Hey, a question:

Is it possible to ID a switch pitch TC installed in the car?

I am aware of confirming the old style filter plus two spade 12 V terminals to ID trans as pre 70 and switch pitch, as well as looking at splines on input shaft (less spline length means switch pitch) but I was wondering if popping off the lower cover on the bellhousing and looking at the side of the TC had any sort of special markings?

Also, since the input shaft is set for a switch pitch, can one put a non switch pitch in it, or would that require changing the input shaft too?

Thanks.

 

I stumped the brain trust!

 

This might help, http://www.buickperformanceclub.com/switchpitch.htm http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.ph...isual-ID-guide

 

I believe there are visible plug welds that indicate SP presence.

Sure see the above excellent links

 

Wonderful, thanks.

 

If you're lucky enough to have a SP, Bruce Roe makes an electronic controller that is far superior to the factory mechanical switch.

I had the factory switch working in mine, but am looking forward to getting it running with his updated controller.

His contact info is: bcroe --> juno.com

 

ernie's switch pitch convertor has the number 4 stamped around the entire outside perimeter, they alternate right side up, and upside down stampings. they are easily seen with the inspection cover removed. also, the convertor was originally painted a "metallic-ish" green.


bill
p.s. i tried posting pics the day you posted this-it didn't work out, i had to leave.

 

Thanks for both pieces of info. The car should have one, being a 67 442, assuming it wasn't replaced. I was considering wiring a "hi/normal/low" switch in there, with the extremes being manual control, and the mid just defaulting back to the factory's switch.
However, the electric controller sounds very interesting.

 

here's a few pix i snapped of ernie's switch pitch input shaft and convertor. i had sent these to bruce roe, to verify that they were in fact, switch pitch pieces on a poncho thm400(poncho never got the switch pitch-someone converted ernie's poncho tranny).


bill

 

I have a '67 Cutlass Supreme. Here's the trans & converter from the car (Feb. '67 CA built). Does this look original & un-rebuilt with a factory switch-pitch converter or something else? Are the date codes and or usage codes stamped on the case somewhere?

Bill what makes your trans a Poncho trans?

 

this:





bill

p.s. who the hell is painting transmissions ugly-a$$ green?

 

The code looks to be the same between '66 & '67 for an a-body 330 4bbl Jetaway - "MK"

So, this a '66 transmission, correct? Is the 117 a unit number or date code?

& it's a "lovely" shade of green

 

yes, i'd say it's a '66 jetaway/st300. is that a cute little rocket stamped in the part(governor cover?), at the top? my best guess is that 117 would be the julian production date, 117th day of '66.

and just for clarity's sake, all my pix are of a s.p. thm400. the tag shows a serial/ model number of PB-66. i'm fairly certain that the equivalent Olds would have an OB-66 on the tag.


bill

 

I think it's a stylized "H"? I found a reference to the 117 being a date also, 117 = Wednesday, 4/27/66.

Is a switch-pitch 400 actually a Super Turbine 400 (ST-400) & not a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 (TH-400), even though some parts interchange & one can be converted to the other?

 

as far as i know, the turbo hydramatic 400 was the only thing it was called, but maybe buick called it something else, like super turbine 400??? i know they called their 2-speed the super turbine 300, and Olds called it the jetaway.


bill

 

to my understanding -- the Switch pitch torque converter turbo hydra matic 400 was only available in full size vehicles of 1965-67...... no cutlass that I am aware of got the 425 or the variable pitch turbo 400 ... they sure should have though -- IMO and others is that the '67 425 was one of the best engines Oldsmobile built .....

EK

 

'67 442 automatics & "turnpike cruisers" are 400 cu.in. w/switch pitch 400 transmissions

 

oh yeah the cutlass turnpike cruiser of '67 -- was it the only A-body to get the big tranny? was it a one year only?

EK

 

not only could the '67 442 get the big auto -- a floor mounted 3spd was standard really?

floor mounted M20 & M21 - not sure the difference there, obviously still learning about olds A bodies -- as the Big B's still rule my world -- thanks for setting me straight hurstolds68 -- keep up the good work --

EK
'67 88
'73 88

 

For model year 1967, 442 was an available OPTION on the 2 door Cutlass Supreme ONLY. The 2 door Cutlass Supreme was available as a "sports coupe" (sedan), "holiday coupe" (hardtop), & "convertible".

As far as the transmission is concerned the L78 - "4-4-2 Performance Package" included a 3-speed floor mounted manual transmission. This was a FoMoCo (Ford Motor Company) "toploader" transmission referred to at GM as a "Dearborn" unit. This transmission was available in other a-bodies as sales code M14.

M20 (wide ratio) & M21 (close ratio) manual (Muncie) 4-speed transmissions were available OPTIONS ($184.31), rear axle gear ratio determined which transmission a 442 would receive.

M40 (TH400) was the ONLY available automatic transmission ($236.97) for the 442.

The M40 was a required OPTION on the L66 - "Turnpike Cruiser" & an available OPTION on any Vista Cruiser or a-body "Police Apprehender" vehicle.