71 trans help needed
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
71 trans help needed
I just bought my first vette, a 71 coupe 454 auto. it was disasembled and missing its transmission when I bought it. will any year 400 trans from any year car/truck fit and work in my car? still has shifter and cable installed. another question, looking at the crossmember area, I see one big welded in piece with the exhaust holes there, nothing else, am I missing anything else there? thanks in advance, this a great place, I have already found answers to several problems I have ran across trying to put this car back together.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,315
Likes: 4,418
From: Westminster Maryland
I'm sorry I can offer only 1 piece of info after reading your post.
I believe if you're seeing a 'welded in' cross-member you have a chassis from a 4-speed car. The cross-members for automatic cars were 'bolt-in'.
I don't know if you can use the 4-speed cross-member or if you should change to the one for an automatic.
Hopefully this isn't problem.
Regards,
Alan
I believe if you're seeing a 'welded in' cross-member you have a chassis from a 4-speed car. The cross-members for automatic cars were 'bolt-in'.
I don't know if you can use the 4-speed cross-member or if you should change to the one for an automatic.
Hopefully this isn't problem.
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
I believe than any THM 400 will bolt up to your engine...but all of them are not the same. There were many configurations of torque converters (to match with the engine/diff combinations); so I would recommend that you install a new torque converter designed for that HP & rpm range of operation. Also, there may have been 'beefier' parts put into some of the BB transmissions. But if you are not going to race/drag the car, that shouldn't be a problem.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,193
Likes: 4,018
From: Connecticut, USA
The chevy TH400 housing is a little different, it comes to a "peak" at the eng mount.
The earlier ones have a stronger drum and element then the 71+ When I rebuilt my 72's I bought the drum and a new element for a 69.
The earlier ones have a stronger drum and element then the 71+ When I rebuilt my 72's I bought the drum and a new element for a 69.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
I'm sorry I can offer only 1 piece of info after reading your post.
I believe if you're seeing a 'welded in' cross-member you have a chassis from a 4-speed car. The cross-members for automatic cars were 'bolt-in'.
I don't know if you can use the 4-speed cross-member or if you should change to the one for an automatic.
Hopefully this isn't problem.
Regards,
Alan
I believe if you're seeing a 'welded in' cross-member you have a chassis from a 4-speed car. The cross-members for automatic cars were 'bolt-in'.
I don't know if you can use the 4-speed cross-member or if you should change to the one for an automatic.
Hopefully this isn't problem.
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,315
Likes: 4,418
From: Westminster Maryland
To Whom It May Concern (Mrs. 71 Coupe 454),
When God creates a Corvette He decides early during the gestation whether the car will be equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission or an automatic transmission.
Both are equally desirable, but it's not in his providence to change the transmission later in the Corvette's life. He does some things to the car during the gestation that make it difficult to make the change and some people say it's even painful.
For many people the 4-speed transmission is actually MORE desirable and fun to drive. I'll bet you'll be the envy of your friends when they learn you and your husband have a 4-speed car.
Regards,
Alan
When God creates a Corvette He decides early during the gestation whether the car will be equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission or an automatic transmission.
Both are equally desirable, but it's not in his providence to change the transmission later in the Corvette's life. He does some things to the car during the gestation that make it difficult to make the change and some people say it's even painful.
For many people the 4-speed transmission is actually MORE desirable and fun to drive. I'll bet you'll be the envy of your friends when they learn you and your husband have a 4-speed car.
Regards,
Alan
