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[D88man]

Hi, my name is Nolan

I have owned my '84 Oldsmobile Delta 88 for 2 years now. I bought it with 96,000 miles on it and it currently has 116,000. I use it as a daily driver but she just started having transmission troubles after I changed the fluid/filter at 115,000 miles. Its a 307/th200 with an electric switch that controls a solenoid for a TQ lockup. Car still runs great but needs a new Transmission. Any advice on what to do would be appreciated. The cheaper route would be preffered as I am currently going to a tech school and need to watch my funds.

Thank you, and have a good day.

 

[Texas82GP]

That's a nice looking car. My best friend in high school had a really low mile 85 Delta 88 Royale. This was back in the 93-01 time frame.

If it were my car, I would transplant in a 200 4R but there is a fair amount involved with that. The least expensive alternative is probably to have the trans in the car overhauled. What is the specific problem?

 

[Texas82GP]

Also, welcome to the site.

 

[D88man]

Well it wont shift into reverse. I took it to a shop and they said its going to need rebuilt before too long, the transmission itself has always felt a little soft (esp. cold). The shop said for just a rebuild it would be a base line of $1100, I looked on craigslist and there was a factory reman AC Delco 200-4r on there with a 3500 stall lockup TQ for sale. Guy said make an offer. $1100 dollars seems a little steep considering I can buy rebuilt th350s in the $500-$600 range.

What goes into putting a 200-4r in. I thought they were basically the same transmission with an overdrive gear, just a little tougher.

And thanks for the welcome.

 

[gmparts]

Hi Nolan what state do you live in? I had a 84 Delta 88 loved that car bought it used in 1987 lasted till 2004 dies due to rust. I had the trans rebuilt about a year before I scrapped it and still have it. It is a non overdrive unit with torque convertor. I would guess about 15k miles on it if that. I would take 300.00 for it plus shipping.

 

[D88man]

I live in Wichita, Kansas. Central, southern part of the state. Depending on shipping that is a deal I will definitely take into consideration.

 

[gmparts]

Hi Nolan,

What is your zip code, i will get a shipping estimate. I even have the bill from the trans shop that did the work.

 

[D88man]

67220

 

[Texas82GP]

That sounds like a great deal on that transmission gmparts has. You can ship that trans. Even if you spent $300 shipping it, it would still be a great deal. You definately dont want a 3500 stall lockup in a stock ride. That's way too loose. I'm not sure what all would change between the 200 to the 200 4R, but here's what comes to mind: shift indicator, column, lockup control (not sure, yours may lockup). I think the mount location on the 4R is further back so you might need to shorten your driveshaft. You could likely modify the crossmember to work. With your car being an 84, it should have the frame extension in place for the 200 4R. You may have to modify the hanger for your catalytic converter.

I'm a big overdrive fan but it would be easier just to put in a good THM200.

 

[D88man]

Thanks for the input, guys. A THM200 seems like the right way to go for a simple, quick, easy, reliable, and moderately cheap fix. A day or two on the weekend I could get it swapped out and back to a trusty state without many (hopefully any) small issues. (But we all know how that goes. lol) Overdrive would help with gas milage but on a boat like this you cant expect it to be too high. The extra effort, money, and time doesn't seem worth it, esp. for a daily. Plus the closer to stock, the easier it is to get/ replace needed parts on a short notice.