What Did You do Today - Car Related?

[chopper526]

I am about to pull the 6 cyl. out of my son's '76 Camaro. A friend of his is selling him a running 350 and trans that he just pulled out of an El Camino, for $800. he is also throwing in a posi rear (not sure of the gears. I'll take some pictures.........better get cracking!

[chopper526]

Well, so anxious to get the engine out I didn't take pictures of the pull, but here it is, out with the old. Only problem I had, since I pulled the engine and trans together, was clearing the balance pulley from the radiator support. I had to raise the front of the car to get the hoist under the car far enough without hitting the control arms and raise the engine really high to clear the pulley and then tailshaft....if that makes sense.

[sixball]

Quick work! Do you have a plan for the six? If it is a runner or an easy rebuild I
m sure someone would want it. I would if I was close. Do you know if it is a 230 or 250? It has the HEI distributer good for more rpm that it engine would ever do. It looks like it has the integral head where the intake is part of the head and not a separate manifold. That is not good but the other heads fit.

[EDNY]

Those 350 trannies are sought after.

[chopper526]

It's a 250. It is the integral head/manifold. I wish you were close Sixball I would give it to you. I did a major tune up and tried two different carburetors and the car couldn't get out of its own way, that's the main reason for the engine swap. I did a compression test a while ago. I don't remember what it was , but one cylinder was about 20 lbs less than the others.

[EDNY]

The THM350 transmissions are primo with old school and street rodders.

[sixball]

Chopper my wife is glad you are not closer because I'd take it and set it by the others for my sons to deal with some day.  But I appreciate the thought.

[chopper526]

Haha, you got it, Sixball.
I'm looking for a little advice. It looks like the engine my son got is a 350 probably out of a 1980 C-10. The transmission is a TH200-4r. I don't know anything about them. I read that they are strong transmissions, but can't just be dropped in this Camaro, there are throttle valve cable and wiring issues. I'm looking for ease of installation and stock function. I am inclined to use the TH350 off of the L-6. What do you guys think?

[sammons]

Dang Chopper, looks like that was a pretty well equipped Camaro with PS, PB and A/c.  If it were me  i would use the TH350. A lot easier and those are good trannys unless you overheat them.

Friend of mine bought a 70 Nova on the cheap, 250/ powerglide. Been sitting a long time, but fired right up with fresh fuel. He sold it to a guy dropping in a 350/350. He bought the 250/glide back cheap. Started building a Jeep ratrod for his son. Called me about the 250, i told him it would work well with the glide also. He got it installed...all good.

[EDNY]

The 200R4 is also a primo transmission because it has overdrive (fuel $$) and is the same length as the THM350 so you can use your drive shaft.  You just need to wire it for the torque converter lockup...they have wiring kits or search online for a do it yourself.

The 200R4 is a sought after tranny because of it's compact size as compared to the 700R4, plus it can be beefed up. I'd lean to the 200R4.

[FATnLOW]

I'm lazy....what does the wiring kit do? Lock up manually or vacuum??  Not finding a good link for this

[chopper526]

It looks like it locks up electrically. I called a buddy of mine who owns a trans shop, he recommended the 350 because of its ease and dependability, no nonsense set up. Also, he said the trans mount is not close to the same location and will be a pita to find something that fits. Anyway, I decided to use the 350 and swapped them today. I also had to swap the flexplate because the SAE bolt holes for the 350 are just a hair smaller than the bolt holes for the metric 200-4r.

[EDNY]

Before you move that 200R4 check out what they are selling for.

For example:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184918596658?hash=item2b0e01dc32:g:HC8AAOSw8zBg36xb

[Rattiac]

If you dont want the the 200r4,  I'll trade ya my th350, it's the B.O.P. bolt pattern.  It's been rebuilt with a shift kit.
I like the  200 cause it has a deeper 1st gear ratio than the 350 and a taller Overdrive than the 700.
This is why cops don't like chasing old chevy Caprice's . It leaves them in the dust.
I could be wrong but I dont believe you have to have the lockout option.
They say OD tranny's adds 10 grand to the resale price of hotrods.
I want it cause 3.73's at 65mph is 3,000rpm's on my car.

[Rattiac]

Here's a link I just read about having the converter unlocked. Having it locked is like adding a 5th gear.
https://www.turbobuick.com/threads/th200-4r-ok-to-run-in-od-with-converter-unlocked.441221/