russell-t

My 1963 Cutlass F-85 convertable has a rebuilt roto-5 trans in it now.

The rebuild is going on it's third year.

It has some shuddering when starting out and thru 2nd gear until it shifts into

third.Concerned that it may be on it's way out!(breakdown).

Is there anyone who has swapped a more modern transmission into this type

of car keeping the 215 V8 engine? Want to stay with an automatic. Not afraid

of anything mechanical, just would like to know what is out there that will

work. Current roto-5 is just about the sloppiest trans I've ever driven.

jensenracing77

That stock transmission is not a great transmission at all. I have one in out Jetfire... There are adapter kits available to mount modern transmissions to the 215 but to fit ANY other transmission you will have to cut the floor pan out and make a new one. Even an original 4 speed setup will require a differant floor pan.

D&D has adapter plates. http://aluminumv8.com/

joe_padavano

Huh? My friend Scott swapped his RH5 for a stock T-10 and the only floorpan mod required was the addition of a shifter hump. Personally, I'd go with a T5 instead of the T-10.

As noted, the only automatics that fit are the RH5 and the Buick equivalent from the same year Skylark.

jensenracing77

Maybe I misunderstood Jim. I thought he told me that the 4 speed pan was not the same as an automatic pan and that a 4 speed would not fit. I didn't understand why GM would use two differant pans but maybe it was Jim that I didn't understand.

young olds

Its been my understanding that all three(3 speed, 4 speed and auto) have different pans as well. I have a 3 speed car and 3 autos. just by looking they dont look different, but idk i never did any measuring.

joe_padavano

All I can say is that Scott didn't change the floor pan in his car when he swapped the RH5 for a T10. Obviously he cut out for the shifter and he used a repro hump for a Nova. The trans crossmember needs to be moved also.

young olds

did he have to move it rewards? I almost did a 4 speed swap in one of mine, and i want to do a t5 in another.

1k442

The photo below is a 4 speed hump in my 1963 Jetfire. The car was auto and I switched it to 4 speed. If you look there is an extra piece of sheet metal on the drivers side.
Ken



63jetfirepatch1_zps902bc714.jpg