I am looking into putting in a 200 4r tranny into my '74. Right now she is a 3 speed. I do quite a bit of highway driving, going home from school every few weekends, and heard the 200 4r was the way to go. That being said, I am looking for any advice on this subject. Where can I get a good 200 4r? What about a rebuilt one? Also, if anyone lives near central or southern Missouri that could help me with this over the summer that would be fantastic! At this point everything is still in the planning stages. Thanks everyone!

 

Coast 101 I've got a 200-4R on a stand in the garage even as I type getting ready to swap in place of my 350. I've took tomorrow off (Wednesday 7th) to do some work on the tranny (B&M shift kit, new seals, filter....etc.) I'm still shopping for a converter. Some of my friends use 200s or 700s in their 'glass hotrods, and usually use a pressure switch kit that runs off 4th to lock the converter up. I'll probably try this in the car.

There's a lot of threads on this if you do a search. From what I've gathered, the crossmember can be used as long as it's without the rubber mount. The driveshaft is the proper length, and the slip yoke from a 350 is a perfect match to be used with the 200. Usually. I've also read a few guys say they have had interference problems that hindered them. Tolerance stack ups I reckon.

I guess getting the TV cable adjustment spot on is critical. I've got a new adjustable cable and an adaptor for the Holley. One of the guys I know burnt a nice stage 2 tranny up in 400 miles when he screwed the adjustment up.

I'm not sure about the cooler lines, but I figure that's a minor issue.

What I can't get an answer on is if the flex plate from the 350 can be used with the 200. I guess I'll just have to wait and find out when I drop the 350.

Good luck! Keep us posted with your project.

John

 

You may want to check mount locations. I was told by the guy that rebuilt a 200 4R for me that the 350 and 200 are the same overall length so driveshaft is the same length but mounting hole location is different front to back, just what I have been told can't say from experience yet. Bowtie Overdrive makes a mount to convert to the 200 for $195, bolts right in.

 

Yeah, from what the other posts said the holes are different if you are using the rubber mounts, but if you take the rubber mount off the crossmember and turn the crossmember around oddly enough the holes line right up.

I can't say for sure untill I try, but it sounds interesting!

John

 

If you have a thm350 it will bolt to the crossmember. You delete the triangular support that the 350 used. The bolts will go up into the small square hole in the crossmember to the trans mount. If you have a 400thm the 2004r will bolt to the croosmember you will have to locate a 350 yoke for the driveshaft. You use the 350 rubber trans mount. The flex plate on my 77 bolted right up to the 200 converter. Make sure you have the correct bolts they are metric.

Pay close attention to the tv setup. It regulates the pressure applied to the clutches. Not enough and you will smoke it.

 

Try these guys................
they have it all for a 200r4 swap

http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/index.shtml

Hammadown

 

Thanks! I wanted to hear that from someone that had done this. That tv cable adjustment worries me a bit. I watched a guy about cry after burning up a $800 transmission. He had a local shop pull that one and put a cheap rebuilt back in.

I know there are speciality kits and items made to speed this swap along,but if the old crossmember will work with a little creative work, I see no reason to buy a new one. I'm just trying to keep it as inexpensive as possible, that's all.
This forum's a huge help in that. Seems there is always someone who can say
"been there, done that...here's what works"....

I'm not an expert in much, just an old school hotrodder, but anytime I can pass along a little info, I'll do it.

I didn't mean to muscle in on coast101s thread, but I sure do appreciate the info fellers!


John

 

I hadn't seen this before. Sounds interesting though. Definately worth checking and if it works you save $200 plus. Thanks for the info.

 

When I did my 2004R the body was off so it was pretty easy. I made my own crossmember and the tranny bolted right in place no problem at all. The crossmember cost me $30 in parts

 

What was involved? Hoping to do mine in a few weeks as soon as everything is cleaned up and painted.

Thanks
Dick

 

Here's a quote from a thread on this


Started the conversion to the 200-4r yesterday (Saturday)...the crossmember does fit. The standard mount for the th350 is forward of the crossmember on a plate that is attached to the crossmember. Remove the rubber tranny mount, remove the plate and use the two bolt holes on the crossmember to re-attach the tranny mount and the crossmember works with no changes. I also used my stock dust cover because it fit better than the plastic one that was shipped with the tranny. The driveshaft fit with no adjustment. I am going to have to fab a bracket for the cable that runs to the key lock on the steering column. I should be doing the pressure tests tomorrow (Monday).

This was posted by 76texvette on 09/03/06. Here's a link to the whole thread:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...smember-2.html


I think I'll wait until I have the 200 bolted into place and can see what can be done with the stock crossmember before I part with any money for an aftermarket one. I'm more curious than anything now. I really want to see just what the deal is with this.

John

 

Thanks John. I'm with you if I don't have to spend money I don't want to.

 

I dug through some of my stash to help clear this crossmember. In the first pic you see the small trans support that bolts to the crossmember. Only the muncie and the thm350 use that support.



The second pic shows just the crossmember with the two slotted holes. That is where the thm400 trans mount is bolted to. You will use those holes for the 2004r trans mount.



Another note that I did not mention was the is I am running side pipes I don't know for sure if you may have an interference problem with the pipes. The pan on the 200 is real long. The other thing is the rear trans cover bolt sits above the crossmember. Access for a filter change is tough. I plan to cut out a half round slot up the center where that bolt is. Then slice a piece of round pipe and weld it in.But then again it is just as easy to remove the crossmember.

 

Thanks! Those pics really help! This swap is sounding better and better! I just need to root around and scare up a torque converter and I'm in!
Thanks again!


John

 

Is there a particular year 2004R that is better than the other? I have an 81.

Thanks,

Mark G

 

What is the code on the tag by the tail housing. I have used two 86 CZF monte carlos
the performance valvebodys are BQ BR CQ CZ KZ OZ and . Some may have three letter with an F added. However you will need the matched governor, spacer plate. and intermediate servo