I have a 69 cutlass S convertible 350. I'm a car novice, but I've learned alot over the year I've had this car. Now I'm at a crossroads.

The car runs fine, it needs work, so do I keep putting money into it or do I buy one a little more complete?

I ask b/c after thinking my tranny wasn't shifting to 3rd gear, today I found out it never will b/c it's a 2spd. I was told I should consider getting a new tranny, even though I paid $600 to get the one I have overhauled, and there's nothing wrong with it. On the highway though, it just runs at too high of an RPM.

I want a cruiser, but I want it to have some kick too.

Anyone have any advice?

Also, anyone know what rear end gear I might have in it? I know it's a 12 bolt, that's about it, is it a 3.08? If I decide to upgrade it, should I upgrade to a 3.55 or a 3.73? Remember I want a cruiser with kick.

 

a 3 speed (th350 or 400) will run the same rpm on the highway. your second gear and the other two transmissions third gear is all 1 to 1. direct drive. if you are not worried about being original i would go with the TH350 and a 3.42 posi.

 

If you just spent $600 on it and it works well, why go thru the aggravation unless you change it to a 200-4R to get overdrive?

I have to stop and remember that most people under 40 have never seen or driven a 2-speed automatic transmission. Think the last one was around 1973 in Chevy Novas. 1969 was the last Olds to use it and even then only in A-body and 350-2bbl Deltas.

 

Installing a TH350 will make a big difference in the off the line performance, due to the much lower first gear ratio (TH350 is 2.52 to 1, the Jetaway is 1.82 to 1). The highway cruise speed will be the same.

 

Originality isn't too big of a concern. If I got a new trans, I'd probably save the old one for just incase I sold it. But that's my conundrum. If I keep putting $ into this, I'm not going to sell it, and the payoff will be more gratifying down the road. Or, I can get one that's more complete, and needs fewer things. If I got a new tranny, I think I would have to keep the car and see it through.

Just out of curiousity, how much does a TH350 run? Should I get a brand new one or are there good used ones out there?

 

i have seen good used th350 go for as low as $100 but you don't really know what you are getting. i have one i would sell for $100 that works but know nothing about it other than it shifts and is in a car. i am sure you could find a used one in your area for around that amount.

 

If you are going to get a new transmission get a 200 4R instead of a TH 350; otherwise, just stick with your 2 speed (especially since you rebuilt it recently).

 

I found a TH 350 on craigslist for $150. It's off a 78 TA. He says it's ready to bolt on and go.

Also, My mechanic said he'll rebuild a TH 350 for me and install it and everything for $500 out the door

Here's the link TA Tranny...Tell me what you think please

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/pts/1930646426.html

 

I would not replace a good transmission without a great reason and I had a good grasp on future upgrades or use.
Also, don't be too quick to purchase an unknown tranny. They all say it worked great when it was pulled!

 

X2 on not getting one till you know for sure what you are going to do with the car.

 

I wouldn't spend your money on another tranny if you have already gotten yours redone. Plus the 350 isn't much of a difference unless you're wanting that lower first gear for taking off faster. If you're looking for something to lower the rpm you'd either want to go with a 200 R4 or a 700 r4 with an adaptor to bolt it up to the oldsmobile. Those jetaway trans are great for the torque these engines produce and are harder to find now of days. I have spoken with tranny shops and they all tell me the same either keep what you have or go to an overdrive trans.

 

we've all heard those famous words

 

Only you can decide if a trans upgrade is what you want. Your Jetaway was recently rebuilt, so I assume it's working fine. The TH350 will definitely give you better acceleration off the line, due to the steeper first gear, but since both transmissions have the same top gear, highway mileage will be unchanged. I'll also suggest that if you really do want a different trans, get a 200-4R four speed AT with overdrive. The 200-4R has both the steeper first gear for better off the line acceleration and an overdrive fourth gear for improved gas mileage. It also has a lockup torque converter that helps with mileage. The swap is not quite a bolt-in, but close. The biggest problem will be hooking up the throttle valve cable and installing a converter lockup system. Neither is particularly difficult but are unique to that trans. Of course, if you're happy with how the car runs now, leave the trans alone until it starts giving you problems, then swap it.

 

depends on what condition your car is in ,if you want to know if you should keep putting money into it-we haven't seen it! As far as your 2 speed,it is a fine transmission,they still use them at the drags.i love mine in my 65 442,I can really wind it up between lights in first,sounds good when you let off.In high,it will cruise the highway all day.try the tach idea,you may be surprised at how high you aren't revving! ---bil

 

Blue Belle just loves her Jetaway 2-speed!

