I'm a novice who is working on a 65' Olds Starfire that does not have a transmission (auto). I'm currently looking for a TH350 and have a couple questions.
1. Is the TH350 the correct transmission and if so is there anything special with the bellhousing to fit the 425 engine. (I wanna buy the right one the first time.)
2. There are no support brackets left on the vehicle so if anyone could tell me what I need in order to mount the transmission I would greatly appreciate. Also information on whether or not brackets from other makes/models that would work.)
3. There is no drive shaft so where do I start to source?


This car is kicking my *** but I'm not going to give up on it so Thank you in advance for the help.

 

The Turbo 400 is the correct trans with long tailshaft and switch pitch. The bell housing is part of the trans not separate. There is the cross member that supports the trans. The 65 thru 67 and maybe later full sized cars like the Dynamic 88 or Delta 88 have the parts you need. Do not put a 350 trans in this car.

 

If by "support brackets" you mean transmission crossmember, any 1965-1970 Olds or Buick full size is a donor. Just be sure you get the right one - convertibles and hardtops with the boxed frame use a narrower crossmember than car with the open channel frame.

As noted, the correct trans is a long tail TH400. These will be found in any 1965-76 Olds/Buick full size. A 67-72 Vista Cruiser with a big block (400 or 455) would also be a donor, but avoid the TH375 used in the 68-69 Vistas with the 350 that has a TH400 case but light duty internals and small output shaft.

If you're lucky, you will find a driveshaft from a 1965-70 Delta 88 with TH400. You may find it easier to simply have one made.

 

I'll point out that while the switch pitch converter is nice (and correct for your car), it is not mandatory. You are more likely to find a newer trans without it. Also, since your car drives the speedo cable from the LH front wheel, your original trans had a blanked off spot where the speedo drive gear went. Most replacements will have a speedo drive gear. Just ignore it.

 

I have a few long shaft 400s,a 65 I just took out,but failed to keep crossmember,a68with 56k on it and a couple others I call cores. pm if interested

 

Thanks for the information.

 

thanks for the info.

 

i have a trans,crossmember and driveshaft from a 67 delmont 4 dr sedan if interested.located in central mass.jc

 

Delmonts could have come with either a Jetaway (with the 330) or a TH400 (with the 425). Which one do you have? I might be interested in a 1967 TH400 from a full size.

 

joe,this was a delmont 425,400 trans.should have mentioned that but i wouldn't have offered a jetaway for a starfire.i yard drove the car and used the engine,71k miles and the engine was perfect,fluid is nice.car was stored for 20 years and had rotted out floors.i think you got an a/c bracket from this car.

 

this 67 400 trans is a known good transmission,i also have one from a 66 dynamic 88 (also 400) that i wasn't able to test drive due to engine being blown.i believe ti's good but selling as a core.jc

 

indeed the sedan crossmember is longer but i have just compared it to a convertible crossmember and it can easily be sized to fit by cutting a couple inches off each end.the shape of the crossmember remains the same at the ends so it would fit into the frame mounts.the trans i have is a known good unit.pm me if interested.jc

 

I've found a transmission locally but still need the trans, cross member and driveshaft. Do you still have?

 

yes i do.$150 for both.i can bring to gettysburg if you are going and can wait,otherwise no idea how much shipping will be.jc