I have left the Riv sitting for too long and will start the process of getting it back on the road. It is a 63 with a 401 and Dynaflow. The box is not good and my choices are to rebuild the box which is very expensive here or convert to a 350 or maybe 700R4. I will probably use a Bendstens conversion unit unless someone here can point me in a different direction. I think the 3 or 4 speed auto will make this a nice driving car. Anyone here who has made a similar choice and what did you feel about the eventual outcome.
There is a turbo 400 that will bolt up to your motor. I think it was a one year thing. 65? Rivs. You need the driveshaft too. Well I was wrong. Not a turbo 400, but a ST400
The 63 block will not accept the 65 auto trans directly. Buick used a switch pitch 400 that I believe is different to a regular 400. In any event Riviera parts here in Australia are not plentiful.
Rivieras aside, how available are U S Buicks in your area? A full size Buick sedan from '64/'66 that has both the 401 and the Super Turbine 400 transmission (switch pitch 400) could possibly cost less than adapting a later trans using your existing engine. It may not be economically feasible, but thought worth suggesting for your consideration. One final thought: a long time close friend of mine was an outstanding GM mechanic/technician for several decades and overhauled hundreds of automatics over the years. I recall him saying the last generation "Triple Tubine Dynaflow" was really a pretty good transmission. Maybe rebuilding yours would the least expensive, least complicated and suitable for your intended use. Ray
Buick had two autos from 64 to 66, the SP400 (switch pitch) and the ST400 (super turbine). Either of these will bolt up to your 401. I have an ST400 complete with the Bendtsens spigot adapter which I may consider selling as I've gone with a T5 in my build. You would have to get either a 64-66 Buick starter or a Bendtsen mini starter with this combo.
^^^^^^^to the best of my knowledge and belief, there was only one Buick 400 variant in those years, the ST400, which had a "switch pitch" converter......the other automatic was the ST300, a two speed automatic, also equipped with a switch pitch converter. The "ST" designation signified the switch pitch feature. Ray
Ray this Riveria is numbers matching so I would like to keep the engine but it needs a rebuild too. I am following up with Swifty in Melbourne who replied to me and he has an ST400 that may work.
Swifty is correct. The ST400 is just Buick's nomenclature for the std turbo 400 trans with the nailhead bellhousing pattern, which uses a std torque converter.. The SP400 is the switch pitch version, and uses the special converter and some internal parts to enable the two stall speeds. FWIW, the 64 ST400 uses a 1-year only valve body, but is is not bad, just harder to find parts for the specific valve body. 65-66 ST400 are common with newer GM T400. SP trans were used 65-67( I think), and by other GM brands as well. Just the transmission case is unique to nailhead, the internals are common with other GMs. One trick used by the performance switch pitch guys is to use the smaller SP300 converter to gain a bit more stall speed vs the larger SP400 converter. Back to OP's question. The easiest is the ST400 or SP400 swap with the nailhead pattern. You can get the crank adapter for the nose of the torque converter. Or you can get the Bendtsen's adapter to use a Chevy pattern T350/T400/700R4 type trans. Going this route you can source a trans locally much easier, and potentially pick up OD if using a 700R4 trans.
If you're interested in keeping it easy and swapping in another '63 dyna flow, I have a '63 that is in good condition. It came as a package deal of a bunch of nailhead parts. It has been sitting in a garage since the '90's when the engine & trans were pulled from a wrecked car. It still has red ATF in it that smells normal and not burnt and still has its "protective grease coating"! PM me if you're interested, Thanks Sent from my XT1585 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
If the ST400 bolts up to the 1963 Buick 401 is there a change in the gearbox mount position and does the tail shaft have to be modified. From memory the Riviera tail shaft is two piece with a center bearing so only the front piece would need to be modified I would think.
So after some more research including one here on the HAMB from PRDDetroit I think this 3 speed ****** thing is too hard. The changeover involves a lot of work with trans mounts, driveshafts, linkages,selector in console etc. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/project-63-riviera-has-started.812902/ Looks like I will think more about doing the Dynaflow. I found a kit on Ebay that is reasonably priced. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1961-196...tic-Transmission-Rebuilding-Kit-/280080396535 Will get a local transmission place to look at a rebuild.
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