My roto 5 transmission in my 63 f-85 is beginning to act up and want to

replace it with a more modern transmission. The stock 215 has no flexplate

as we know it, there is a spring loaded damper plate into which the trans

shaft goes.

What will I have to do to my engine to be able to mount a flexplate

to it,and what flexplate from what car will I have to use to mount a torque

converter to it?

I feel someone out there has done this. Any ideas?

 

The 61-63 215 V8 Buick Skylark uses a flexplate, but you would be forced to use the "DualPath Dynaflow" that was used in this car. It's a very smooth
lightweight (96 lb.) transmission, air cooled, but only two speeds plus a three-element torque converter with a single turbine and a single variable-pitch stator. If this flexplate can be re-drilled for a different automatic, I don't know. In any case, if a different transmission besides the "Dual Path Dynaflow" or the funky Hydra-matic is used, a bell housing adaptor will be needed.

 

The 215 family (including the Rover derivatives) have a unique bellhousing bolt pattern shared by no other engine (except the 1961-63 198 cu in Buick V6). The only way to get a modern GM automatic to bolt up is to order the adapter kit from D&D Fabrications. Note that all modern GM automatics are larger than the RH5 and will require floorpan mods to fit (in addition to driveshaft and crossmember mods).

 

Would you know if the D&D adaptor kit would have what it takes to

mount the converter to the engine?

 

I suspect that the kit will tell you to get a flexplate from a Buick 215. The Buick automatic used a conventional converter, unlike the RH5.

 

In the UK most 215's (aka "Rover V8") had a Borg Warner transmission behind them. I don't know if they are readily available over there.
Perhaps a Range Rover transmission could be adapted to fit.


Roger.

 

This helps a lot.I was unaware that the buick 215 used a flexplate.

This simplifies the changeover if the Buick flexplate can be drilled to match

a newer converter.

Will research more with this info and post what I find out.

Thanks for responding to all of you.

 

The Rover blocks are externally identical to the GM blocks, including the bellhousing bolt pattern. The Rover trans bolts up. It is HUGE and 4WD. The BW trans used in the 2WD Rovers is a better choice, but difficult to find in the U.S.

 

Scroll up and look at Post #2 in this thread.

 

To Joe.

You said that you have converted your f-85 to a 5spd. manual transmission.

I've been thinking about all the work involved with this swap and it

occurred to me that a 5spd. would be more fun to drive and would add

more potential value to my car.(convertible).

How has this swap worked out for you,and is it do-able by someone

with moderate mechanical skills (me).

Would like your (and anyone else) opinion on the value part of my

question,as I don't want to devalue my car by appearing to be (cut up),

(altered) too far beyond stock.

 

Unfortunately, I've collected the parts but not completed the install yet. The T5 with GM pattern case will bolt to the stock 215 manual trans bellhousing. D&D sells repro bellhousings and can also set you up with an adapter to allow the use of the more common (and stronger) Mustang T5. You will want to swap the T5 tailhousing for one from an S10 pickup to move the shifter to a better position. Of course you'll need to build a custom driveshaft and move the crossmember. And you'll need a manual trans pedal set for your car, as well as clutch linkage and a flywheel. These are available used. I suspect that such a swap will not hurt the value of your car.