lonestarjarhead

I'm replacing the engine and transmission in my 63 Dynamic 88 Conv., with a 455 and TH400, so I'm selling the 394 and transmission. The engine and transmission are still in the car and it runs and drives. Motor has a recently rebuild carb on it and the slimjim transmission shifts good(well, let me rephrase - as good as slimjims did shift). Motor needs the rear main seal replaced due to sitting up too long. Asking $750 for the pair and I could help on delivery with a reasonable distance of East Texas.

mur59

hey would that be a dual exhuast

lonestarjarhead

No, not really, someone ran a set of pseudo duals by splitting the exhause pipe under rear floor and putting two outlets. Doesn't have dual manifolds. Sorry

chequenman

I got to tell you that the swap out to a 455, and a TH400 ain't easy as the engine mounts on the 455 are on the sides at the front of the engine and the 394 has just one front engine mount at the front in the center. This is not a easy swap to say the least but you'll find that you have to cobble up the Frame just to try and get the right angles just so the U-joints don't tighten up from not having the correct angles for flexing and that is just the beginning of things to look forward too!!

lonestarjarhead

Yeah, I realize that it's really gonna be a hassle. I wanted to go to a little more modern setup. Parts for the 394 are rare and the slimjim is always questionable.It's a shame that the Olds engineers put in such a bastard engine and transmission. Nothing else will fit, even for a transmission, unless you want to spend big bucks for a custom made transmission housing. SBC would go in easier, but want the big Olds torque.

64Rocket

If you have mechanical skills, it will not be that hard. "Citicap" did it to his '57, and has a detailed install with pic's on line .
I would talk to him. He is a member here.
My thought would be to pull the front clip off, that way you have room to move and do set up and take measurements.

Gene

URABSOLUTE1

How much do you want for just the transmission?

lonestarjarhead

Really would like to sell the pair, but guess I would seperate them and sell justs the transmission for $350. Thanks for the interest.

URABSOLUTE1

Thanks, i am new to this forum. I recently purchased my car (1964 olsmobile 98 two door. My transmission guy says its roto 10 also known as a slim jim. Want to make sure it would be a straight replacement.
If so i can pick if i can? Where are you located?

URABSOLUTE1

URABSOLUTE1

Thanks, i would like to make arrangements for transmission?

66400

What about using an Olds Toronado front motor mount? Years ago we installed a 425 Olds engine into a 58 Chev pickup by using the front "U" bracket from a Toro.

Henry

chequenman

I don't see any difference with the engine mounts on a Toro 425 as they are front side mounts. The 394 engine is a single mount at the very front of the engine under the Timing Chain housing.

66400

The '60's Toros used a U shaped bracket that mounts to the very front of the engine under the timing chain housing also using a single mount.
Henry

chequenman

I gues that "U" bracket attaches to the original side mounts cast in the Block does it??

64Rocket

No, the toro in 66, 67 mounted just like the 394. A "U" shape engine mount, bolted to the timing cover bolts, just like the 394 engine. Because the Toro engine faced as a normal engine and the trans was mounted on the side of the engine, for the most part .Google it and you will see.

Gene

rustyrocket

Not sure if you went through with this purchase/install, yet. There are virtually no differences in the 63-64 transmissions (slim jim) the only big difference is the location of the speedometer. In the 61-63 it is located on the tail section of the trans and, as I am sure you figured out, in 64 they moved it to the front spindle. So this should not affect your swap, but for those who are reading and are looking to swap a 64 back to 61-63 cars, that is an issue you will have to address.

chequenman

The '61, '62, '63, and '64 Full Size Oldsmobiles all had speedometer functions in the front left Spindle!!! These Roto 10 trannys were used in many other applications such as Military use and many of those vehicles used the tranny to get a speed reading....

rustyrocket

That is categorically un true. I have a 100% original 62 olds 88, and the speedo cable runs directly from the rear of the trans up the firewall divider, and to the dash cluster. I have replaced all 4 wheel cylinders and have never seen anything that would suggest there are speedo functions on any of the wheels. 64 is the first year they did that on the full size Olds.

59-59-59

You might want to check out that before you post bad information. And with the exception of a third world country, what military would want a Slim Jim behind anything? I never heard of the military using these things

rustyrocket

AGREED. I was thinking the exact same thing about the military use of this inferior transmission. And I own one!! and unless the tank/APV/whatever is running a poncho 389, or a 394 the ROT wouldn't even bolt up to it. And I don't think that they would go through the effort to adapt a SLIM JIM to any other engine set ups. That would not only be an even weaker combo it would be ridiculously expensive. Sorry dude.

chequenman

Well, after all your "Sarcasm" I really don't think I should respond, but I'm just not that type of guy, so I will make mention that the U.S. Military DID in fact use these Transmissions in Personnel Carriers and who are they to know that these Transmissions where going to be such HIGH MAINTENANCE items. I have Nine '62 and '63 F/S Oldsmobiles and I have many friends with similar oldsmobiles and everyone of them have speedo's driven on the left front wheel. I have taken note that the Canadian Service Manual's also make mention of Tranny operated speedo's, but I've never noticed any.
As far as you saying "sorry dude" you really don't seem to know the meaning of the word....

rustyrocket

I don't want to make any enimies on this forum, because I will probably eventually need your or someone elses help here. So no offense I hope. I have personally taken apart ALL 4 of my wheel assemblies, and there are no mechanical connections that would in anyway lead to the speedometer. I got a personal message, from a member, earlier stating the this person's 63 olds 98 had the speedo control on the right front spindle and that got me thinking. The 98 as well as the star fire, and super 88 are higher end cars, possible with disk breaks which might mean the speedo is located on the wheel. I have a 62 dynamic 88, and the speedo cable runs from the dash directly to the tail section of the transmission. This is all I know FOR SURE. As far as the military use. I would love to read an article about this. If you can send me a link that would be cool!

lonestarjarhead

The car that the engine and transmission listed in this thread is in fact a 63 and it does have the speedo cable running to the left front wheel hub. Might not be original to the car(lot of things have changed in 49 years), but if they changed it, someone went to a lot of work.

rustyrocket

That is interesting. The information I got about the location of the speedo drive came from a guy that has had several 88's, 98's, starfires. So I am going with what he said. Maybe the switch over year was 63, not 64 like HE said. Again, MY 62 has it onthe tail section of the trans. and the 61 ROTO he has sitting in his garage has it on the tail section. So as long as the tag on yours says 63, than that solves it. 63-64 have it ont he front spindle for all full size, and 61-62 has the speedo drive on the tail section of the trans. See, TOGETHER we all figured it out. Great work Guys !!