3spd manual to 700r4 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bluex · 02-02-2005, 10:48 AM

Hey guys, my stepdad has a 66 gmc with the column shifted 3 spd manual in it. He is looking to put a 700R4 in it so it is easier for my mom to drive. She has had back surgury and the clutch is too stif for her. He also wants to get some better miliage out of it. I switched my '78 from a TH350 to the 700, so I'm just looking to see if there are any real problems with the swap frame/or crossmember wise.

Thanks
Paul

60-66 Nut · 02-02-2005, 05:43 PM

Hi Paul. First off, you'll need the automatic flywheel which you probably already know. I don't know what engine you have, but if it's a Chevy 230 or 250 six or any small block except the SB400, all you need is a regular old 168 tooth internal balance flywheel(no big weights on the flywheel). The 292 six and the SB400 each take special flywheels. You'll also need the starter that bolts to the block instead of the bellhousing. The '66 has a crossmember under the bell housing, so you may have to trim it or cut it out. A rear transmission crossmember from a 63-72 automatic truck or any 73-87 1/2 ton should work, just drill the holes where you need them. The driveshaft will most likely need to be shortened and I think the yoke splines are different too. Hope that helps.

60-66 Nut

bluex · 02-05-2005, 01:05 PM

I thought I mentioned the engine, its a 350 we swapped out of a '79 C10. It had a I6 in it before, not sure if it was a 230 or a 250. I figured he would need a new starter b/c we used the I6 one on it.

The crossmember under the bellhousing is that a manual truck only thing? I have a TH350 just sitting in the shop, but he is hung up on the 700. He hasnt made up his mind yet so who knows.

Thanks for the help
Paul

60-66 Nut · 02-07-2005, 10:17 AM

Yes, I believe the crossmember under the bell housing was pretty much a standard trans only thing. I think the old cast iron powerglide might have been mounted like the standard too, but the last year for it was 60 or 61.

60-66 Nut

bpmcgee · 02-07-2005, 11:50 AM

Bluex,

Don't expect to get better mileage from the TH350. Manuals with the same gearing usually get better mileage than their automatic brothers. The 700R4, though, has an overdrive and so you SHOULD see an improvement.

Brian

bluex · 02-09-2005, 04:39 PM

Ya I told him that about the TH350. It was a cheaper option as the only parts I dont have would be the flexplate, and starter. Then all he would have to do is shorten the DS. I think he is changing his mind, my '78 is only knocking down a constant 12 mpg even with the 700R4. But I'm not exactly easy on it either, nor was it built with miliage in mind.

His would probably be a little better, its basically a stock motor with an edel performer intake, headers, and a holley 600.

rmoorhead · 02-11-2005, 11:59 AM

What will you do with the manual set up? Might be interested in linkage,colum and transmission. My '62 has the hydro set up,and I dont want an automatic trans just yet. I would like power brakes and power steering soon. pm me with some pictures if you can.

Woogeroo · 02-12-2005, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluex

His would probably be a little better, its basically a stock motor with an edel performer intake, headers, and a holley 600.

hey! gimme back my engine!

---

Engine: 5.7 L Chevrolet - truck / 1992 / 350cid / 210 hp / manual trans / RPO# L-05 / TBI(throttle body injection) vin K(Canada assembly plant)

Transmission: On the column shift, 3 speed automatic transmission. I think it is a TH350 - judging from the shape of the pan.

Carburetor: Holley - Model 4160 - single pumper 600cfm.

Intake: Edelbrock Standard Performer - Dual Plane

---

heh.

it was in there when I bought it... funny tho'.

-W

bluex · 02-15-2005, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmoorhead

What will you do with the manual set up? Might be interested in linkage,colum and transmission. My '62 has the hydro set up,and I dont want an automatic trans just yet. I would like power brakes and power steering soon. pm me with some pictures if you can.

I'm not too sure. If I can pry my digi cam away from my wife I will get a few pics of it. I'm wanting to ask you guys aobout the interior also. It has weird gagues that I've not seen in any other truck at a show or in the salvage yard either. I'm sure he will sell it if he ever gets around to doing the swap. He will probably want to keep the column, but I'm trying to talk him into a later model one so we wont have to put a floor shifter in it.

rmoorhead · 02-17-2005, 09:57 AM

One of the biggest regrets I have with these trucks is the conversion to floor shift. I havent had much luck rebuilding the shifting mechanism and resort to cuttng the floor board. The fumes come straight in the cab,the wife raises hell cause I come in the house smelling like a gas can thats been out in the sun. I have some blazers I need to scrap I will send you some pics of the colums. I have yet to see a lady that wouldnt like a tilt steering wheel over a stiff one!

Straycat · 02-17-2005, 08:49 PM

I just found this website and came across your thread and thought I would add my 2 cents. I just swapped out a 4-spd std floor shift out of my '64 C10 for a 700R4. I did not remove the cross-member that the std tranny was mounted on and do not have any clearance problems. I did move the cross-member that the emergency brake linkage brackets sits on back about 1-1/4 inch, drilled a hole through it and mounted the 700R4 to it. Before this, I did remove the brake brackets from the top of the c/member, welded some plates on the bottom of the cross-member and relocated the brackets on the bottom

apachetrucks · 02-17-2005, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Straycat

I just found this website and came across your thread and thought I would add my 2 cents. I just swapped out a 4-spd std floor shift out of my '64 C10 for a 700R4. I did not remove the cross-member that the std tranny was mounted on and do not have any clearance problems. I did move the cross-member that the emergency brake linkage brackets sits on back about 1-1/4 inch, drilled a hole through it and mounted the 700R4 to it. Before this, I did remove the brake brackets from the top of the c/member, welded some plates on the bottom of the cross-member and relocated the brackets on the bottom

Hey Straycat,what did you do to your steering column. Sounds like you made a fairly easy swap.Did you have to shorten the drive shaft?

