in final stages of partial resto on 69 cutlass convert and converting 2spd to th350. question is, i need a trans dipstick. i was looking for a modern style locking one, but so far no luck. i have seen dipstick tubes w/ o-rings, but this trans which i just received from a local trans shop has a rubber sleeve in dipstick that tube slips in. are theses tubes interchangeable? also the 2sp trans has a rod from the steering shaft to trans and a wire off harness plugs into side of trans. what are these for? my th350 has no provision for the electric hookup. (car has factory console shifter so not sure what rod is for. do i need to keep either when i install new trans. sorry so long

 

The rod from the trans to the steering column is the backdrive linkage. Starting with the 1969 model year, the Feds required that the shifter lock with the ignition key, even with a floor shift. On most cars, GM also used the backdrive linkage to operate the neutral start switch/backup light switch, which was also on the column (this allowed it to be the same for column and floor shift cars). A factory 1969 floor shift SHOULD have the switch on the shifter, however, so you may be OK to delete the linkage. Be aware, however, that if the collar on the steering column gets rotated from the PARK postion, you will not be able to remove the ignition key.

The electrical connector is for the electric solenoid kickdown used on the Jetaway and the TH400. The TH350 uses a cable kickdown (you did hook this up, didn't you?), so just ignore the switch and secure the wires. Your car will have a switch on top of the accelerator pedal. You will need to change the pedal to a TH350 pedal, which has a tab for attaching the kickdown cable. The cable comes through the firewall and connects to the accelerator pedal. Look closely at the firewall below the throttle cable and you should see a small plug that blocks the hole where the kickdown cable enters.

Note that you should not discard any of these parts, as they are hard to come by and sought out by restorers.

 

I have a nice OEM dipstick for a TH350. It was purchased for 82 Elcamino application from the GM parts counter. Its does not lock but it does use the modern hat seal instead of O-ring. It was in my street strip car for a short time betore I put a power glide in it. Discontinued from GM now. I will take 40.00 shipped for it.

 

joe thanks for help and info. i think i am going to buy a cable from Lokar that mounts to carb linkage. i used throttle/kickdown cables from Lokar on my 70 firebird and nice quality and easy to install/adjust.
gearheads let me get back w/ you on that as i have to see if i can return dispstick i have, if not, i prob could modify bracket to fit. i was told dipsticks are same for chev and olds th350, just mount bracket is diff

again thanks guys, i am so close to finishing car. now for all the looses ends

 

I use a Lokar flexable dipstick on my Olds. It mounts to the firewall or to the engine in the stock location depending on which style you get. The only negitive is you have to carry an adapter to add tranny fluid because the tube is smaller then the stock tube. It does look good though