Transmission / Overdrive: 700R4 transmission swap to 64 Stude

[ndynis]

Any one have some advice how I could go about putting a 700R4 behind my 259 in my 1964 Wagonaire? I use the car as a daily driver, including long trips, and would like to make highway speeds a little easier and cheaper. Thanks for any help!

[41 Frank]

While doing what you are contemplating is a great way to get better fuel mileage it will take years to recoup the cost of the conversion. I can supply you with the transmission adapter kit but there are several other obstacles to overcome.

1 There needs to be way to hook a TV cable to your carburator, may be a problem if you have a 2 barrel, no kit available.
2 Crossmember will need to be modified for transmission mount
3 Driveshaft will need to be modified.
4 A kit will need to be purchased to control converter lockup
5 The 700 R-4 has additional gear selector detents over the original Flightomatic which will need to be dealt with on your column shift unless you use a floorshift.

These are some of the issues you will face doing the conversion. As far as projected costs,a rebuilt trans can cost $1500.00, adapter kit (mine is $300.00), driveshaft mods, if you need longer one made, as much as $200.00. TV cable adjustable hookup $125.00. These are just some of the expenses you will face. Since I have no way of knowing your fabrication skills if you have to farm it all out you can easily spent $3000.00. So as you can see it can be expensive, but worthwhile from a standpoint of fuel savings and being easier on your engine. It would be more cost effective if your current transmission was bad. Hope this helps you some in your decision.

[BobWaitz]

Way to sell the adapter, Frank ;-)

I got one of Frank's kits for my project and I couldn't be happier -- granted I was swapping rear ends and putting a modern 2-bbl on it so I had the TV cable hookup covered and I was already doing a driveshaft modification. My rebuilt transmission was more like $900. It really does make a huge difference in freeway driving. My favorite part of it is the use of a F*rd shorty starter that can be purchased at any auto parts store anywhere, anytime.

[PackardV8]

X2 with what Frank says. It costs $2500+ to do a 700R4 swap correctly and reliably. Anything less is taking a chance on junkyard parts. Might work might not. Your results may vary.

Bottom line - definitely yes, BTDTCT an overdrive automatic will make highway speeds much easier, quieter and improve fuel economy. However, it's unlikely you or the Stude will last long enough to pay for the swap through fuel savings.

jack vines

[gs-xnr]

Frank,
Are the obstacles the same with a 200R? I'm considering a 200R for my Avanti. Thanks! Harvey

While doing what you are contemplating is a great way to get better fuel mileage it will take years to recoup the cost of the conversion. I can supply you with the transmission adapter kit but there are several other obstacles to overcome.

1 There needs to be way to hook a TV cable to your carburator, may be a problem if you have a 2 barrel, no kit available.
2 Crossmember will need to be modified for transmission mount
3 Driveshaft will need to be modified.
4 A kit will need to be purchased to control converter lockup
5 The 700 R-4 has additional gear selector detents over the original Flightomatic which will need to be dealt with on your column shift unless you use a floorshift.

These are some of the issues you will face doing the conversion. As far as projected costs,a rebuilt trans can cost $1500.00, adapter kit (mine is $300.00), driveshaft mods, if you need longer one made, as much as $200.00. TV cable adjustable hookup $125.00. These are just some of the expenses you will face. Since I have no way of knowing your fabrication skills if you have to farm it all out you can easily spent $3000.00. So as you can see it can be expensive, but worthwhile from a standpoint of fuel savings and being easier on your engine. It would be more cost effective if your current transmission was bad. Hope this helps you some in your decision.

[PackardV8]

Pretty much the same. The 200-4R is physically smaller, so it won't be necessary to trim the corner of the passenger's footwell as is required with a 700R4. BTDT.

jack vine

[41 Frank]

Yes they are basically. I personally use the 200 4-R behind my R-2 equipped 41 Champion. Using a 200 4-R can be a little easier to deal with in some instances as it is physically a little smaller. The 700 R-4 has a large pan that is offset to the right so in some applications it could cause interference under the vehicle. I have no personal experience with the 700 R-4 fit in an Avanti but someone that frequents this Forum will have. The 200 4R has better gear spacing meaning it has a higher geared first gear therefore it has less of an RPM drop shifting to second. This last item would not be of any importance to some.

Frank,
Are the obstacles the same with a 200R? I'm considering a 200R for my Avanti. Thanks! Harvey

[plwindish]

Harvey, The 200 R4 is an easier swap than the 700 R4. I had the Turbo-hydromatic 400 swapped out of my 76 Avanti last year for a rebuilt 200 -R4. A rear transmission crossmember had to be made for the 200 R4. I have a SBC 400 motor so the smaller spline universal had to be swapped in for the original larger splined unit. The drive shaft did not have to be altered. The shift indicator plate and shift linkage is available from Dan Booth at Nostalgic Motors to make it look factory. The TV cable hook-up is the tricky part. I had a trans shop rebuild a 200 R4 for me and do the install. The gear ratios are better in the 200 R4 than in the 700 R4, as well as being a little more narrow than the 700 trans. My swap was to a SBC motor, going to a Stude will require at least a trans adaptor. I don't know what else is needed to mate up the torque convertor. Good luck with it. The drop in rpm's in the overdrive gear is very significant. My 76 with a 3:31 rear end went from 3000 rpm's @ 70 mph to 2000 rpm's @ 70 mph. I have gotten 21.5 mpg with it when I keep my speed down around 65 instead of 75 for highway travel.

[Mike Van Veghten]

As has been said by many previously...
If you don't have a trans. yet, I second the recomenadation for using the 200-4R.
Better gear ratios, smaller and lighter, all make it a better choise thAn the 700.

I have three Studes, all have T-200-4R's in them (or going in them !)

Mike

[wittsend]

I've posted this a few times. So, this time I'll just post the link.
http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.c...457#post682457

Its a pretty descriptive of installing a 700R4 in my '64 Daytona. You may find some other of my posts on the subject with pictures under "wittsend." Note that though my car is a '64 it has the Chevy engine. Regardless virtually everything still pertains.

Tom

[gs-xnr]

Okay, so I understand everything except "TV" cable? What is TV short for? Frank, is your adapter kit the same for 200? Thanks again.

[41 Frank]

The TV cable is the cable that controls the transmission pressures at given trottle positions and hence controls shifting. It is the heart of the control system so to speak. My adapter will work on any Chevrolet automatics that were used behind the Chevy small block, this includes the 200 series of transmissions.

Okay, so I understand everything except "TV" cable? What is TV short for? Frank, is your adapter kit the same for 200? Thanks again.

[junior]

FWIW, pay attention to the TV cable adjustment....follow all instructions...failure to do so can easily wipeout a perfectly good transmission. TV cables are far more important than the old-school style of mechanical kick-down cable...just letting you know this beacause you were not aware of what a TV cable was. Regards, Junior.

[ndynis]

WOW!! Many thanks to all who responded. Sure gives me plenty of food for thought. I'm not worried about paying for the swap with improved gas mileage but more with just making it easier for the Stude engine at highway speeds and maybe getting a few more miles out of it that way. The last trip was 1,400 miles and while it does just fine even at 70 & 75, I would sure like to bring those RPMs down. I'll sure give the 200-R4 some thought. I'm glad to hear that Frank's adapter will work with the 200 as well.

Thanks again to all who were kind enough to take the time to help me out!
Nick

[Mike Van Veghten]

One more...
See the post I put up the other day about buying an Art Carr 200-4R.

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?66451-For-anyone-considering-a-GM-transmission

Mike