Re: American transmission interchange

[<mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Be very careful of this as the earlier automatic trans used a smaller torque converter with a different starter location. I'm not positive it will clear a 232 block. We found out the hard way. we used a 196 converter in a 232 trans, because we had a new converter and just looking at it it seemed the same. Problem was the starter would no engage the flywheel! You may be O.K using the entire assemby,but I would hesitate to do so. Look for a later model. Also if you try to use the early trans you will need to work out the issues of the throttle cable hookup to the 232. Later model transmission had vacuum modulators and electric kickdowns. Much easier to retrofit.
Mark Price



---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: adh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Sandwich Maker)
Reply-To: mail-From-mprice-westco.net@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Date:  Tue, 22 Feb 2005 09:32:21 -0500 (EST)

>" From: Roger Blake <rogblake@xxxxxxxxx>
>" 
>" I have an acquaintance with a '66 Rambler American with 232 and
>" column-shift manual transmission. He wants to change it over to
>" automatic for his wife, and has located a junkyard transmission that
>" is in an older American with the L-head six. (He was not sure of the
>" year, but it sounds like it is probably a '61 through '63 "breadbox"
>" model. The junkyard transmission would be overhauled before installation.)
>" Will the automatic transmisssion from the L-head bolt up to the 232? If
>" so, what other issues would there be with the kickdown linkage, etc.?
>
>might very well.  the 196 and early 199/232/258 bellhousing patterns
>are the same, though i don't know if crank patterns are.
>
>" Presumably the steering column would have to be replaced also with one
>" from an automatic-equipped car. I know the mid-1960s American has a lot
>" of parts in common with the Classic/Ambassador series -- would a column
>" from the big Ramblers fit in the American? (I assume that the transmission
>" from one of these would be no good for the swap due to the torque-tube
>" drive.)
>
>'64-6 american columns are the same; '67-9 could be swapped in with a
>little wiring - they have 4-way flashers built in, and a different
>connector.  you'd need a '67-9 steering box too; the shaft is
>two-piece instead of single like earlier.
>
>" Presumably adapting a Chrylser Torqueflite from a later model AMC
>" such as a Hornet would be a major project.
>
>definitely.  there are rumors of small-bellhousing tfs used in
>mid-'70s postal jeeps, but the only ones i'm sure of were used only
>after the sixes were redesigned to the big v8 bellhousing pattern - so
>you'd have to swap the engine too.
>________________________________________________________________________
>Andrew Hay                                  the genius nature
>internet rambler                            is to see what all have seen
>
>adh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx                       and think what none thought
>
>
>
>