i am installing a drivetrain from a 68 442 in my car the 400 engine and transmission. i have the driveshaft with the torque converter . I think i will have to replace the shifter linkage and i saw a kit available from shiftworks , is there anything else i have to do?

Thanks Bruce

 

More info...what was originally in the car(engine & trans combo)? Column shift or floor console shift, Stick or automatic, L6 or V8???
Hard to give you exact answers without all the info.
"Anything else I have to do?"....is a loaded question. Depending on what was there originally there are many things you need to do and be aware of.

 

presently the car has a 350 with a Jetaway transmission floor console.It is a convertible no air car. I am doing a body off restauration. I installed a posi unit in the existing carrier with 3.23 gear
Thanks
Bruce

 

I think this is what you need to convert your 2spd shifter to a 3spd:
http://www.shiftworks.com/cutlas67-75.htm

 

You'll need to move the trans cross member back to the TH400s location, the holes are there. Use the 350s engine block mounts on the 400 block. Make sure they're serviceable or replace with the same thing if needed. You need to modify the E brake forward cable mount locations or purchase the correct assembly for TH400 car they are different. The 2 speed floor shifter can be modified by filing the 3rd detent to allow the shifting pin to detent into 1st gear. You'll need the 3 speed shifter cable too. The chrome top plate needs to have the rear portion above the shift plate filler carefully removed with a fine hack saw to allow it to go into 1st gear. Or source both of these from a 3 speed trans car. The shift detent and indicator lens are being reproduced. The chrome shift plate is not. The indicator lens needs to be replaced with 3 speed lens. May need to adjust the reverse back up light switch. The speedo head will work as its already a floor shift car otherwise it would have PRND123 in the speedo head for a column shifted car.
Then there is the trans cooler lines and fuel line that may need modification. Radiator and shroud sourced from the 400 car. Upgrade to a high torque starter. Not sure about the battery cables. Inspect and replace if needed. Use the 400/455 exhaust manifolds with the larger diameter exhaust system all the way out. Use all of the fan belt accessory drives/pulleys water pump etc.. from either the 400 or the 350. Dont try to mix them. Preferably you have everything from the 400? I eliminated the exhaust crossover system. Blocked off the intake ports and removed the thermal flap from the drivers ex mani and welded the holes. You can install an electric choke or modify the divorced to work. The TH400 will have an electric kick down for passing gear. Its a switch mounted above the gas pedal. Source the wiring from the 400/400 car. I think it may be available aftermarket/repro. The throttle cable and carb mount bracket is 400/455 specific. Both are reproduced. Look at Fusick.
Get an GM Cutlass/442/F85 assembly and fisher body manual before going any farther.
Do a google search too on this swap subject Its been discussed here multiple times. I just happened to have some time to reiterate it here.
Grab any FE2 suspension parts you can get off the 442. The front/rear sway bars and lower rear control arms.
Clean ALL the grounds in the car while its apart.

What else am I forgetting here fellers?

 

I'll add that the correct exhaust manifolds are the 1968-only X/Y pair. These are not individual runner manifolds, so if performance is more important than "correctness" (this IS a swap, after all), I'd go with the 1969-72 W/Z manifolds (assuming you don't want to run headers, which would actually be my first choice).

 

Does anyone have pictures of what the kick down switch and cable at the gas pedal look like

thanks Bruce

 

An original Jetaway car should have a kickdown switch already on the gas pedal assembly. Although, I'm not sure if the switch is different for a TH400 car.


If you need a switch, PM me as I have the one I removed when I swapped my Jetaway for a 200-4R.

 

Your right it did have a switch but I want to see if it can be used for a turbo 400 transmission. Thanks I have the old switch.If someone has a picture of the switch and how it is mounted for a Cutlass/442 68-72

thanks Bruce

 

The kickdown switch and wiring is exactly the same for a Jetaway and TH400.

 

Can i use the existing wiring that was connected to the switch. Do i need to replace wiring harness.

Bruce

 

You can use the existing switch and harness for the T400.

 

Thanks Everyone for your help

 

thank you for your help