These may help I.D. your trans. The oil I use in my engines is a bit expensive but it works great that's Valvoline VR1. I don't use additives. I'm sure others will be along soon

If it's a four speed auto it's either a 700R4/4L60E or a 200 4R. Charlie gave you the pictures for ID.

For the flat tappet engine you'll want some type of strong zinc additive, like ZDDPlus or something similar. Even better is running a racing oil, like Brad Penn's or others that carry high zinc. Sorry, I cannot help more with your engine details from the numbers.

Originally Posted by rspears

If it's a four speed auto it's either a 700R4/4L60E or a 200 4R. Charlie gave you the pictures for ID.

For the flat tappet engine you'll want some type of strong zinc additive, like ZDDPlus or something similar. Even better is running a racing oil, like Brad Penn's or others that carry high zinc. Sorry, I cannot help more with your engine details from the numbers.

No that's great! What if I put the zinc additive in and it's not a flat tappet cam. Can adding high zinc cause any problems?

Originally Posted by Zombiebrew

No that's great! What if I put the zinc additive in and it's not a flat tappet cam. Can adding high zinc cause any problems?

Nope, zinc & zinc/phosphorus are good stuff, focused on high pressure wear zones. Adding Zinc, or running the oil with high zinc is not a problem for any engine, but it's become all but mandatory for flat tappet, non-roller lifter cams.

Originally Posted by rspears

Nope, zinc & zinc/phosphorus are good stuff, focused on high pressure wear zones. Adding Zinc, or running the oil with high zinc is not a problem for any engine, but it's become all but mandatory for flat tappet, non-roller lifter cams.

Great! Zinc it is! Any other newbie tips for a wanna be hot rodder?

Ok now I have a new question....the guy who sold me the car said he kept the battery on the charger because he barely drove the car....but I tried to start the car and dead battery. So how can I check to see if there's a ground? I have a volt meter...just not sure how to use it.

Set the meter at 12V or higher. Put the red lead on the + terminal of the battery. Put the black lead on the engine block. You should get a 12V reading. Do the same test with the black lead on a bare part of the frame. You should get a 12V reading there also.

Thanks Henry I'll give that a try!

So regarding the serial number...what does the "32" mean? This is a similar stamp to how mine looked I've tried googling to no avail!

Originally Posted by Zombiebrew

Ok now I have a new question....the guy who sold me the car said he kept the battery on the charger because he barely drove the car....but I tried to start the car and dead battery. So how can I check to see if there's a ground? I have a volt meter...just not sure how to use it.

....then with everything "OFF" take a 12V test light, unhook a battery cable and put one test light lead on the cable, the other on the battery post. If it lights you have a current draw in your system draining your battery. If it lights only with a very dull glow it may be only a memory circuit in the radio or something similar.

So I bought a set of ramps and got the car off the ground. There are definitely 13 bolts and the pan looks like a th350. I was told it was a 4 speed with overdrive but the th350 doesn't have overdrive does it?

Originally Posted by Zombiebrew

So I bought a set of ramps and got the car off the ground. There are definitely 13 bolts and the pan looks like a th350. I was told it was a 4 speed with overdrive but the th350 doesn't have overdrive does it?

Nope, the TH350 and TH400 are both three forward speeds ending with a 1:1 final output ratio. The shift points should be very easy to feel, or simply watch your tach as you move from an initial start through the gears. Did you drive the car before you bought it?

Yes but not on the highway. Honestly I don't really care if it's 3 or 4. Overdrive would be nice but I've heard lots of good things about the th350. Cheap parts right?

does it have any wire connections on the side of trans ? it may be a later version th 350 with lock up convertor that would lock up and feel like another shift