Even in these hills, she does all I want her to do. The Jetaway is on the back end of a standard 330 cu. in. 2-barrel and climbs just fine. Might not do too good up Pike's Peak, but is good around here. Sure I'd love a 4-speed, but I'm not interested in that mod.

Back in the day, this was one of the favored transmissions at the dragways.

Unless you're going to make a Super Modified Automatic, keep the Jetaway!

A Sage has Spoken....

--Don

 

Does a the rally pack have a good tac? Is it compatible with a 69? (isn't for cars 71 and later...i don't know)

I kind of want to keep it looking stock. Are those things expensive?

What if I just pop out the useless clock an put one in it's place? Has anyone done that?

 

Here's my car pre manifold/carb change out. Not bad for only $6500! I should get a vanity plate "$$$ PIT"

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhett838/with/4692999672/

 

looks very nice

 

Holy Cow! A 68-69 olds rally pack is between $400 and $500??!!!! I can justify spending $500 for a tranny (the kind that goes in your car), but not for gauges!

 

You want to change the rear gear to have some "kick" but you also want low freeway rpm's without switching to an overdrive trans?
How about a set of 96" wheels and tires.

Get a test tach and hook it up then duct tape it to the windshield, use JB Weld if you want it there permanently.

 

the 2 speed are good you can wine them out 60 in 1st slam in 2 you will go thay use them at the track like they said if you dont have the money keep it use the money on other things for your car

 

No one uses an ST300 (aka, Jetaway) at the track. You are confusing this trans with a Powerglide. More importantly, the use of a two speed trans at the drag strip is due to the elimination of one gear change - the small delay during shifting can slow a car in the quarter, ASSUMING the engine is properly built to rev as needed to use the two speed trans. It also assumes the selection of the right rear axle ratio to match the trans gearing and engine power band.

More to the point, on a street driven car, more gears are always better for driveability than fewer. There's a reason why new cars use six, seven, and eight gear automatics now.

 

i say keep the rebuilt trans if its working correctly, if you wanna switch go all the way, muncie!

 

my lemans with 256 gears would run 95 mph in first was a slug off the line
but at 55 to 60 it would surprise the mustang guys when I could hold tight to them or pull them on the freeway. I Did the th 350 swap and the off the line pull is nice but with the one wheel peel I tend to just loop out . was it worth?
Ask me when I put a posi and 3:08 in it this winter.

 

Personally, I'd go with the 200r4 - quite a difference! Then keep it for bil, as if he keeps 'backing off' in low, he'll be blowing the front pump on his!!!

A seized fan can cost 20 H.P. and 3-4 MPG, and will make a 4-speed car sound like a garbage truck coming down the street!!

And I believe there's an aftermarket tac that'll fit directly in that center pod, usually unused!

 

ST300 is Super Turbine 300 or also known as a "switch pitch". There should be a second terminal where the kickdown wire connects to the trans. If you hook power to it(via toggle switch) , it will increase the stall speed of the convertor(while powered). I have had 2 ST400's and it was real fun to play with the pitch. Increasing the stall will give you better takeoff. Hopefully the rebuilder didn't cut the wire inside as was done to my first ST400.

 

Not all ST300 transmissions used the dual stall speed torque converter, thought I'm pretty sure all ST300s installed in Oldsmobiles did.

 

Buick and Olds used switch pitch in their ST300/Jetaways from 64-67. After that ST300's in BOP'S had fixed pitch converters.

 

Were the ST400 the same way or were they switch the entire production?

 

Turbo-350 production started in 1969, I thought all st-300's were done for by then.
Are you sure that it is a 300ST, or did you just lose 3rd gear on a turbo 350?
Just a thought,
Can you give us a pic of the trans pan?
The dog as your avatar is cute, so why can't I stand to look at it anymore?
Jim

 

The ST300 was available in the 1969 model year, and d2_willys is correct, the 68-69 ST300s were fixed stall speed. Sorry for the misinformation.

 

Ok, Joe.
When in 69 did they go to the T-350? I've had a 69 with the factory T-350 in it, I just thought they started these with the beginning of the 69 production.
Real curious now.
Jim

BTW, just kidding you about the pup.

 

St300, TH350, and TH400 were all offered at the same time in the 1969 model year.