700R4 in '62 Starfire

64starfire · April 22nd, 2009, 02:21 PM

Here's a couple of pics a gentleman sent me on the install of this 700r4 in his starfire. Looks like a very tight fit. This was a modified bellhousing by Dave Smith Engineering, not a bolt in kit.

64starfire · April 22nd, 2009, 02:25 PM

The bolt in kits will require cutting the tunnel. That wasn't an option I wanted on my car since it's already been painted, etc. And I really don't have much sheetmetal skills to do it right too.

KQQLCAT · June 9th, 2009, 01:07 PM

Are you telling me that this swap did NOT need tunnel enlarging?

64starfire · June 9th, 2009, 01:18 PM

these pictures are from a trans that has had the bellhousing cut down....and it's a tight fit. Now add or (visually push back) 6" or so more of an unmodified tunnel.

Something that was brought to my attention in discussion once was with the body of the trans that tight in the tunnel doesn't allow for much airflow for cooling i.e. the case is made of aluminium. So either way, it's recommended that the tunnel get redone.

Oldskeeper · June 9th, 2009, 04:22 PM

In 63 they (being GM) changed the angle of the drive train lowering the tunnel and kept it that way for 64 as well. So fitting a updated tranny in a 64 starfire will be even closer,you should measure the tunnel section width and hieght before moving forward.There are many 62 starfire guys on here that can measure their tunnels and check it against your tunnel.I would hate to see you go to all that modification only to have to chop the floor.
Just a thought.
Steve

64starfire · June 9th, 2009, 07:48 PM

I'm going to tip the back of the engine down, install the whole setup, then lift up and go from there. I already know I'm going to have to cut and weld. I may go tunnel shopping at the local pick n pull. I saw a tunnel in a 73 continental that looked pretty tempting. Luckily the neighbor lady is moving out and letting me use her garage. It begins tomorrow.

Anyone want a slim jim trans?

d2_willys · June 10th, 2009, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 64starfire

Here's a couple of pics a gentleman sent me on the install of this 700r4 in his starfire. Looks like a very tight fit. This was a modified bellhousing by Dave Smith Engineering, not a bolt in kit.

That looks tight! I would think you could take a sledge hammer and get more clearance without having to graft in a new tunnel. I take it that the bellhousing was chopped down to fit the integral bellhousing of the 394.

Wonder if a 2004r transmission would be any better as far as clearance?

April 22nd, 2009, 02:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
64starfire Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 55	700R4 in '62 Starfire Here's a couple of pics a gentleman sent me on the install of this 700r4 in his starfire. Looks like a very tight fit. This was a modified bellhousing by Dave Smith Engineering, not a bolt in kit.

April 22nd, 2009, 02:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
64starfire Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 55	Bolt in kits The bolt in kits will require cutting the tunnel. That wasn't an option I wanted on my car since it's already been painted, etc. And I really don't have much sheetmetal skills to do it right too.

June 9th, 2009, 01:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
64starfire Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 55	most likely these pictures are from a trans that has had the bellhousing cut down....and it's a tight fit. Now add or (visually push back) 6" or so more of an unmodified tunnel. Something that was brought to my attention in discussion once was with the body of the trans that tight in the tunnel doesn't allow for much airflow for cooling i.e. the case is made of aluminium. So either way, it's recommended that the tunnel get redone.

June 9th, 2009, 07:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
64starfire Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 55	my plans I'm going to tip the back of the engine down, install the whole setup, then lift up and go from there. I already know I'm going to have to cut and weld. I may go tunnel shopping at the local pick n pull. I saw a tunnel in a 73 continental that looked pretty tempting. Luckily the neighbor lady is moving out and letting me use her garage. It begins tomorrow. Anyone want a slim jim trans?

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June 9th, 2009, 01:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
KQQLCAT Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hudson, WI Posts: 104	Are you telling me that this swap did NOT need tunnel enlarging?

June 9th, 2009, 04:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
Oldskeeper Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bradford, Ontario Posts: 103	In 63 they (being GM) changed the angle of the drive train lowering the tunnel and kept it that way for 64 as well. So fitting a updated tranny in a 64 starfire will be even closer,you should measure the tunnel section width and hieght before moving forward.There are many 62 starfire guys on here that can measure their tunnels and check it against your tunnel.I would hate to see you go to all that modification only to have to chop the floor. Just a thought. Steve

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