best trans for 60 cad

ok.. hydro has to go, pulled pan, lottsa metal and crud. So... rather than pay big bux to rebuild it, or wasting the next year doin it myself, what's the best way to go? I'd consider any auto w/ overdrive, and any gear slammer w/ more than 4 gears. ie: 5spd, 6spd. So.. any ideas? 390 cad stays, and I know somebody makes adapters for chevy and ford auto's and manuals.

 

Speedway has your adapter

 

Bentsen's makes a complete changeover, including bellhousing, flexplate/flywheel adapter, and a mini-starter, that will allow the use of any common Chevy automatic or standard-shift transmission.

 

ok.. so once again.. here's the list of places that have an adapter. I know about the stinkin adapters. That's not my problem. I wanna know about the transmission. What kinda transmission can I use to handle a 350-400hp engine on a car that weighs 3 tons. I wanna 4 speed auto w/ overdrive, or a 5 or 6 speed manual. help appreciated

 

What's wrong with a TH400? Besides it being a 3 speed. It was designed to handle a nailhead's torque, which is more than that Caddy puts out for that year.

Only 4 speed that I know that could deal with it is an 4L80E(think that's right) from something modern. Sticker shock city.

You're still going to need an adapter.

 

Go with the turbo 400.

Hell, thats what is behind the 500 CU caddy motors.

 

I put a motor (472) and trans in from a 68 caddie into my 60. The TH400 works good, but I'd like to use an R4 for the overdrive...when I have more $$...

 

Yeah......... OD is the bomb. Many rodders running big caddy motors have told me the R4's can't take the torque. I have seen adds in Street Rodder for built R4's. Maybe, that's the answer. I am pretty sure Troy of Rad Rods by Troy put a built 500 Caddy in that 62 Drop Top backing the 500 is a R4.

When you put the TH400 in your 60, did you use the colum shifter?

If you did, who did you work out the linkage?

 

ok.. what is this R4 you speak of. ??? You mean 700 R4?

 

Yep!

Not sure if there is a trans adapter out there for the R4's to a 390.

 

There is a 1960 caddy four door a few doors down from me that I can buy for around $1500. it's got nearly perfect interior, a little bit of rust in several areas and doesn't run but I think it will. All the glass is good and it has a clear title. Is that just an average deal?

 

thats a pretty good deal.