I have a 1980 Cutlass. It has a th350. Want to convert to overdrive tranmission. But not sure I can tackle EVERYTHING in one weekend. So I want to do it in stages.
So I have determined that I will need the following...
1. Used transmission
2. transmission jack (buy or rent?) hmmm
3. t/v cable with the Qjet accelerator/kickdown mounting bracket
4. tube/dipstick/fluids
5. Right speedo gear for my tire/rear gear combo
6. New upper steering column from junkyard so that I can select PR(D)D21 as my current one is PRNDSL, plus Paint to match it to my interior and while I am at it install a antitheft column shield.
7. aftermarket lockout switch solenoid doohickythingababobber? Suggestions on a brand?
8. Torque converter
9. Misc nuts and bolts
10. New Iceman crossmember with extension because the 1980 Cutlass has no provisions for the TH400
11. Do I need a new flywheel?
Can anyone think of anything else? Suggestions on getting the current trans out and new one in without a car lift? I have a floor jack, some stantions, a 2 ton cherry picker and can get a transmission jack at Harbor Freight for $80.
Can I easily put a 4 speed in and run it as a 4 speed without changing the steering column? This would mean no 1st gear selection correct? Are the spaces between shift points the same on the 3speed and 4speed upper steering columns? If so I think I can get the car road ready in a weekend and then another time this summer worry about getting a new column, take my time getting it prepped, change out the internals to convert the wand from the Wiper/Cruise Control combo to the Cruise only wand, and the turn signal switch harness to the 78-80 switch and paint her up nice.
OR should I just poke a hole in my floor and install an aftermarket floor shifter ? Keep in mind I have a bench seat and no inner studs for putting in my bucket seats that have been sitting in my basement 8 years. Is there even room for a floor shifter on a bench seat pulled all the way up? (I am SHORT...5'5...kinda have to worry about that!) Im assuming that I would still have the same issue though with no 1st gear since the steering column is still attached in some way to the transmission?
So I have determined that I will need the following...
1. Used transmission
2. transmission jack (buy or rent?) hmmm
3. t/v cable with the Qjet accelerator/kickdown mounting bracket
4. tube/dipstick/fluids
5. Right speedo gear for my tire/rear gear combo
6. New upper steering column from junkyard so that I can select PR(D)D21 as my current one is PRNDSL, plus Paint to match it to my interior and while I am at it install a antitheft column shield.
7. aftermarket lockout switch solenoid doohickythingababobber? Suggestions on a brand?
8. Torque converter
9. Misc nuts and bolts
10. New Iceman crossmember with extension because the 1980 Cutlass has no provisions for the TH400
11. Do I need a new flywheel?
Can anyone think of anything else? Suggestions on getting the current trans out and new one in without a car lift? I have a floor jack, some stantions, a 2 ton cherry picker and can get a transmission jack at Harbor Freight for $80.
Can I easily put a 4 speed in and run it as a 4 speed without changing the steering column? This would mean no 1st gear selection correct? Are the spaces between shift points the same on the 3speed and 4speed upper steering columns? If so I think I can get the car road ready in a weekend and then another time this summer worry about getting a new column, take my time getting it prepped, change out the internals to convert the wand from the Wiper/Cruise Control combo to the Cruise only wand, and the turn signal switch harness to the 78-80 switch and paint her up nice.
OR should I just poke a hole in my floor and install an aftermarket floor shifter ? Keep in mind I have a bench seat and no inner studs for putting in my bucket seats that have been sitting in my basement 8 years. Is there even room for a floor shifter on a bench seat pulled all the way up? (I am SHORT...5'5...kinda have to worry about that!) Im assuming that I would still have the same issue though with no 1st gear since the steering column is still attached in some way to the transmission?