[MOJO Catalina]

Yanking the engine will be the way to go, I agree.
It'll be easier to change the rear seal, put both the engine and trans together as a unit and drop it back in.

I dropped the starter out today and there are no pre-drilled holes for the newer starter.
Looks like I'll be buying an adapter plate. Anybody out there have a used one from a wrecked car?
I should probably start a thread in the "Parts Wanted" area.

[stevep]

Originally Posted by MOJO Catalina

Yanking the engine will be the way to go, I agree.
It'll be easier to change the rear seal, put both the engine and trans together as a unit and drop it back in.

I dropped the starter out today and there are no pre-drilled holes for the newer starter.
Looks like I'll be buying an adapter plate. Anybody out there have a used one from a wrecked car?
I should probably start a thread in the "Parts Wanted" area.

I have never seen a 64 motor without the starter holes. What is the date and engine code of the block?

[poison heart]

I thought some had the holes in the block and some didn't?

[MOJO Catalina]

My car is a '63 but has the 8 bolt water pump so I was hoping it was a very late '63 model year block but it isn't..

Has anyone ever drilled and tapped holes in their '61-63 block instead of getting an adapter plate?

[MOJO Catalina]

Originally Posted by MOJO Catalina

My car is a '63 but has the 8 bolt water pump so I was hoping it was a very late '63 model year block but it isn't..

Has anyone ever drilled and tapped holes in their '61-63 block instead of getting an adapter plate?

I started a thread about this called "question for machinists."
Hopefully we'll come up with a bolt on alternative to the $3-500 adapter plate for Pontiac guys swapping to a BOP TH400 trans.. There's already a place to drill and tap the inside hole and the second mounting can probably be transferred to a close by mounting hole via metal bracket.. More on that will hopefully follow in the other thread...

Does anyone out there have the Smoke Signals 2005 that has the TH400 conversion list of parts and procedures?

Steve Peluso maybe? I was advised by the author of that article to ask about it here.
He is not in the US at his home computer and can't send it to me.

Any of you folks that might have a PDF or other file to share would be great...

Email it to ujaxes@aol.com

[MOJO Catalina]

I scored a TH400 from a 73 BOP for cheap. The guy gave me a yoke for it but it's still attached to a section of driveshaft.

How does this bugger come apart?
I see what look like plastic plugs in the sides of the mountings but it appear they would have to be drilled out.

The only universals I've ever worked on has some type of retaining ring in the ends. I don't see any retaining rings on this thing and tried to pound out the end caps but they will not a budge.

[mike nixon]

Take a torch and heat the yoke ends and the plastic will push out. That's the OE joint still in the yoke. You can then push the caps out of the yoke. DO this with the door open or outside as the plastic STINKS.


The replacement joint should have inside clips to retain it.

Mike

[MOJO Catalina]

Thanks Mike. I did what you said and it worked great.
My wife is getting a real kick out of watching me wrangle with these situations and getting all this advice from you fellas...

She calls it the "Support Group for my Sport Coupe."

Pretty good, right?

We appreciate all the help.

[poison heart]

haha that's great and that's what it is

[stevep]

Originally Posted by mike nixon

Take a torch and heat the yoke ends and the plastic will push out. That's the OE joint still in the yoke. You can then push the caps out of the yoke. DO this with the door open or outside as the plastic STINKS.


The replacement joint should have inside clips to retain it.

Mike

That reminds me of "Magic Snakes" from back in the 60's.

[mike nixon]

Get that thing roadworthy and bring up to the POCI convention in WV this yr.

The Parking lot is quite friendly in the eves, there may even be an adult beverage available.

Mike

[MOJO Catalina]

Now there's something to shoot for. Sounds like a fine time. It would be nice to roll up that way in the "new" car. Hopefully with working AC and a smooth shifting trans...

Even if I don't get the GP in order I still have the MOJOCAT or the BonnyBlu that can make the trip.

[MOJO Catalina]

I called a trans shop today about performing the swap for me.
The guy said they used to do the conversion about once a month but the guy that used to do it for them doesn't work there anymore. I asked him if he would just drop the trans and install the "new" one since I didn't have a lift or a jack, then I'd do all the rest. He still didn't want anything to do with it.

Jeesh, I thought there was a recession and nobody would turn down work.

Looks like with the money I saved, I'll just Go F*** myself, which is kinda what I thought the guy was telling me to do

The good news is that I got a hold of that conversion article from Smoke Signals but I'm still collecting parts to do the swap.
Maybe in next month...

[Keith Seymore]

I don't have a lift or a trans jack (that I use), either.

I put the car up on wood blocks; and then use the floor jack to horse these things around.

I do have a trans jack, but I don't prefer it. It is a scissors type, and seems like it wants to lean over one way or the other, making it less stable then my trusty ole floor jack.

Also - I have used ratcheting cargo straps (one on each end) to hoist a trans up and down. I've had lots of practice since I usually do the TH400 in the race car at least once a year and, on particularly bad years, sometimes three or four times a year.

I know for some guys health issues prevent them from getting down on the floor under the car (I don't recall if that's the case with you) but I at least wanted to offer a couple suggestions so you perhaps would not be "dead in the water".

(I'm also trying to prevent having to drive to NC and do this trans swap for you )

K

[poison heart]

I'll do it for a case and a half of RC

[mike nixon]

Originally Posted by MOJO Catalina

I called a trans shop today about performing the swap for me.
The guy said they used to do the conversion about once a month but the guy that used to do it for them doesn't work there anymore. I asked him if he would just drop the trans and install the "new" one since I didn't have a lift or a jack, then I'd do all the rest. He still didn't want anything to do with it.

Jeesh, I thought there was a recession and nobody would turn down work.

Looks like with the money I saved, I'll just Go F*** myself, which is kinda what I thought the guy was telling me to do

The good news is that I got a hold of that conversion article from Smoke Signals but I'm still collecting parts to do the swap.
Maybe in next month...

Most Trans shops don't want to work on old cars unless they're bone stock because they take time that can be devoted to "easy" / common jobs.

The swap shouldn't be too difficult even on the floor.

Mike

[poison heart]

I agree, grab a buddy and a case of beer and a brisket or something and you can have the swap done in no time.

[stevep]

Originally Posted by mike nixon

Most Trans shops don't want to work on old cars unless they're bone stock because they take time that can be devoted to "easy" / common jobs.

The swap shouldn't be too difficult even on the floor.

Mike

My trans shop specializes in old cars!

[Deadhead]

I will expound on this... What I did was drill 2 small holes in the saddle of my floor jack. To this I attached a rig I made out of white oak flooring that would screw to the saddle. On one side I shimmed it to fit the angle of the T-10 which sits cockeyed. I use one leg to pump the jack up while I guide it into place with both hands & any other free limbs. I have done this at least 4 times in & out. A cast iron T-10 is a heavy mother, & if I had a lift, I could not get it up there to install anyway. A TH400 should be easier to line up etc.

I love this Pic from Keith. It feels like what I have to do to swap mine. Oh yeah, put some shag carpet down & it will be comfy & allow you to take your time. I use white.

You have to look at it as a game. The shops that wont take this work don't have people working there who really love cars, so you don't want them to work on yours.

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

I don't have a lift or a trans jack (that I use), either.

I put the car up on wood blocks; and then use the floor jack to horse these things around.


K

[poison heart]

I bought a Craftsman ATV/motorcycle jack. The yellow ones. Those things work great as transmission jacks