Thread: Project 29 rpu is underway!!

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Good call on the trans Don (in my opinion). That adapter kit looks like it's comprised of quality pieces. I used an adapter to go from a Chrysler engine to GM automatic in my coupe and I was very happy with the installation and results.

I have fond memories of those old 4-speed Hydramatics. Back in college I had a '60 Pontiac Catalina 2-door sedan. It was Sierra Copper with a white roof and copper/brown cloth interior. It had dog dish hubcaps and blackwall tires. It was the perfect example of a "grandma car"... until you power-braked it up and launched. Holy crap, Batman! I've never owned another factory sled that launched as hard as that old Pontiac! I surprised a few muscle car owners with that old jewel and it was just a 389 two-barrel. I have no idea what the first gear ratio was in those old Hydros, but that thing would just leap off the line. It probably only went about 35 or 40 feet before the first shift... I believe the first B&M Hydro-stick transmissions were built from those.

Finding parts and someone who can work on one of those now days would probably be a challenge. Also, they are heavy. With the availability of shift kits and higher-stall converters we have now, switching to the later model stuff is probably a good call, but those old 4-gear Hydros were fun in their day.

Yeah, Bob from Bendtsens can be a little quirky sometimes and you never know if he will he friendly or blow you off when you call, but he does make some nice, oddball parts. I decided a modern transmission, and also a much smaller lighter one would be the way to go. Didn't want to spend the $2000.00 I'll have in the adapter and the transmission, but it should simplify things a lot.

I also considered buying the adapter they sell to put a stick setup behind the same motor, but there isn't a lot of foot room in there and I kinda like the convenience of an automatic. I got a 2800 stall convertor with it, so it should pull pretty hard with the 3:42's back there.

Bill, I saw your adapter setup, they really build a nice one. That's the thing about buying a quality setup like you got, it does what it is supposed to do and saves you a bunch of work.

Jim, I know what you mean about the old 4 speed hydros, they would launch like gangbusters, but only for the first couple of feet before you shifted into second gear.

Don

J.Robinson wrote:

OK, guys. There's something fishy going on here. I was at Billetproof, I was all over the place at least 3 times, and I was in the "garage sale", but I never saw Don. I saw Bill (Gastrick) and his coupe with the Hemi (NICE!), but no Don. I think he must have grown a mustache and worn a toupe to become incognito... or maybe he's avoiding some of us... Hmmmm?

Funny that's the same conclusion I came to at Daytona this year.
Found the blue T and the T with the bronze wheels, but no Don and son. Traveled 1000 miles to meet my hero and my hero went shopping.
Oh what he hell, met some other neat people. Going to give Don one more chance when I venture down to Ft. Myers area in June.

Don wrote:

I will document the installation of the Chevy transmission to the early Olds motor in case anyone here might be interested in doing the same thing.

Yes, please do that. I have been considering swapping out my hydro in my 57 for a more modern tranny and would love to see your efforts.

Yeah, sorry Bob, as soon as we park our cars we head for the swap meet area...........might be something we can't live without.

Bob, if you go to Bendtsens website and go down to a section with Thunderods or something similar, there is an article on swapping this transmission into an early Olds. It is pretty informative. I got tracking info on my swap kit, it should be here next week. My plan is to pull the Olds engine and clean it up and paint it at last. It's all done as far as rebuilding it, just needs some red paint put on it, and the carbs sent off to American Carburator for rebuilding and dying.

I'll post up lots of pictures of how the adapter works and all.

Don

Continuing my never ending quest to rescue the American economy one car part at a time I received the Bendtsens transmission adapter and the turbo 350 from Jackson's Racing Transmissions also showed up today.

I am really impressed with the Bendtsen kit. I always thought the $ 995.00 price tag was a little high, but after seeing the workmanship I can see where it was worth it. The problem is that the 394 Olds engines have a very long bellhousing, so if you simply bolt up a regular adapter plate to them the torque converter is still about 4 inches from the crankshaft and flexplate. This kit puts the flexplate in the regular place (but they give you a new, special flexplate) and a long coupler that moves a triangular plate back to where it will mate up with the 350 torque converter. Pretty well thought out piece, actually.

It comes complete with flywheel, crank adapter, adaper/spacer, triangular plate, and all ARP bolts needed to install it. There are pretty good instructions, but it looks pretty straightforward to me.

I got a few upgrades with the TH350, but it is pretty much the same one I got for my 23T. That one has been flawless. So far this transmission makes number 4 we have bought from Luke Jackson, and we have been very pleased with his service and all that stuff so far.

I don't want to dig into installing this kit just yet because I have to pull the body back off the RPU and modify the engine and transmission mounts. To start on it right now would take time away from me helping Dan get his rod running, and that is priority number one for now. I feel really good that I made the leap and bought this setup that will allow me to use the TH350. I could have had my cast iron Dual Path Olds 4 speed automatic rebuilt for maybe the same money, but I would have had a 1959 transmission that never was a killer when new, and if it went out far from home I would be out of luck. TH350 stuff is available everywhere, so it should be much easier to fix and keep alive.

Here are some pictures of the transmission and the adapter setup. As promised, when we do put this all together I'll do a detailed post in case anyone else is thinking about doing the same thing.

Don

Don - I was looking back through your thread for Dan's rpu. You might want to look back at post #2. You've changed directions on this body that Dan gave you and it was supposed to be done last November!!

WHAT???? ME CHANGE DIRECTIONS OR MISS A DEADLINE????? NEVER!! That would be like me saying I could build a car for $ 3,000 and then not living up to my word.

(memo to self: Never put anything in writing again.)

Don