[C-lane]

How much would a 64-65 215 straight 6 be worth? And what transmission would be behind it on a 65 tempest? Would said trans hold up to a 400 v8

[b-man]

The 215 six is a giveaway item in the majority of cases, really worth next to nothing. Gave mine away, didn’t even bother trying tto get anything for it. At one time I picked up a complete running Chevy 194 from a local guy within 10 miles of my house, free. Sold it a couple years later for $150 to another local guy who posted a want ad on one of the forums I frequent.

Usually backed by either the standard 3-speed manual or optional Super Turbine 300 2-speed auto that’s air cooled rather than fluid cooled like on V8 applications. Lucked out and sold my good working ST300 for $100 to a local guy who needed one for his six cylinder Tempest wagon who had posted a want ad here, if he wasn’t close enough to pick it up it never would’ve sold and would’ve ended up getting scrapped.

Advertising these for sale would have likely produced little to no interest from local parties, in both instances I was lucky find want ads from potential LOCAL buyers. Shipping costs would have negated any chance for a sale.

Find a decent TH350 or TH400 for your 400 hp V8 or any good 4-speed and associated V8 flywheel, clutch and bellhousing if driving a stick suits you.

Honestly the six-banger drivetrain has little value and is better off cast aside.

[U47]

Originally Posted by b-man

The 215 six is a giveaway item in the majority of cases, really worth next to nothing. Gave mine away, didn’t even bother trying it o get anything for it.

Usually backed by either the standard 3-speed manual or optional Super Turbine 300 2-speed auto that’s air cooled rather than fluid cooled like on V8 applications. Lucked out and sold my good working ST300 for $100 to a local guy who needed one for his six cylinder Tempest wagon who had posted a want ad here, if he wasn’t close enough to pick it up it never would’ve sold and would’ve ended up getting scrapped.

Find a decent TH350 or TH400 for your 400 hp V8 or any good 4-speed and associated V8 flywheel, clutch and bellhousing if driving a stick suits you.

Honestly the six-banger drivetrain has little value and is better off cast aside.

The 215 Is a Chevy engine built to Pontiac's specification "215". Used only in 1964 and 1965. The engine is the third generation of the Chevy six. and made from 1962-1988 ( 1964-2001 in Brazil). The engine is very strong with a great bottom with a main bearing between each connecting rod.. 7 main bearings in all.

The 215 used the Chevrolet PowerGlide automatic while the 326 2bbl. and 4BBl and the 389 4bbl and 3-2bbl used the ST300. The St 300 is different from Olds and Buick versions. The Pontiac uses a fixed stator while Buick and Olds uses the Variable Pitch Stator.

[b-man]

The ST300 behind my 215 had a dual-pattern bell with both Chevy and BOP patterns.

Definitely wasn't a Powerglide, I know the difference between them. Pan shape and location of the vacuum modulator as well as the number of bolts attaching the tail shaft housing are easily distinguished between the two transmission. ST300 has an electric kick down, Powerglide has a mechanical linkage for that function.

I'm also aware that the 215 was essentially a Chevy 230 with a smaller 3.750" bore as opposed to the 3.875" bore used by the Chevy 230, 250 & 292. Other than having 'PONTIAC' cast into the side of the block and being painted Pontiac Light Blue they're pretty much indistinguishable from one another.

Again, of little value for resale.

[U47]

Originally Posted by b-man

The ST300 behind my 215 had a dual-pattern bell with both Chevy and BOP patterns.

Definitely wasn't a Powerglide, I know the difference between them. Pan shape and location of the vacuum modulator as well as the number of bolts attaching the tail shaft housing are easily distinguished between the two transmission.

I'm also aware that the 215 was essentially a Chevy 230 with a smaller 3.750" bore as opposed to the 3.875" bore used by the Chevy 230, 250 & 292. Other than having 'PONTIAC' cast into the side of the block and being painted Pontiac Light Blue they're pretty much indistinguishable from one another.

Again, of little value for resale.

I have never seen a ST300 behind a 215 for 64-65, doesn't mean it didn't happen. My neighbor has a 64 Tempest custom with power glide. BTW it's air cooled too and it's never been out of the car.

3rd gen Chevrolet started life as the 194" in 1962, a four cylinder version was 153", then for Pontiac the 215, then Chevrolet 230, 250, 292 .
Unusual for these engines is they use independent ball-rocker arm at a rocker ratio at 1.75 to one.

[b-man]

Dual pattern air cooled ST300 bell from my '64 Tempest.



Air cooled converter with shroud.



Converter cover used with air cooling.



