Malibu transmission question

[Ratchet]

My 81 Malibu has a 267 sbc. What automatic transmission does it have? Also, will the existing transmission be strong enough for the stock 350 Vortec that’s replacing the 267?

 

[pagrunt]

First it'll be a lock up type, so it can be TH350C, TH250C (listed for coupe/sedan), or TH200C (listed for wagon). The TH350C is listed as first choice, the TH250C & TH200C listed as assembly line options per the MVMA form for '81 (I'd say odds are it won't be a TH350C.) How long it'll last will depend on how it was treated/taken car of over the last 38 years. FYI it list the rear being a 2.29 for coupes/sedans & 2.56 for wagons (& El Camino) with the 267.

 

[TURNA]

Crawl under it and match it up

 

[Ribbedroof]

My 81 267 powered wagon (if you can say "power" in the same sentence as 267) was factory equipped with a TH350C.

Have not run across 267s with TH200Cs, but it is possible based on the MVMA specs as pointed out above. Something I never understood was every 267 car I have personally seen has had a TH350 or 350C, but my 83 wagons with 305s all had TH250Cs in them. And my 79 coupe with a 305 had the TH200, and lastly, 80 coupe with 229 was sporting a rebuilt TH200c...it lasted 42000 miles behind a carbed 1988 truck 350.

 

[ssn696]

A TH350 will have no lockup harness plug on the driver's side, behind the shift linkage. A -C of any variety will have the plug, white, four elements. If you are lucky and it's a 'non-C' those are inexpensive to rebuild and will be good up to about 400 HP. Don't spend a dime rebuilding. Spend money on a 700R4 to get the lower first gear plus overdrive. You'll have to rig up a mechanical lockup. Check my profile page for a write-up. I expect arguments from the usual characters about the 700R4.

 

[Ratchet]

Crawl under it and match it up

Thank you for the trans identification chart. The trans in my Malibu is definitely a TH350.
Now will this trans hold up to my 350 Vortec?

 

[TURNA]

Yes it should depending on the HP output and how many neutral drops you plan on doing.

If there is an electric plug on the drivers side you have a lock up TH350, no plug non lockup good old regular TH350

 

[Ratchet]

Thanks, I’ll look for the driver side electrical plug to see if it’s a lock-up.

 

[Ratchet]

Thanks, I’ll look for the driver side electrical plug to see if it’s a lock-up.
[/QUOTE
The TH350 does have an electrical plug on the drivers side.

 

[Ratchet]

The TH 350 does have an electrical plug on the drivers side.