I Need an overdrive transmission. HELP!!

[AMC360Concord]

no longer applicable

[TheSilentChamber]

I'v seen adapter kits that let you bolt up popular GM trannys to the 360 but I cant think of any of the sites that sell them. They are also pricey, at about 400 bucks.

[AMC360Concord]

The GM Overdrives, like the 700R4, use an electronic lock up torque converter. I don't know what all is involoved with that kind of transfer.

But thanks for the idea.

Can anyone else help me with this, or give me another idea?
Thanx

[TEXAS-HOTROD]

I can maybe give you some ideas to think about (if I'm not too late), but no actual solutions.
I noticed that the o.d. trannys in the Ram trucks have a case that looks like the 727 but with an additional housing bolted to the back of the case. It looks like the engineers at Dodge used the old castings and added an o.d. unit to the back (pretty slick).
I would have to research the electronics, but if the transmission uses minimal e.c.m. inputs for shifting duties, a Dodge o.d. trans might be the way to go. If the o.d. is actuated by a single solenoid, maybe an on/off switch could be wired in.

I have rebuilt countless G.M. trannys (mostly 700R-4 o.d.) and w/the differences in bolt patterns, starter designs, Dodge using a ring gear on the torque converter, and Chevy having the starter drive off of the flywheel, it would be too much work to make a Chevy mate to a Dodge. I'm sure it could be done, but pretty costly.
Option #3: contact Gear Vendors and see if they make a direct/over drive unit for a 727. They run around $900+, but are pretty much a bolt-on (is there anything that is truely "bolt on"?).

Sure Grips have beefy internals. Those things are stronger than a Ford 9". I have a S.G. that has 3.25s in it. I wouldn't sell it either, those babies are hard to come by. I'm sure one of my projects will need it.

Hope you get it figured out.
---TEX---

[AMC360Concord]

This is the best info I have gotten so far, but it seems like this isnt going to be an easy project.

The Overdrive Automatics used in Dodge trucks is the A518 and A618. The use a similar pan, but the transmission itself is quite larger. Also it involves a lot of wiring for the overdrive gear. The torque converter needs to be a 'lock up' converter, this is normally not a big project as the e.c.u. controls this, but I have no trace of a computer in my vehicle.

There are various bellhousing adapters, especially for the 700r4, but that looks like even more work. There are too many differences. I have seen many wiring kits for installing a 700r4 in an old car, but I still havent got a sound, convicing responce yet from any of the dealers.

I haven't seen much information on putting an A518 in a non computer controlled car, but I assume it is out there somewhere.

Gear Vendors carries a unit which would easily hook up, but its around 2 thousand dollars YIKES http://www.gearvendors.com/hrdodge3s.html, however this one does look like the most effective way.

Thanks for your help TEXAS

[TEXAS-HOTROD]

Thanks, I try to give good info.

I have a friend that had the same problem. We planned on using parts of a Power Glide to build a direct/over drive unit.
All unneccessary internals of the P.G. would have been removed, the only parts needed were to make low and high gears engage. It would have needed a second shifter too.
The output shaft of the original trans would have been connected to the output shaft(w/the P.G. installed backwards) of the Power Glide. A heavier input shaft needed adapting (in the P.G.) to make use for the actual output shaft.
So, when tooling down the highway and over drive is needed, the P.G. would be shifted into low gear (sound confusing?). Since the P.G. was backwards and high gear is a direct 1:1 transfer, high gear would be direct and low gear would be over driven.
The P.G. could easily get it's hydraulic pressure from a power steering pump, or if the other trans had enough fluid volume, it could come from the line pressure feed. ---We think it could have worked, but he ended up selling the car.

This other dude wanted an additional 4speed tranny installed in his Jeep for rock crawling. He decided that all the work wasn't worth the hassle, so he gave up (QUITTER!!!!!!!).
AMC seemed to mix and match parts of different auto makers (mor like Allamerican Motor Company). Is it possible that there is a bell housing that will fit your engine w/a Ford tranny bolt pattern. Maybe a Mustang 5-speed could be made to work easier than any other auto/over drive.
If I had a 360 block, I could make something work for you. I don't, so I guess we're s.o.l. I adapted a Muncie to the back of a BMW V-12 a while back.
Nothing is ever easy. What ever you decide will take work to solve the problems. You might just want to find a happy medium and go w/a gear change.
Good luck,
---TEX---

[TheSilentChamber]

hey Texas-Hotrod, where do you live at?

[TEXAS-HOTROD]

Hey Chamber, you're the Gremlin X man, right? I had plans to get the Javelin but we got 12 inches of rain two days before. Have to let it dry out for a while.

I live just South of San Antonio. Where you at?

[albino2]

Try http://www.advanceadapters.com/ they will have what you need.

[carnuck]

You can go with an AW4 from a 2WD Jeep Cherokee with 4.0L, but you need to make some changes. Alternatively, a GM 4L80 with an AMC Scattershield conversion (you grind the Chev bell off and it bolts to the front pump of the trans) and manual valve body will take just about anything. I found one when I was searching for a Jeep trans to replace my TH400 for my upcoming tow truck M715.

[phil a]

did you ever get OD figured out?
as last resort,,, I have a 3 speed OD from the full sized
AMC for the 343 etc called a T-15 takes the 8" deep bellhousing like the T10 4 speed,, AD is on several AMC sites now !,,
$150 for both piceces; trnams and bellhousing
no ship,, in Louisville KY 40228