L77F85

now before the "just replace it with a 350 or 400" crowd chimes in please hear me out. i recently purchased a #'s matching bone stock 65 442. unfortunately the "throwaway" 300 is the stocker for my car & i'd like to keep it all stock if possible. the th300 tranny leaks badly & i've already replaced the pan gasket. it might need to be overhauled or at least checked out. i've read that these transmissions can be kind of difficult for the average transmission repair shop to rebuild "correctly" can anyone recommend any reputable transmission shops that can do the work? (preferably close to the west coast)

if it's really not worth the effort please let me know. i do have a switch pitch th400 from a 67 442 that i can install but i don't know if i want to start drilling holes in the frame to move the crossmember back & changing all kinds of stuff on this all original 65 442. i feel bad about molesting this car in anyway since it's been so well preserved

thanks

BangScreech4-4-2

Good for you. Too many of us seem to want to "modernize" our rides. When I drive an old car, I want it to feel like an experience I might have had back in the '60s or '70s. I always say if you want something that drives like a new car, go buy a Kia off the showroom floor.


While I wouldn't consider a transmission swap butchery, it certainly is a modification. The two-speed switch-pitch Jetaways might not be top performers, but they are not without their charms. I've driven several and the switch-pitch does add another dimension.


Can't help you with a referral to a shop in your area, but I just wanted to congratulate you for doing the right thing. Hopefully, some of our full-time SoCal members will chime in with some recommendations.

L77F85

thank you! think i remember reading somewhere... "it's only original... once" here she is sleeps in her unrestored beauty. stock A heads & 400 motor, stock 3.23 posi diff, all 5 "R" code steelies & wire dual spinner hub caps. original owner had valve job done in mid 80's not sure why but the shop painted valve covers RED original owner parked it & had left her in storage since the early 1990's. i have original protecto plate & build sheet for her too. can't wait to get her on the road again

BangScreech4-4-2

Beautiful! Really does look original and unmolested. Best of luck!

oldcutlass

Nice find, I'd keep it original also.

jensenracing77

Looks great. A good transmission shop will have no trouble rebuilding it. The problem is finding a trustworthy transmission guy. I would recommend going to your nearest drag strip and asking several of the drivers.

nsnarsk65cutlass

Nice car i like it,sorry no referals tho.Is that the original washer fluid bottle,i thought it was mounted on the drivers side.Nick,

toymobile

The 300 is very close to POWER GLIDE, Should be apiece of cake for a trasn guy over 50 years old, or a RACE SHOP. Good luck

BangScreech4-4-2

Actually, aside from being two-speed planetary transmissions with torque converters and similar ratios, the two transmissions have surprisingly little in common.

L77F85

the 65 442 has the wiper wash tank mounted on top of the passenger side inner fender well but there is another plastic tank partially hidden on positive side of the battery underneath the drivers side fender

i also own a bone stock 1965 F85 Deluxe with a 330 v8. on the F85 the radiator overflow tank is mounted on the passenger side inner fender (not wheel well) with a bracket (last pic). not sure if it's the original or not. i know the mounting bolts for the bracket look newer than the rest of the car... i installed them because the overflow tank bracket was only being held on with one old rusty bolt when i got the car.

thanks again for all the replies guys!

oldcutlass

Picture 1 looks like a later model window washer fluid tank. Picture 2 is a stock window washer fluid tank in the normal crumbly state found today. Picture 3 is an aftermarket (recent design) radiator overflow tank.

L77F85

thank you