hey all i have a 1969 cutlass with (or had) a jetaway which is pretty well dead. im gonna swap to either a th350 or a th400 but i cant decide which will be better. obviously the 400 is the better choice but im not sure how easy itll bolt in considering im low on cash. the one im looking at is from a '77 firebird. any information would help. thanks!

 

The TH350 was optional in the 69 Cutlass and will be a drop-in. The only difference from the Junkaway will be the kickdown cable. The cable for 69-72 runs through the firewall (the knockout is already there below the throttle cable) and is actuated by the accelerator pedal. You need a 69-72 TH350 pedal to accept the cable. Alternatively, you can use a later cable and bracket that goes to the carb lever. Everything else fits exactly.

The TH400 requires a shorter driveshaft, different front yoke, and different e-brake cables (due to the relocated crossmember).

 

Same advice for my 68, Joe?

I remember test driving my Cutlass S before buying it. I thought it was kinda weird that the tranny was not shifting right. It would only go into second gear. I looked at the shift indicator and thought "Awwwww crap! It's only a friggin two speed!!!"

Who springs for an S with buckets and a two speed?!?!?!

 

Thats pretty funny but I have you beat. My 68 Cutlass was purchased as a convertible, with bucket seats (power drivers side), and power windows. Oh, and a crappy two speed....And yes, a crappy inline 6 cylinder. One of only 400 cheap skates that bought a convertible with a 6 cyl. The good part is that the 2 speed is turning into a 4 speed and the 250cu.in. 6 is turning into a 455.

 

Actually, in 1968 you had no choice. The only automatic available in a Cutlass behind the 350 was the Junkaway... er, JETaway. The TH350 was not released until 1969. Note that the 68 Vista Cruiser did come with a TH375 (the low-po TH400 version) but that was not available in the lighter weight Cutlass models.

 

The TH 350 is an excellent transmission. Parts are probably easier to find for it than a TH 400.