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Re: 4 speed auto

To: bricklin@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: 4 speed auto
From: Parkman Kenneth <Kenneth.Parkman@pwc.ca>
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 11:18:33 -0500
>    Anyone thought of putting a 4 spd auto into a 74.

I have installed a 2 speed chevy pattern powerglide in my race car with 
a purchased adaptor (should fit 700r4) which was of extremely poor 
quality (extreme runout and the starter was in the wrong place). I've 
fixed it and it's for sale ($100) as I've moved on to an Ultrabell from 
JW Transmissions in Florida, which is a nice piece. However, I would 
not recommend this adaptor as the chevy and AMC patterns are very close 
and to make a narrow adapter fit you have to tilt the transmission. If 
you do choose this direction GM pattern 360 AMC flexplates and pilot 
adaptors are available from a (good) Jeep dealer as GM TH400's came in 
AMC powered Jeeps up to 79. I don't know how applicable to the TH700r4 
this would but it would be a starting point. Note that the AMC is an 
externally balanced engine and the correct balance flexplate must be 
used. Ideally the engine should be rebalanced, but I don't bother when 
I break a flexplate (once a season in the race car).

>I have considered trying to find a trans out of a dodge dakota (but 
heard that the 360 block is not the same).  

The AMC engine is unrelated (much superior, but I'm biased) to the 
dodge so nothing will fit. However, what might be a thought is a late 
model Jeep with a 4.0 liter 6 cylinder and 4 speed auto. I believe they 
used the 518 (?) 4 speed overdrive in the Grand Cherokee and it should 
be a non-electronic bolt-on to the engine. I have not seen one of these 
so flex-plates, pilots, torque capability etc are unknown, but I 
believe all of these could be solved for the AMC 360. The small 
Cherokee also came with an Asian-Warner 4 speed overdrive which was 
computer controlled. The computer was separate and could possibly be 
adapted, but I don't know what it's inputs were.

> I have also heard that Advance adapters makes an adapter to mate a 
AMC 360 to a late model GM trans (th700r4). Any experiance.

No experience with advance and they are probably good, but from past 
experience I would recommend avoiding adapters. One other thought that 
would be very easy for transmissions would be to update the 727 trans 
to a later wide ratio (2.75 low) gear set and possibly a lock-up 
converter. You could then reduce the rear axle gear ratio to get not 
quite the same effect as an overdrive, but close.


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