I've one '63 caddi 390 engine, the unfamous year only engine. It's for my '38 Ford 5W project http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=461454&highlight=stop&page=4 I know my caddi 390 have a different ****** pattern from '64 caddi who could fit the TH400. Mine only fit the hydramatic.. So here is the final question, could a '62 394 olds ****** fit as a bolt on in my '63 390 caddi? Luca
i would just get the hydramatic (jetaway) rebuilt. at least thats what i did, its expensive, but the adapters are about 700 bucks by themselves, plus starters and what ever ****** you like. my rebuild was about 1300.
Good to know, but the main question is.. "could a '62 394 olds ****** fit as a bolt on in my '63 390 caddi?"
ok i wont be alot of help but, i did own a 63 caddy years ago and the trans man did use another tran from ????? to rebuild it. im sure it was a olds or buick at the time.
According to my old Hollander the trans will interchange from 60 to early 64 cadillacs (pre turbo 400)with some minor differences. The only listing for transmission in the olds is the Rotohydramatic(Slim-jim)completely different trans and they were not very durable I would say your stuck with the Cadillac but the year spread should ease the search a little Hope this helps, Bud
Wow, it helps a lot. Thank you! I need other feedback about the ****** quality... It's really a poor trans??
I took apart a '64 Pontiac with the Slim-Jim trans that all 61-64 Oldsmobiles also used, a couple years ago. I didn't try to pull the trans off, but it looked to me they used the same deal as the dual-coupling Hydro - a short cast bell and the same bolt pattern on both transmissions, to bolt to the bell, which then bolts to the block. You could see both sets of bolts. I might even have a picture on the computer somewhere if I dig. The problem is the Slim-Jim is a ****ty transmission, one of the worst GM made, because it was sort of an experiment as they sorted out what they'd replace the dual-coupling Hydro with. Around here cars with those transmissions got parked for good either because the frame rotted out, or the trans blew, whichever comes first. And a lot of them, the trans went first. I talked with people way back when who'd had them for daily drivers. One guy had a '62 Bonneville parked side by side with a '61 Catalina behind the barn. The Bonne's frame went; the Catalina the trans blew. Only the Catalina had the Slim-Jim. In any case I think even if it's good you're wasting your time putting it in there, GM didn't put them in Caddys for a reason and I'd bet good money you'll be replacing it not too long after you install it. You'd be better off to find a dual-coupling Hydro from any '60 Pontiac, '60 Olds, '60 Caddy, '61-'64 Bonneville (ONLY) or '61-'64 Caddy.
I've had a few Slim-Jims in Oldsmobiles. Of course these were far from being new units. Either they were cared for and shifted well, or beat on or used up and problematic. I had one with a loud vavle body buzz to it, WTF was that about? For your efforts, you might be better off with a later TH350, TH400 or adapting a later overdrive transmission to it. Bob
Probably a wise move in the long run, spend your money ONCE! I'm sure adapting something newer will be a minor challenge. Bob
Depending on what trannies are readily available to you in Italy. I would sell the engine as well to some 63 Cad guy since some parts are 63 only rather than spending big bucks when it becomes time to a rebuilt. If you want to keep it, I could get you a 64 round top TH400 switch pitch out of a 65 Oldsmobile if it's still available. This ****** bell housing configuration was available for 64 Cads only, 64-66 Buicks bigger than 400 cu.in., Bentley and Rolls-Royce. Hope this helps, Ciao, Johann
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