Slim Jim transmission

[Guest]

Hello Olds fans,<BR>I have a bad transmission in my 1962 Starfire and would like to put in a newer model trans but would like to know if the 394ci in it uses the BOP bellhousing bolt pattern. <BR>Any ideas about what would be a good choice for a trans that would fit and handle all that power would be a bonus.<BR>Thank you all,<BR>Mike

[rocketraider]

Yowsah! we visited this unsuccessfully a few weeks ago . A Turbo HydraMatic will not bolt directly to a 394 or earlier Olds engine. 394s have a shroud that covers the fluid coupling, then a metal plate bolts to the block, then the SlimJim bolts to the plate. THM have a shroud over the torque converter that bolts to the block. <P>There are companies who will cut down the case of a THM in the torque converter area and modify it so it will bolt to the 394 trans mounting plate. I have no idea of cost, but I'm getting about desperate enough with my 64 Starfire to try it.<P>Pontiac had the right idea. They used a bellhousing to mate the SlimJim to their engines, and that bellhousing just happens to have the later B-O-P-Cad THM bolt pattern. I know of several early 60s Pontiacs with THM 400s and 200-4Rs in place of the cantankerous old SlimJims. Bears witness that the things were only used 4 years. Cadillac wouldn't use them at all, and Pontiac only used them in Catalina and Grand Prix (?? they were usually the Pontiac hotrods though ), but stubborn Olds used them in everything.<P>Of course, 30 years ago, every transmissoin shop could repair them.

[Guest]

dave smith engineerig does the machine work.1 559 562 3500.its not cheap nor is rebuilding a slim jim to justify the cost use a 700r4 the overdrive will save gas and engine wear