Sometime ago, I read a Hot Rod Magazine with a 55 or 56 Oldsmobile that this guy converted into a gasser. Inside the engine bay, he had a 394 Skyrocket with a Turbo400 that had the bellhousing from the hydromatic from the 394 mated to the 400. My question is have any of you done a conversion like this? What must an individual do in order to take one bellhousing from a dynaflow that came from a 322 Nailhead and mate it to something like a 700R4?
In order to mate the dynaflo bellhousing to a 700r4 (or any other trans): you will need to cut the bellhousing off the 700r4 at the pump face (like you would do if using a race style belhousing from JW etc..) Then you would need to take the Buick bellhousing off the dynaflo, machine the center opening to fit over the 700 front pump and then drill/tap holes to mate the two together. This could be done, but then you still need to get a flywheel that would fit the 322 and then the 700r4. next you will need to make an adapter/spacer to support the front of the torque convertor, then finally, most likely you will need to space the starter forward (assuming it is close the the later 364-401 dynaflo setups) However, I would recommend looking into the adapters such as 'Snowbound' posted the link to. With the Buick, you will also need to convert the drive line to an open system(regular driveshaft) as opposed to the stock torque tube setup. There have been a few posts on how to do this, but I can give more detailed info if needed. All in all, this is a fairly big task in a Buick. If you think you might do it, you might want to consider also swapping a 364-401-425 in place of the 322. If you do this, the 64-66 Buick sp/th400 is either a direct bolt in, or at worst, just needs the torque convertor support, starter shim and flexplate machined.
It would be worth looking to see if the Dynaflow pattern is the same as the Dual-Range hydramatic pattern. The dual-range uses a short iron bell to attach to the case. I know the 58-66 Nailhead Dynaflow uses a similar shape/pattern to bolt up.
Call Carmen Faso 716-693-4090 he has a machined adapter for the crank that allows you to get rid of the dynaflow and go to a modern 400, might work for a 700 too.
None of the Dual range or other hydros will bolt up to the Buick engine. B&M made an adapter years ago to mate them up. The adapters are VERY tough to find these days and command very high prices. I believe that the crank adapters Carmen makes (as wel as others) will fit the snout of the 700r4, 200r4,th350, th400, powerglide etc... They should all have the same size snout od. But I am not 100% sure that the cranks for the 322" is the same ID as the later 364-401 dynaflo trans -although I believe they are. I have both and could measure if anyone needs me to. I think for the money, the adapter from transmissionadapters.com is the way to go. You then have your choice of which trans to use, the trans are all reasonably cheap to rebuild (as opposed to dynaflos, Hydros, etc...) Plus it allows use of overdrives etc... A 322" with a 700r4 or even a 200r4 would make for a nice highway driver.
I know I will have to go this route. Do you know anyone who has actually used these kinds of adapters? I would like to hear from them to see if they were satisfied with it or not.
I don't know anyone personally that has used them, but I do know someone who had seen them and talked to the owner of the adapter company (Bendstet) and I understand that they are extremely well made and engineered, and that the company is a top notch setup. I am sure there are other places making adapters as well, but it might be tough to find a flexplate to use.
I think every thing changed between 56 and 57, crank end and bell bolt pattern. They should all have the same size snout od. But I am not 100% sure that the cranks for the 322" is the same ID as the later 364-401 dynaflo trans -although I believe they are. I have both and could measure if anyone needs me to.
I had this question about a year ago. The link the guy gave you in the first reply is what you need. Trust me. I have a 55 Buick with a 700r4. I would have been able to do it, or probably even wanted to do it without this kit. Just bolts straight into place , no cutting, no measuring. Just turning your wrench. Don't get me wrong they are a little pricey. But when you get ready to install your transmission you will know where every bit of that money went to, because it is so simple.
whoops...I was re-reading my post. I meant I WOULDN'T have been able to do it without this kit. Sorry, next time I will check what I typed before posting.
That's all I needed to know. What company did you end up going with? This is the route I will go sometime down the Rock Island Line.
That looks like a well done adapter with all the pieces needed. Their home page lists items that someone on here is alway hunting. The prices aren't cheap but the pieces look to be well made.
Nailhead Transmission Adapters Go here. You have to figure out what year your nailhead is. and by the corresponding kit. It comes with detailed instructions to install your kit. I was just telling someone else about this kit. The first time I went to install it, I took it back out. I thought I had forgot something but it is just simple.
$675 is cheap when you realize that you can buld a th350 for $200 if you have a core. This gets you a modern trans that takes a beating for less than $1000-far less than having the dynaflo rebuilt. If you go with a 700r4 or200r4, the rebuilds cost a little more, but still should be in the same range as the dynaflo, but you will have a good modern overdrive. Hard to beat for the money.
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