69/72 Restoration/Rebuild (we ain't scared)

[mcbassin]

Great looking shop! You can never have too much room.

[oldman3]

Looks real good...Jim

[weaintscared]

Change of plans!!! O well the T56 6 speed is gone,sold it so now it's time to fine an auto,, what's the best to run? 4L60E. Or the 4L80E ??
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[Xeen]

Since you are mating it to a Gen 1 style Big block I would recommend a 700R4, you are going to have to either find a corvette version or have it built with corvette specifications to handle the power.
I'm guessing since you have a floor shift steering column you are going to run a floor shift auto now?

[weaintscared]

Thanks,which shifter is best for these trucks ?
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[68 TT]

Originally Posted by Xeen

Since you are mating it to a Gen 1 style Big block I would recommend a 700R4, you are going to have to either find a corvette version or have it built with corvette specifications to handle the power.

Not a wise choice. I have broken far too many and spent way too much money on them trying to keep them together with a powerful engine in a moderately heavy vehicle. There are two failure points in the 700R4/4L60/4L60E that occur between 320 and 360 rwhp that even the Corvette version does not address. The sun shell and the forward sprag are weak links and are ticking time bombs anywhere in that power range. The typical trans shop rebuild is double or more to do a 4L60 vs a T-350 or T-400 too. That adds up fast when something new fails.

A T-400 is the least expensive option that will consistently live behind a big block. A performance rebuild kit and a 34-element sprag are all that is needed. No hard parts or special assembly is required. If you don't have too much cam a GM big block motor home spec torque converter is an inexpensive option that is strong enough to get by with a pretty strong big block in a truck. That plus a TransGo shift kit will make a good rebuilt T-400 live a long happy life behind a strong street driven big block.

A T-350 can be made to live with a big block as well but the cost isn't much less than a T-400. The big problem is the smaller output yoke of the T-350 isn't up to the task. The cost of an upgraded part negates any savings you had in choosing the T-350 over a T-400.

If you want overdrive then you have two common options. A Gear Vendor type add-on overdrive unit for the T-400 or a 4L80E trans swap. A Gear Vendor for the T-400 is the least expensive option, is well proven and has been around a long time. They are pretty easy to find used for around $1000 complete. I bought one new in 1987 for my Chevelle and loved it.

The trans controller alone needed to run the 4L80E will cost you more than a used Gear Vendor unit. The big factor with the 4L80E is that it needs a better torque converter. The stock one is horribly inefficient. A decent aftermarket one is right at $1000. Add in a quality rebuild to the 4L80E and you are close to double the cost of a rebuilt T-400 with a Gear Vendor overdrive. A 4L80E will also need an electric speedo or a cable-x device adding even more cost to the swap.

You can also run the T-400 now and look for/save up for a Gear Vendor overdrive unit while you are enjoying your truck. You would just need to have your driveshaft shortened when you install it.

[weaintscared]

I sold the T56, now I'm going with an auto,, I have an electric speedometer so I was told by a local guy he could build me a 4l60e that would work for me for $1400.00 with a 2500 stall,, he said it would hold 6-700 hp with everything he puts inside it, he was naming out a lot of upgrades and something about changing out the Solenoids too, Is this a good price?
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[Comerz]

man keep us updated on that truck bad ass!

[weaintscared]

Will do,,,I'm getting ready to start back to work on it... I had bought a house about 4 months back and redone it from one in to the other and it caught fire and burned the back part out of it so I've been busy trying to get it rebuild,,, man I wish the Insurance would have been in effect I would be letting someone else do all this nasty work of rebuilding it,,,,but it almost done a few more days
1 more inspection and 1 more meeting with the insurance co. Hope it never happens again!!! It hurts when you don't have insurance !!!
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[Xeen]

Originally Posted by weaintscared

I sold the T56, now I'm going with an auto,, I have an electric speedometer so I was told by a local guy he could build me a 4l60e that would work for me for $1400.00 with a 2500 stall,, he said it would hold 6-700 hp with everything he puts inside it, he was naming out a lot of upgrades and something about changing out the Solenoids too, Is this a good price?
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It's a competitive price, make him guarantee it though.

[Comerz]

ouch.... bet that hurt the pocketbook lol

[weaintscared]

Hurt really bad,,, but it fixed and now it time to get back to my trucks

[nlped]

I read the whole thread. You're right, you have yourself a moneypit too.

I like the firewall and the gas door set-up. I may have to steal that one.

[weaintscared]

Hope it's worth it when I get it done!!!!

[weaintscared]

Well I put my motor in my Old Rusty Pantina truck for now while I'm working on my good truck,,, running me a sleeper for a while
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[weaintscared]

Well motor runs good had th change the headers out to a set of mids I bought a set of stainless steel and they look good
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[weaintscared]

What y'all think?



http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=s...eature%3Dshare
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[MarineChevyDriver]

Originally Posted by weaintscared

What y'all think?



http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=s...eature%3Dshare
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That's yours? Nice sleeper! You going to leave it that way?
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[weaintscared]

Originally Posted by MarineChevyDriver

That's yours? Nice sleeper! You going to leave it that way?
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O yea Old Rusty is keeping the Pantina look been sitting for over 10 year before I bought it.
I might tub the wheel wells a little to set some bigger meats under it.
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[MarineChevyDriver]

Originally Posted by weaintscared

O yea Old Rusty is keeping the Pantina look been sitting for over 10 year before I bought it.
I might tub the wheel wells a little to set some bigger meats under it.
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Looking good an sounding good man! Hopefully mine will work that well!
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[weaintscared]

I'm sure your will, I need to get back to work on my Money Pit and get it ready so I can have it on the road it will be a really nice ride,,, 2 years in the making
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[Bishops Trucks]

Nice work on both the truck and the shop.

[weaintscared]

Thanks it all time and money,, that a lot of time to get a little money to put into them both..

[mcbassin]

Wow! that was a hell of a burn out.

[weaintscared]

Thanks guys I'm still working on my build a little at a time. I guess i'm going to have to build myself another motor for my truck since the 502 ended up in Old Rusty,, Man it will turn some heads I can be rolling at 25/30 mph and kick it and smoke up the road,,, Its a Beast!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...are&nomobile=1