89 caprice trans swap question

I have a 1989 caprice with a 305 and a th2004r transmission that has about had it. Shifts horribly, shudders between 1st and 2nd gear. Pulled the pan and had a whole handful of metal shavings.

I was laid off work about 3 months ago and have a pregnant wife so really don't have any money to fix it or get a used/rebuilt unit. My brother has a th350 sitting in his garage that worked perfectly when it was pulled about 3 months ago and he said I could have it if I wanted it. I don't know if it is a short shaft or long shaft.

I have heard that you may have to move the crossmember to make it fit, but is otherwise a pretty direct swap. If it would work, I would drive it until I had the money for a new th2004r but like I said I really have no spare income.

Any suggestions?

with your current economic situation I would get a newer smaller fuel effecient vehicle ....something that is in your price range..

repairing this to work will cost you...then the results are unknown..

1989 is a very old vehicle to use as a daily driver without continual costs, and a large fuel demand..

The TH200-4R is a very rebuildable trans. A set of clutches, seals, bushings, and rings would be under $200.00. If you have the facilities to remove and replace the trans, all you would need is a place to tear down and rebuild the removed trans.

For exchanging the two, you'll have to deal with the driveshaft length difference and rear mount location.

with your current economic situation I would get a newer smaller fuel effecient vehicle ....something that is in your price range..

repairing this to work will cost you...then the results are unknown..

1989 is a very old vehicle to use as a daily driver without continual costs, and a large fuel demand..

Of course, this depends on several factors. It is eminently less expensive to swap a transmission on a car than it is to 'get a more economical vehicle'.

To the OP - you can use it but you will definitely have to move the crossmember forward - the mount position on the TH2004R is the same as that for a TH400. When you do come around financially, you're better off with a TH700R4 than the TH2004R.

Of course, this depends on several factors. It is eminently less expensive to swap a transmission on a car than it is to 'get a more economical vehicle'.

To the OP - you can use it but you will definitely have to move the crossmember forward - the mount position on the TH2004R is the same as that for a TH400. When you do come around financially, you're better off with a TH700R4 than the TH2004R.

swaping the same type transmission with a scrap yard transmission is the cheapest way to go....modifiy this for the 350 transmission is costly and can be more trouble than its worth..

it is true that the rebuild parts for the 2004 are cheap...did one over 10years ago...

still keeping this vehicle will cost more in the long run..

with your current economic situation I would get a newer smaller fuel effecient vehicle ....something that is in your price range..

repairing this to work will cost you...then the results are unknown..

1989 is a very old vehicle to use as a daily driver without continual costs, and a large fuel demand..

With my current economic situation a more fuel efficient vehicle is out of my price range. Could i find a reliable car that is paid for free and clear for what it would cost me to fix my Caprice? Absolutely not. So if you factored In a car payment and the cost of full coverage insurance vs. an extra 20-30 dollars a week in gas, I believe a trans swap is the way to go.

I have too much into this car to just put it out to pasture. It has 35000 miles on a crate motor plus new tie rod ends, bushings, etc. Handles like it was built yesterday and is in great shape. Plus I am VERY attached to it.

thanks for the advice. I've called around to some local scrap yards and located a used tranny with 82000 miles on it for $185. Looks like I'll go that way.

silicon212, what would be involved in a TH700r4 swap?

With my current economic situation a more fuel efficient vehicle is out of my price range. Could i find a reliable car that is paid for free and clear for what it would cost me to fix my Caprice? Absolutely not. So if you factored In a car payment and the cost of full coverage insurance vs. an extra 20-30 dollars a week in gas, I believe a trans swap is the way to go.

I have too much into this car to just put it out to pasture. It has 35000 miles on a crate motor plus new tie rod ends, bushings, etc. Handles like it was built yesterday and is in great shape. Plus I am VERY attached to it.

thanks for the advice. I've called around to some local scrap yards and located a used tranny with 82000 miles on it for $185. Looks like I'll go that way.

silicon212, what would be involved in a TH700r4 swap?

Just a crossmember and a driveshaft. The driveshaft for the TH700R4 needs to be approx. 1" shorter as the trans is that much longer. Crossmember because the TH2004R won't work - UNLESS you got a TH700R4 trans that also has the mount on the tailshaft housing.

You can re-use the TV cable, just make sure you adjust it! The electrical connection for the TCC is the same on both.