02-02-2005, 10:48 AM	#1
bluex Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 1,963	3spd manual to 700r4 Hey guys, my stepdad has a 66 gmc with the column shifted 3 spd manual in it. He is looking to put a 700R4 in it so it is easier for my mom to drive. She has had back surgury and the clutch is too stif for her. He also wants to get some better miliage out of it. I switched my '78 from a TH350 to the 700, so I'm just looking to see if there are any real problems with the swap frame/or crossmember wise. Thanks Paul __________________ Paul '78 GMC Serria 15 Heavy Half. 361/NV3500/3.73. Former LWB NV3500 swap Trailing arm swap '98 ECSB Z71 daily driver -traded '03 burb. Family cruiser http://upstategmtrucks.com/

02-02-2005, 05:43 PM	#2
60-66 Nut Professional Beer Tester Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 453	Hi Paul. First off, you'll need the automatic flywheel which you probably already know. I don't know what engine you have, but if it's a Chevy 230 or 250 six or any small block except the SB400, all you need is a regular old 168 tooth internal balance flywheel(no big weights on the flywheel). The 292 six and the SB400 each take special flywheels. You'll also need the starter that bolts to the block instead of the bellhousing. The '66 has a crossmember under the bell housing, so you may have to trim it or cut it out. A rear transmission crossmember from a 63-72 automatic truck or any 73-87 1/2 ton should work, just drill the holes where you need them. The driveshaft will most likely need to be shortened and I think the yoke splines are different too. Hope that helps. 60-66 Nut __________________ 60 Ford F100 Custom Cab 61 Apache Short Fleetside 64 C10 Short Stepside 65 C80 409 V8 5spd(X-Firetruck) 83 GMC 350 Olds Diesel 85 GMC Short Bed 86 GMC Short Bed 90 GMC R3500 Crew Cab 92 GMC 1500

02-05-2005, 01:05 PM	#3
bluex Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 1,963	I thought I mentioned the engine, its a 350 we swapped out of a '79 C10. It had a I6 in it before, not sure if it was a 230 or a 250. I figured he would need a new starter b/c we used the I6 one on it. The crossmember under the bellhousing is that a manual truck only thing? I have a TH350 just sitting in the shop, but he is hung up on the 700. He hasnt made up his mind yet so who knows. Thanks for the help Paul __________________ Paul '78 GMC Serria 15 Heavy Half. 361/NV3500/3.73. Former LWB NV3500 swap Trailing arm swap '98 ECSB Z71 daily driver -traded '03 burb. Family cruiser http://upstategmtrucks.com/

02-07-2005, 10:17 AM	#4
60-66 Nut Professional Beer Tester Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 453	Yes, I believe the crossmember under the bell housing was pretty much a standard trans only thing. I think the old cast iron powerglide might have been mounted like the standard too, but the last year for it was 60 or 61. 60-66 Nut __________________ 60 Ford F100 Custom Cab 61 Apache Short Fleetside 64 C10 Short Stepside 65 C80 409 V8 5spd(X-Firetruck) 83 GMC 350 Olds Diesel 85 GMC Short Bed 86 GMC Short Bed 90 GMC R3500 Crew Cab 92 GMC 1500

02-09-2005, 04:39 PM	#6
bluex Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 1,963	Ya I told him that about the TH350. It was a cheaper option as the only parts I dont have would be the flexplate, and starter. Then all he would have to do is shorten the DS. I think he is changing his mind, my '78 is only knocking down a constant 12 mpg even with the 700R4. But I'm not exactly easy on it either, nor was it built with miliage in mind. His would probably be a little better, its basically a stock motor with an edel performer intake, headers, and a holley 600. __________________ Paul '78 GMC Serria 15 Heavy Half. 361/NV3500/3.73. Former LWB NV3500 swap Trailing arm swap '98 ECSB Z71 daily driver -traded '03 burb. Family cruiser http://upstategmtrucks.com/

02-07-2005, 11:50 AM	#5
bpmcgee Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 2,181	Bluex, Don't expect to get better mileage from the TH350. Manuals with the same gearing usually get better mileage than their automatic brothers. The 700R4, though, has an overdrive and so you SHOULD see an improvement. Brian

02-11-2005, 11:59 AM	#7
rmoorhead Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Salisbury Posts: 40	What will you do with the manual set up? Might be interested in linkage,colum and transmission. My '62 has the hydro set up,and I dont want an automatic trans just yet. I would like power brakes and power steering soon. pm me with some pictures if you can.

02-17-2005, 09:57 AM	#10
rmoorhead Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Salisbury Posts: 40	colum One of the biggest regrets I have with these trucks is the conversion to floor shift. I havent had much luck rebuilding the shifting mechanism and resort to cuttng the floor board. The fumes come straight in the cab,the wife raises hell cause I come in the house smelling like a gas can thats been out in the sun. I have some blazers I need to scrap I will send you some pics of the colums. I have yet to see a lady that wouldnt like a tilt steering wheel over a stiff one!

02-17-2005, 08:49 PM	#11
Straycat Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1	I just found this website and came across your thread and thought I would add my 2 cents. I just swapped out a 4-spd std floor shift out of my '64 C10 for a 700R4. I did not remove the cross-member that the std tranny was mounted on and do not have any clearance problems. I did move the cross-member that the emergency brake linkage brackets sits on back about 1-1/4 inch, drilled a hole through it and mounted the 700R4 to it. Before this, I did remove the brake brackets from the top of the c/member, welded some plates on the bottom of the cross-member and relocated the brackets on the bottom



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