Ever on the learning curve, I was looking at a couple of the transmissions on my shop floor the other night and realized they weren't all the same. Now the TH400 I already knew was different, but the three TH350's I had no reason to believe differed - they had all been bolted up to Olds engines.

The one I pulled from the '72 and destined for my '70 was different, and today I learned that's because it's a dual pattern for bolting to both Chev and BOP engines.

I don't know much about it's history due to the frankenstein nature of the '72 carrying a bunch of '71 parts, but I do know that it runs great, has a shift kit and is going into my '70.

Would this have been a factory installed transmission in '71 or '72? Anything odd I should be aware of?

 

My understanding the dual pattern TH350 is rare. Non lock up?

 

There were some dual pattern TH350' s made. Also there were some dual pattern two speed Jetaways made. They were put in F85's with GM six cylinders because the sixes were Chevy 250 cu. in.

 

Dual pattern TH350s were common in the early 1980s when GM played mix and match with engines and car lines. Most (if not all) of these were the TH350C with lock up converters. What's the date on the trans tag or VIN derivative stamp on these transmissions?

 

I'll have to check tonight...where are the numbers normally found?


Is the lockup transmission a better choice for a street driven car with a basically stock 350?

 

If you have slightly deep gearing, the 300 rpm drop with the lock up converter is nice. Be aware most of the short tail lock up trans I have seen were TH250C which are weaker and identified by a band adjustment stud near the cooler lines.