Roger60

Unfamiliar with the 2 speed trans. Had a few Powerglides in 60's Chevys, but back then I only cared that my $75. 63 Impala got me there. I have read that others change to a 3 or 4 spd auto. Also hear about the switch pitch converter. My build is a 67 Cutlass conv. It will have the 320 hp 330 mostly stock engine and the 8.5" 12 bolt non posi rear from a 67 Supreme sedan. I have 2 Jetaways, the one from the parts car and the one from the conv, which came with the 250 hp and 10 bolt rear. Is there a difference? If I went with a 3 or 4 spd, how to convert the dash indicator?
Thanks for any info.

lunaboy

they suck ... use a 67 442 dash indicator from a 3 speed and go th350

Roger60

Care to elaborate? Also have not seen lotsa 442 dash indicators laying around What models would I consider getting a TH 350 from?

Octania

OK, I will play the devil's advocate here

I had a 64, 66, 67, and [maybe a] 69 with SB 2-bbl or 4-bbl and Jetaway Trans. Properly hooked up with switch pitch operating, they are serviceable and fun. Two speeds x switch pitch is like having 3 or 4 gears. Shifted out of 2nd at 60 with WOT. Very drivable. The '64 was a 4-bbl with presumably performance gearing [never checked for details but it felt fast]. The others were the usual granny gear final drive like 3.08 at best.

I tend to think that the attitude against the Jetaway comes from folks who do not have experience with a properly operating one.

If you go TH350 or the like, you will have to find the 442 type PRNDSL or fabricate your own. Might need the mechanism altered to allow enough travel at the trans as provided by the available travel at the shifter on the column or floor.

oldcutlass

Linkage wise, a 3 speed trans swap is not an issue and works fine. Finding an indicator may be. If your just going to be cruising around the 2 speed will work fine.

Fun71

That's impressive for a 2 speed transmission. What did it shift into?

lunaboy

ok, you have a cutlass that needs a trans rebuild or swap then if your going to swap out anyway then why not upgrade like the factory did to a th350 in 69 or even an overdrive unit for todays driving. If you rebuild the junkaway you have to deal with expensive rebuild, proper set up, and finding a new or rebuilt Switch pitch torque converter.

I have an all original 66 442 that the jetaway went south on and i opted to replaced it with a th400 and saved the original trans in storage. Its not as quick... with the heavy th400... as octania says jetaways are serviceable and fun. "Two speeds x switch pitch is like having 3 or 4 gears Shifted out of 2nd at 60 with WOT" , but put a shift kit in a good th350 and you will enjoy it too.

BangScreech4-4-2

I was curious about that myself. Hyperspace Drive?

lemoldsnut

The Jetaway is actually a very durable transmission. It is nice to have more gears. But as already pointed out they do work great when set up and driven as they do have the switch pitch feature and it does work well. They are easy to find from us Olds guys and are rather inexpensive. Heck even you have two now. I think I have 5 of them all road tested.
The three speed shift indicators are available now and then. I might have one would have to check. They only came in column shift cars with a Th400 in 67 and that meant a 442, a turnpike cruiser or a Vista Cruiser with the th400 trans. So, a rather rare part.
A th350 is a direct bolt in swap. The shift indicator and kick down cable are the only things that really need to be addressed, it is also a good trans. A turbo 400 is a upgrade and will require more changes like: driveline change, and the shift indicator, crossmember moves back, but the linkage works and the cooling lines and electric kick down works as long as your kick down switch is good.
But, if all you are going to do is cruise with the car on the nice days and really be just a fair weather driver and car show stuff the Jetaway will work great.

Hope this helps
Larry

Roger60

Ok so lets say I go with the th 350. What years and models will work? I assume the chevy trans is different.

oldcutlass

Any T350 with a BOP bolt pattern will work. Chevy will not without an adaptor plate.

joe_padavano

There are three different TH350 tailhousing lengths. Only the short-tail is a direct bolt-in for the Jetaway. Same mount, same crossmember location, same driveshaft. This is a very common upgrade. You just can't beat a 2.52 first gear instead of 1.76.

Fun71

Absolutely! That's the equivalent of changing a 2.73 rear gear for a 3.90.

Roger60

Yeah,I think I'm sold on the 350. I think the biggest hurdle might be finding someone that could rebuild a Jetaway to specs. I'll bet your average tranny guy down the street might not have a clue. Only guy I can think of is in Calif., Manny T. who builds out switch pitch trannies for the GMC Motorhome (Turbo 425). Not building a hotrod, but the extra scoot could not hurt being I'm using the higher hp engine. I can find or fabricate something to give me a shift indicator. Hell, when I went to a GPS Speedo in my motorhome, I eliminated it completely. Not that hard to know where the gears are after some time. Thanks to everyone for their input, and if anyone near NE Florida area knows of a good one, let me know.

BlackGold

It shifted from 2nd into 3rd, of course. The Jetaway has two gears, 2nd and 3rd. But I think you already knew that ....

joe_padavano

Actually, that's true!

Octania

Wow you guys are really fracturing my cajones here over a typo snafu

of course I meant out of FIRST

But, let's run with JP's explanation. That way I don't sound quite so stupid.

lemoldsnut

BOP to clarify means: (Buick, Olds, Pontiac) Chevy is the odd ball on bellhousing bolt pattern. The other thing to be aware of is that in the late 70's and early 80's they also used a lock up converter. Best just find a standard th350 from a 68-77 or so car. There are many out there. If you get desperate for one I have a few here but you should be able to find a few closer to you.

Octania

Cadillac too matches the BOP pattern.

widens the donor pool a bit.

BangScreech4-4-2

I was buying it. In fact, I felt dumb for not having thought of it myself.

lemoldsnut

Octania, What Cadillac came with a th350?

BangScreech4-4-2

At a guess, mid-70s Sevilles?

lemoldsnut

Nope they had a unique 350 Olds fuel injected engine and a th400 trans. I really like those cars.