Transmission Questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Old Zona 62 · 03-26-2009, 12:23 AM

Hi everyone! Kind of new to the forum. Just recently picked up a '62 c10 long bed. After rebuilding carb and other minor fixes i've got it running pretty good

. I have a 283 with 4spd, really looking to convert to an auto tranny. I have searched a bit but can't find straight forward answer, is a th350 the way to go and if so what modifications will be required? Any help GREATLY appreciated thanks!
-Shawn

protrash64 · 03-26-2009, 12:41 AM

There are a lot of opinions on what to use, but it comes down to how you want to use the truck. The overdrives are fairly popular now....but a little bit more expensive. Ive blasted down the Superstition and I-10 wishing I had it, but I dont drive the truck that much, So???

You have a 'high hump' trans tunnel, so thats no problem. You will have to add a cooler. You will have to decide on a style of shifter. You will have to remove the crossmember thats basically under your feet, I think. You will have to get a new driveshaft. You will also have to hook up some type of linkage for kick down or line pressure depending on the trans. Its a bunch of small projects surrounding the big swap.

Old Zona 62 · 03-26-2009, 06:17 PM

Thanks Protrash. I'm really just looking for the easiest most economical way to go automatic, it is not a daily but it will be driven on the highway so being able to do higher speeds at lower RPM's is always a plus.

MacAttack · 03-26-2009, 06:50 PM

Just built my truck with the same set-up, so I'll let you know how it works out. Going with different gears for the rear end though - so I won't be wringing the 283 out on the freeway.

Mac.

Fred T · 03-26-2009, 07:33 PM

The th350 will work fine. Another option is the 700r4, basically a 350 with overdrive. Properly built the 700r4 will make a good match for the 283. And you get 70% overdrive. www.bowtieoverdrives.com for info.

**Captainfab** · 03-26-2009, 11:59 PM

Not having done an auto conversion on a '60-'62, I am questioning just how much room there is for an auto trans with the X-member frame. Is there enough room for a 700R4?

mano · 03-27-2009, 02:18 PM

Yeah, a 700R4 will fit no problem. I had on in my 62 shortbed i just sold. I just got a 63 and was planning on putting one in, it has a 4 spd now. What the deal with small hump or large hump floor.

notsolo · 03-27-2009, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Zona 62

Thanks Protrash. I'm really just looking for the easiest most economical way to go automatic, it is not a daily but it will be driven on the highway so being able to do higher speeds at lower RPM's is always a plus.

Another 2 cents thrown in. My 62 panel has a 3 speed manual trans out of a 69 nova with floor shift. 283 moves it along nicely. Hwy speed no problem.

jgh64pkup · 03-27-2009, 09:45 PM

so if you have a small hump does that mean it came with a powerglide

joe231 · 03-27-2009, 10:35 PM

or a 3 speed
the high hump was for the sm420 (granny 4 speed) trans

Daniel 61 Apache · 03-28-2009, 09:08 PM

I had a TH350 in my 61 X-framed truck and am swapping it for a 700r4. The 3 speed just wasn't enough for me on the highway. I want to do 70 and still hear myself think.

Here's a list of the round about costs.....

Tranny from local junkyard $200
New seals and swap to mechanical speedo $90
Kickdown cable bracket for carb $50
Hurst Unimatic cable operated shifter $120
Lockup converter kit $100
Tranny crossmember $50 (FYI - you have to make your own, no one makes one for you)
Driveshaft shortened $0 (I got a buddy to do it. Or you can go to any junkyard and get one that measure 56.25")

I think that's it. And yes, it's totally worth it. The swap will pay for itself in gas mileage in no time. Good luck!

Old Zona 62 · 03-29-2009, 03:21 AM

Thanks for the replies everyone. I have a much better idea now of how to go about it. Probably be a while before I get to it whenever funds allow. I have decided power steering is next on the agenda. Sorry to switch topics, but i am wondering where exactly the pump goes on the '62 283? If anyone has any pics that would be awesome.
-Shawn

protrash64 · 03-29-2009, 01:41 PM

Those older engines dont have the accessory bolt holes in the heads..Im not familiar with the old brackets. Maybe aftermarket solution?

joe231 · 03-29-2009, 02:12 PM

there were factory brackets for these trucks, the pump tucks low and tight to the block on the drivers side, if you still have the short water pump.
LILRED66 (Tony) had several sets when i visited him awhile back

i have some pics of mine somewhere.......when i find them, i will post them

03-26-2009, 12:23 AM	#1
Old Zona 62 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 3	Transmission Questions Hi everyone! Kind of new to the forum. Just recently picked up a '62 c10 long bed. After rebuilding carb and other minor fixes i've got it running pretty good . I have a 283 with 4spd, really looking to convert to an auto tranny. I have searched a bit but can't find straight forward answer, is a th350 the way to go and if so what modifications will be required? Any help GREATLY appreciated thanks! -Shawn

