[MOJO Catalina]

I'm converting my '63 GP to a TH400 and need a few parts.
The trans I have is a '73 BOP and I need the flex plate, bolts, inspection cover, a dipstick and tube. They were supposed to be included but the guy I bought the trans from 'forgot' to bring that stuff the day I picked it up from the back of his truck behind the shop he works at and now 'can't find' those pieces. I've called and emailed him every few days for a few weeks but he keeps putting me off so...

Any of my Pontiac tribal brothers have a few pounds of scrap metal laying around that they can contribute to a fella who's down on his luck? I have a few sheckles to pay for the shipping...

[Keith Seymore]

MOJO - I can't help with the parts, but can (as always) make a few comments:

I ordered a Pontiac flexplate out of the Jegs or Summit catalog. I don't remember now how much it was but it seemed pretty reasonable at the time (plus it comes right to your front door - and it's new!).

Re: flexplate bolts - I don't remember what size those bolts are but they are unique (a generic chevy bolt won't work). I ended up re-using the original flywheel bolts - which are too long because the Slim Jim flywheel is so thick - but used a hardened washer under the head of the bolt to keep them from poking through the back of the crank.

Dipstick - I couldn't get my TH400 dipstick (from a '76 Riv) to fit up in there. Ended up using a Lokar flexible dipstick with a homemade support bracket. It was a bit pricey ($100 or so) but seems to work well.

Inspection cover: I've been just running around without one.

After reading my note, you are free to use my dipstick tube (no indicator stick) but, as I say, I turned it every which way but loose and couldn't get it to snake through there.

K

[MOJO Catalina]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

MOJO - I can't help with the parts, but can (as always) make a few comments:

I ordered a Pontiac flexplate out of the Jegs or Summit catalog. I don't remember now how much it was but it seemed pretty reasonable at the time (plus it comes right to your front door - and it's new!).

Re: flexplate bolts - I don't remember what size those bolts are but they are unique (a generic chevy bolt won't work). I ended up re-using the original flywheel bolts - which are too long because the Slim Jim flywheel is so thick - but used a hardened washer under the head of the bolt to keep them from poking through the back of the crank.

Dipstick - I couldn't get my TH400 dipstick (from a '76 Riv) to fit up in there. Ended up using a Lokar flexible dipstick with a homemade support bracket. It was a bit pricey ($100 or so) but seems to work well.

Inspection cover: I've been just running around without one.

After reading my note, you are free to use my dipstick tube (no indicator stick) but, as I say, I turned it every which way but loose and couldn't get it to snake through there.

K

Thanks for the comeback good buddy (shows ya how old I am...)

I'll check into that stuff. I guess I could grind 1/4 inch off the ends off my bolts.
Would that be enough?

Meanwhile, I'm still open for hand-outs if anybody has a whole heap of this stuff they just want to "git gonn" as they say here in the south.

[stevep]

If you can find a trans pan/tube/dipstick from a 64 Eldo or Deville, it will solve your problem. It has to be from and Eldo or Deville as a Series 62 doesn't have a THM 400.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by MOJO Catalina

I'll check into that stuff. I guess I could grind 1/4 inch off the ends off my bolts.
Would that be enough?

Probably - but I wanted to leave mine as they were in case [Hell freezes over and] I ever decide to put ole' Jim back in....

K

[rontiac]

I'm not positive, but isn't there a problem with the starter on the 1963 and older blocks? I am under the impression that they switched sides in 1964. Not 100% sure though....
Anybody else know for sure?

[Keith Seymore]

MOJO's got that all psyched out already, but the short answer is: on '63 blocks the starter mounts to the trans bell housing - so - if you change to a newer trans you lose the location to hang the starter.

That problem is usually solved by adding an adapter/starter mount plate, which are available commercially or a person can fabricate their own based on the blueprint in Pete McCarthy's book.

K

[chrisp]

Have a dipstick and the tube from a 1970 catalina 455 engine , 400 turbo trans , may have a converter cover .

[MOJO Catalina]

I'll take 'em if I can afford the shipping.
If you'll send me a PM we can get it all worked out.

[MOJO Catalina]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

a person can fabricate their own based on the blueprint in Pete McCarthy's book.

K

Which one of his books has that info in it?

[ITSBACK]

I may have a flexplate for you. I can check on the shelf tomorrow?
Bill

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by MOJO Catalina

Which one of his books has that info in it?

Ponatiac Racer's & High Performance Handbook, which is the one with the black & white pictures on the cover.

It's on [what would be] page 49 (...for some reason there are no page numbers in that section).

K

[Keith Seymore]

heh, heh -

I said "Ponatiac"....



(wish we had an "edit" button).

K

[MOJO Catalina]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Pontiac Racer's & High Performance Handbook, which is the one with the black & white pictures on the cover.

There. I fixed it for you.

Of course, I have the OTHER of Pete's books here.

The Torque Converter on this trans takes 3 bolts.
Is that typical?

[chrisp]

[Have a dipstick and the tube from a 1970 catalina 455 engine , 400 turbo trans , may have a converter cover .] Yea or nae ? Tube is short unlike the one in your pic. Dipstick has the large tip on the end , easy reader .

[MOJO Catalina]

Originally Posted by chrisp

[Have a dipstick and the tube from a 1970 catalina 455 engine , 400 turbo trans , may have a converter cover .] Yea or nae ? Tube is short unlike the one in your pic. Dipstick has the large tip on the end , easy reader .

Sounds like the one I need since my car has air.
Where are ya and how much$?

[chrisp]

Send me a pm with your email , i will send pics. Thanks

[gloryrestoparts]

I have a flexplate, the 6 bolts which hold it to the crank and 3 bolts which attach the torque convertor to the flexplate. they are from a 71 400. PM me if you still need them. Thx, Chris

[MOJO Catalina]

Originally Posted by chrisp

Send me a pm with your email , i will send pics. Thanks

PM sent.

[MOJO Catalina]

Originally Posted by gloryrestoparts

I have a flexplate, the 6 bolts which hold it to the crank and 3 bolts which attach the torque convertor to the flexplate. they are from a 71 400. PM me if you still need them. Thx, Chris

Thanks, Will do.