I have a 1971 cutlass convertible with 350 rocket. The tranny is stamped 1992 which leads me to believe someone replaced the original. This tranny needs rebuilding so I thought i should consider going back to a 1971 tranny. Any thoughts on this and where I might find one? The engine is original, would a 71 tranny then make it "numbers matching"?(I dont know what that designation means?)Thanks, additinal info I dont understand: number on top bellhousing: 2C, also, left side near pan 8640841CFD, right side near accumulator 49-7, finally on left side 22-1-79...any clue what this is? Thanks again

 

Hi Spherion,
Look on the passenger side of the tranny. There should be a little tag riveted on the tranny with a 2 letter code. Stamped in to that tag will be a series of numbers that will help us figure this out. There should also be a VIN derivative stamped into a pad on the case near where the tag is, but it is hard to find.
1992 might be a rebuilders stamp? Depends on where it is I guess.
To be numbers matching, the VIN derivative stamped into the pad I mentioned above will have to match the VIN of your car.
Get back to us with the tag and we can help more. Others will probably chime in who know more than me.
Eric

 

To elaborate on the last post, the engine and trans would have had a factory VIN-derivative stamp. This is a nine character stamp. The first character should match the first character of the VIN and the last eight of the VIN derivative should match the last eight of the VIN. Anything else is NOT numbers matching, despite what some sellers will try to tell you.

 

if you are still interested in a transmission, i have a th400 that is just sitting in my shop waiting on someone to buy it. it needs to be rebuilt and it came out of a 1971 98. I pulled the 455 (which I am putting into my 71 cutlass) and the transmission to use, but i chose to use the TH350 that is already in the cutlass. Let me know if you are interested. 100 bucks is all I am asking for it.

 

Thanks guys for the insight, I have a lot to learn but this forum makes it easy and fun, Thanks.