info on the caddy thing for the longhorn...

[Longhorn Man]

Well, I spoke to the seller of the motor, and I am thinking he is wrong on what it is. *crossing fingers*
He said it is out of a 77 or 78 Eldorado...I'm pretty sure that means 500. (WOOO HOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!)
I been looking at a couple other options here too;
Being a one ton with no gear options, I think (have not verified it yet) it'll be having the 4.56 gears. Caddys don't like to spin, they like to grunt, so this would make a very unhappy torque motor.
The 200-4R overdrive was vere popular in the A and G chassis cars, and the OD monti carlos all had dual patter over drive trannys in the '80's. (fits both chevy, and all the other GM engines)
So I started wondering about the torque converters...they are drilled for the larger pattern in the fly wheel. (TH400 holes) Which, coincidently, was mounted behind the caddy motors.
I need to look at the fly wheel on the motor I will be getting (dang near a done deal), if it had the raised mounting points (like a chevy flex plate) then all I'll need to do is find a 200-4R out of an olds...they used the same set up, while most (if not all) the others had flat flexplates.
A cool thing about this is, most junk yard owners don't realize the difarance between the 200, and the 200-4R...no one buys either one very often.
There are 2 draw backs I can see as of now...
1. This tranny still runs the stupid pickey T.V. cable...I'll have to probably pay some one to set it 100% correct. Forget the Chiltons way...I want oil pressure readings. (the shop i work at just lost our tranny guy, we refer ppl to another shop for that now....huge bummer)
2. Converter lock up. I'll talk to whomever sets my TV cable, but I know B&M has a kit to controll the lock up...a little under dash 'black voodoo box'.
3. I don't know about shifter notches...as in, the extra position, will I lose 1st gear manual over ride? (as in low 1)
A couple good points on this tranny....
1. My truck has a TH350...the 200-4R is the same overall length, and uses the same yolk.
2. the mounting pad is at the TH400's location...just move the X-member since these were available with the TH400.
3. Mechanical speedo hook up. (you guys with the 700 R4 know what a headache an electric speedo hook up can be)
4. Supposedly, the 200-4R is a little stronger than the run of the mill 700 R4...but I have no proof.
Any one have anything to add...any thing good, or bad...looking for posible problems so i can figure it out now.
How about opinions...I know y'all have them...share them with me.

[Super Chevy]

not sure if itll be a 500,i think the 500 turned to a 472 in 77 or something, 425's are common in the late 70's too,im hoping for you itll be a 500 ,not sure on the trans,but my thery is if you have no traction you cant break anything,its whrn you start putting bigger tires on ect. that you have to worrie...

S-C

[Pumkin Truck]

I dont know about the 425 but what i have learned from that maximum torque specialtie's bulletin board is that the 500cid is a torque monster and will rip anything other than the t400. Try dropping a line there sometime, they have their own guro's that are very helpful.
pumpkin truck.

[Longhorn Man]

cumon guys...no one else?

[brennecke]

472 and 500 are same bore different stroke, so a 472 wouldn't be bad. Look at the intake on the motor. If it is a single plane intake, you're looking at a 425. If you aren't going to build that motor up, I think you could get away with the overdrive tranny, just be super careful in first gear. The guys at MTS told me with a 3.73 rear I'd be on the bleeding edge of drivability (rapped out at highway speed and not much chance of hooking up on street tires). They recommended mid 3's or lower.
I'll find out how to identify the 472 and let you know.

[Longhorn Man]

I have the measurements and numbers to tell what it is...once I see it.
The casting # is the same on the 472/500...like you said, same block. You have to measure the stroke...bout the only sure fire way to tell what your dealing with.
I thought the 368 or what ever it was was the only one to come with the alluminum single plane manifld...

[busterwivell]

I don't know if the lockup set up is the same for 200s and 700s, but my tranny guy set my 700 up with a lockup switch for a deisel and it is automatic, I don't do a thing. No switch under dash or anything. If you want, I can call him and ask him monday. For what it's worth, I thought I was told 2004R trans are ok to 300hp. I know that many 2004Rs had the multi pattern, but no 700R4s did. You might call Transdapt to see if they make and adapter for that. A friend of mine is doing a 700R4 witha 455 Olds motor, and Mondello (I think) hooked him up with an adapter.

[Longhorn Man]

I kinda like the idea of a toggle or something...but I'm lazy and forgetfull.
If you could find out bout the switch deal, that would be great.
These engines are pathetic in horse power...but they make gobs of torque.

[busterwivell]

I got hold of John, owner of the Transmission outlet. He says the internal switch can be done on either the 2004R or the 700R4. He tolld me to pass on a word of warning........if you put in the 2004R behind the torque of the 500, don't push it too hard or you will be replacing it. He recommends the 7004R with an adapter plate. If you need more info, like part #s, let me know and I'll get them Monday.

[brennecke]

I looked it up. They quit making the 500 in 76. The 425 has a single plane cast iron intake. Four holes at the carb mount, but single plane inside.
MTS makes a trans adapter for Th400 (or any other chevy tanny) which is what they reccomend with these engines. That's what they came with, except the Eldos were front wheel drive.

BTW I got My Eldo this morning! WOOHOO!
235HP and 385FT/LBS of torque just the way she is, and with a little tweaking (OK, a lot of tweaking) 500 ponies are waiting for me.