Trusty '64 215.

j

[C-lane]

So in order to tell what trans is in it I need to see if it has a mechanical kick down or electric? And if it's a powerglide air cooled would it be worth fixing up for a 400 stock motor? And my 75 557 400 only has 3 bolt holes for motor mounts but two flat spots after the 3. Can I drill them to make compatible for 65 tempest

[b-man]

Originally Posted by C-lane

So in order to tell what trans is in it I need to see if it has a mechanical kick down or electric? And if it's a powerglide air cooled would it be worth fixing up for a 400 stock motor? And my 75 557 400 only has 3 bolt holes for motor mounts but two flat spots after the 3. Can I drill them to make compatible for 65 tempest

1) Yes, that would be the simplest way to ID it.

2) No not really, finding and rebuilding a TH350 would be better and probably cheaper. A 2-speed just saps performance on the street, having a 3-speed auto makes it feel like you added 100 hp. You would have to convert that air cooled auto to fluid cooled for V8 use, might as well start with a 3-speed auto and do it right.

3) Yes if you're good at drilling accurately placed and straight holes and somewhat adept at tapping the four blind holes which will require both regular and bottoming 7/16-14 taps.

[U47]

A Buick / Olds ST300 works just as good or better than a T350 when set properly. Off the line at wide open throttle you have a stator at 52 Degrees, then changes to 32 degrees, then shifts and again at 52 degrees, then changes and you have 32 degrees. You have 2 gears but 4 ratios.
At light throttle you have 32 degrees in 1st and second. Great for high mileage.

[moneypit]

I have the original drive train from my 64 Lemans , 215 California model with a ST-300.

[C-lane]

Originally Posted by b-man

1) Yes, that would be the simplest way to ID it.

2) No not really, finding and rebuilding a TH350 would be better and probably cheaper. A 2-speed just saps performance on the street, having a 3-speed auto makes it feel like you added 100 hp. You would have to convert that air cooled auto to fluid cooled for V8 use, might as well start with a 3-speed auto and do it right.

3) Yes if you're good at drilling accurately placed and straight holes and somewhat adept at tapping the four blind holes which will require both regular and bottoming 7/16-14 taps.

Ok thanks for the info.

As for the th350 I would probably rather go that route considering I don't know Jack about an air cooled trans...didn't even know they existed until you told me. Plus I had already planned on using a reverse manual valve body and I highly doubt they have one for a 2 speed trans. May go for a 4 speed automatic. Unless of course there is a way to go manual like take a chevy manual and see about taking the linkage. Know anything about a conversion or a link to one on here?

Ok I'm actually good at drilling and have everything I need. Just wanted to make sure before I drilled a motor

[C-lane]

Originally Posted by moneypit

I have the original drive train from my 64 Lemans , 215 California model with a ST-300.

How do you like it? I see you have it behind a 455!? What year 455 do you have it behind?

[C-lane]

Originally Posted by U47

A Buick / Olds ST300 works just as good or better than a T350 when set properly. Off the line at wide open throttle you have a stator at 52 Degrees, then changes to 32 degrees, then shifts and again at 52 degrees, then changes and you have 32 degrees. You have 2 gears but 4 ratios.
At light throttle you have 32 degrees in 1st and second. Great for high mileage.

What do you mean great for high mileage. Sorry I don't know much about transmissions. Tried to do a transgo shift kit on a aod valve body and messed that up. I'm good at changing valve body's seals and servo piston but clutchs, ratios etc I'm a little lost

[U47]

Originally Posted by C-lane

Ok thanks for the info.

As for the th350 I would probably rather go that route considering I don't know Jack about an air cooled trans...didn't even know they existed until you told me. Plus I had already planned on using a reverse manual valve body and I highly doubt they have one for a 2 speed trans. May go for a 4 speed automatic. Unless of course there is a way to go manual like take a chevy manual and see about taking the linkage. Know anything about a conversion or a link to one on here?

Ok I'm actually good at drilling and have everything I need. Just wanted to make sure before I drilled a motor

Only the sixes received the air cooled units. The V8 cars are water cooled, and only the Buick and Olds are switch pitch stators.

[moneypit]

Originally Posted by C-lane

How do you like it? I see you have it behind a 455!? What year 455 do you have it behind?

Sorry for the misunderstanding, I have the ST-300 in the garage with the original 215. The car is running aT350. If it were me I'd run a overdrive A/T of some type. I have a 700R4 in my 37 with a 455 and 3.73 gears, I love it! At some point the 64 will get a O/D trans as well.

Colt.