Olds 394,trans problem

I have a 1960 Olds 98 four door rotting away in my back yard. I believe it has a four-speed hydramatic. I had the trans supposedly "rebuilt" by a local trans shop(the only one that would work on it) and it lasted about 3 months until it started doing what it did before, Wont shift out of low. Its been about five years now and the 394 needs rebuilt anyway, so heres the question I want to get it back on the road, should I put in a different eng/trans, or is there another trans that will bolt up, or adapters or somebody good that works on these eng/trans.

 

as much as I love the early Olds motors, especially the 394
and kits are available to swap in modern sticks and autos

I would consider a complete motor and transmission swap.

you could pick up a good used engine and trans for less than it would cost to rebuild the motor alone

 

Thanks, what would you recommend, 350....... there was a guy around here that put in a 455, but on a family mans budget, so i figure a nice solid engine thats reasonable to get her back on the road.

 

go with the rebuilt 394 and then get an adapter from these guys http://www.transmissionadapters.com/ and you can hook up to whatever, i just got an adapter for my 394 to a th400

or you can send an empty case to a place in Sacremento, CA
http://www.forwhatyouneed.com/tansonp1.html

hope this helps-Seann MF G.

 

Thanks for the links, I would like to keep the 394.

 

I'm kinda with 60's Style on this...

Depends on what the budget is like. Unless you have enough to rebuild the originals, go with what you can find that runs real good. Can always keep the stuff around and rebuild it later, if ya keep that in mind when ya switch stuff around for the swap.

Olson

 

Thanks thats a good idea, what would you expect to pay for a solid used eng/trans vs. the price of rebuilding a 394 the conversion kits are $900 and then adding a trans?

 

i got a quote on rebuilding the old slimjim thats was on mine and to fix it, it wouldve cost me $2500 to do that, and another $2500 to fix it if it broke again, plus theres only like one place to get parts from in the country and they charge a ****load..so i just went and got the adapter