Only needed to source one once, in the mid/late 70's, I've heard for a long time the Chevy bolt pattern Turbo 400's are getting harder to find, if you have one, most definitely use it.
Pretty much EVERYTHING from the 700R era on back is getting harder to find! I got lucky and sourced a fairly fresh TH350 (I know the history and the builder) for my GMC
If you already have it, why not run it? Pretty much bulletproof for our uses. As far as being a dinosaur; if it weren't for them, we wouldn't have any fuel for our cars nowadays!
I actually forgot that I had to buy a complete car to get one, bought an all original running and driving 65 Impala SS396 car for $150.00, sold the 396 for $100.00 and sent the rest to the s****per.
I have one in my '46 and like it. Plus there's the cool factor, when someone asks about the running gear. Oh, it has a hopped up 350, TURBO 400 and...
I have been running a Stage II, TCI TH400 BOP behind my 455 in the Olds for over 20 years. Drag racing and street use, it gets beat on and never an issue.
Old trans guy I knew sold over 100 cores for 700, 400, 350 transmissions a few months ago to a refurbisher. Getting tougher to find. I got a th475 for hauling off a motorhome.
I've had this 400 trans for about 30 years. Had it rebuilt back when I got it and it's sat ever since. I had several 32's back in the 80's and 90's with 400's and loved them. When I contacted the transmission builder I use about fresshing the 400 he is trying to discourage my using the 400 in favor of a 700R4. We have just finished my 32 highboy sedan with a 700R4 and it's my first journey into the OD trans world. I've always used 350's but I have this 400 and have had good luck with them in the past so thought I'd give it a try? Thanks for all the reply's
You have the trans and its already ready to go, I'd use it. I have had good luck with my BOP TH400 that is just as it left GM except for a shift improver kit from B&M. Mine is behind a 455 Buick, and with 3.42's and 31" tall tires highway speeds haven't been an issue.
What's the car going to weigh? Have for a gear? Rear tire height? I wouldn't build a car in today's world that's not happy running interstate speeds. Usually that requires overdrive.
Bulletproof and will love you long time ... I have one behind a blown 540 and one behind a 355, certainly won't have to worry about transmission failure, if the th350 goes out in the J it'll get a th400 as well.
It's an old design that's getting harder to find, but, since we are traditional here.... go for it! There's a reason they were used behind all GM high hp offerings as well as 4X4's and motorhomes for years..... they're damned tough and reliable as hell. OD is nice, but the TH 400 isn't as finicky (fiddley for you non-USA guys) to set up linkages and cables.
That’s why I went 400, I didn’t want to monkey around with the carb linkages on three deuces on a Rocket motor
If you want tough and an OD, use the 400 and install. GV OD. Last one I bought was 2100/2200, I’d imagine they’re 3k by now. My dad bought one for his MH around the same time, factory refurbished, had an X at the beginning or end of the SN, he paid about 1500/1600 for it through GV. They may still offer them as well.
Got one behind my 500 caddy in my T coupe. 20 thousand miles and just love it. I do wish though that it stayed in first longer. Half the time you don't even realize its shifting.
The vacuum modulator can usually be adjusted somewhat to change light throttle shift points. Adjustment screw in for later/firmer shift, out for earlier/softer. Might turn the screw in a turn and see what happens.
When I built my roadsters I used an aluminum power glide behind the 350. It would allow me to load the engine against the brakes and it would lift one front wheel while standing still. I ran the car through a flood and needed another trans. A coworker had a TH400 from a 396 68 Caprice. It cost me $75 in '77. It has been trouble free since then. I can't load it against the brakes like the PG. I think the car was faster with the PG.
The TH400 is a fantastic trans, and a good choice for around town, or shorter trips. But if you have any plans to drive it longer distances an overdrive is a much better choice to make the car more enjoyable and let the engine cruise at lower rpm's.
You own it. In 30 years you haven't found a use for it. Is there a project in your in your future that would necessitate its use?
this is not true, while there were some fit all cases with both patterns in them the dowel pins and the lowest holes are the only ones shared between chev and the BOP trans
Adapters are cheap to put a TH400 from a B-O-P on a Chevy, and they only relocate 2 bolts. The others around and just above the dowel pins are the same for both engines. https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Spee...ype}&msclkid=8d2158eb12df12cd1fb83cdf7c1b61e4
did you see the picture I posted? the 2 lower bolts and dowel pins are the only shared holes between the 2
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