03-26-2009, 12:41 AM	#2
protrash64 Resistance is Futile Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mesa,Arizona Posts: 3,520	Re: Transmission Questions There are a lot of opinions on what to use, but it comes down to how you want to use the truck. The overdrives are fairly popular now....but a little bit more expensive. Ive blasted down the Superstition and I-10 wishing I had it, but I dont drive the truck that much, So??? You have a 'high hump' trans tunnel, so thats no problem. You will have to add a cooler. You will have to decide on a style of shifter. You will have to remove the crossmember thats basically under your feet, I think. You will have to get a new driveshaft. You will also have to hook up some type of linkage for kick down or line pressure depending on the trans. Its a bunch of small projects surrounding the big swap. __________________ 64 CHEVY PICK-UP > http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...otrash+re-hash 64 CARRYALL >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1964+suburban 66 LB >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=427852 STRENGTH/DETERMINATION/MERCILESS/FOREVER .......posted via stationary device

03-26-2009, 06:17 PM	#3
Old Zona 62 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 3	Re: Transmission Questions Thanks Protrash. I'm really just looking for the easiest most economical way to go automatic, it is not a daily but it will be driven on the highway so being able to do higher speeds at lower RPM's is always a plus.

03-26-2009, 06:50 PM	#4
MacAttack 283 Drama Queen Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Surf City, CA Posts: 2,435	Re: Transmission Questions Just built my truck with the same set-up, so I'll let you know how it works out. Going with different gears for the rear end though - so I won't be wringing the 283 out on the freeway. Mac. __________________ For about 12 years of my adult life I had a severe speech impediment. My ex-wife never let me get a word in edgewise.

03-26-2009, 07:33 PM	#5
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Re: Transmission Questions The th350 will work fine. Another option is the 700r4, basically a 350 with overdrive. Properly built the 700r4 will make a good match for the 283. And you get 70% overdrive. www.bowtieoverdrives.com for info. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

03-26-2009, 11:59 PM	#6
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: Transmission Questions Not having done an auto conversion on a '60-'62, I am questioning just how much room there is for an auto trans with the X-member frame. Is there enough room for a 700R4? __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

03-27-2009, 02:18 PM	#7
mano Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 198	Re: Transmission Questions Yeah, a 700R4 will fit no problem. I had on in my 62 shortbed i just sold. I just got a 63 and was planning on putting one in, it has a 4 spd now. What the deal with small hump or large hump floor.

03-27-2009, 09:45 PM	#9
jgh64pkup Sunburst C10!!! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 2,560	Re: Transmission Questions so if you have a small hump does that mean it came with a powerglide __________________ Gage 1967 C10 Shortbed Stepside

03-27-2009, 10:35 PM	#10
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Transmission Questions or a 3 speed the high hump was for the sm420 (granny 4 speed) trans __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

03-28-2009, 09:08 PM	#11
Daniel 61 Apache Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 168	Re: Transmission Questions I had a TH350 in my 61 X-framed truck and am swapping it for a 700r4. The 3 speed just wasn't enough for me on the highway. I want to do 70 and still hear myself think. Here's a list of the round about costs..... Tranny from local junkyard $200 New seals and swap to mechanical speedo $90 Kickdown cable bracket for carb $50 Hurst Unimatic cable operated shifter $120 Lockup converter kit $100 Tranny crossmember $50 (FYI - you have to make your own, no one makes one for you) Driveshaft shortened $0 (I got a buddy to do it. Or you can go to any junkyard and get one that measure 56.25") I think that's it. And yes, it's totally worth it. The swap will pay for itself in gas mileage in no time. Good luck! __________________ Project 61 build thread Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference....The Marines don't have that problem. Sic vis pacem, para bellum. -- "If you want peace, prepare for war."

03-29-2009, 03:21 AM	#12
Old Zona 62 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 3	Re: Transmission Questions Thanks for the replies everyone. I have a much better idea now of how to go about it. Probably be a while before I get to it whenever funds allow. I have decided power steering is next on the agenda. Sorry to switch topics, but i am wondering where exactly the pump goes on the '62 283? If anyone has any pics that would be awesome. -Shawn

03-29-2009, 01:41 PM	#13
protrash64 Resistance is Futile Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mesa,Arizona Posts: 3,520	Re: Transmission Questions Those older engines dont have the accessory bolt holes in the heads..Im not familiar with the old brackets. Maybe aftermarket solution? __________________ 64 CHEVY PICK-UP > http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...otrash+re-hash 64 CARRYALL >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1964+suburban 66 LB >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=427852 STRENGTH/DETERMINATION/MERCILESS/FOREVER .......posted via stationary device

03-29-2009, 02:12 PM	#14
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Transmission Questions there were factory brackets for these trucks, the pump tucks low and tight to the block on the drivers side, if you still have the short water pump. LILRED66 (Tony) had several sets when i visited him awhile back i have some pics of mine somewhere.......when i find them, i will post them __________________ *CHEVY ONLY* Last edited by joe231; 03-29-2009 at 02:14 PM.



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