1964 riviera tranny

[wynsdey]

i have a 64 riviera 425 that has the original transmission (turbine 400 i think), i need to know what transmissions i can use to "upgrade" and from which cars i would find these transmissions, without having to make modifications to the fitting for the engine.

[This message has been edited by wynsdey (edited 10-06-2001).]

[c_ehubbard]

wynsdey,

What is the end result you are looking for? If it's an overdrive unit - forget about it (for the time being that is). Your tranny is a ST 400. A "Turbo 400" that has a switch pitch converter added to it. Performance converters are avialable.


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Hub
66' Gran Sport Skylark
Minot AFB, ND

[Dr. Frankenbuick]

I recall that the 64 ST 400 is not a variable pitch trans (VP). I could be wrong, but I thought the VP was made from 65-67. Tom Telesco was helping someone out with a similar car (64 Riv). I remember him writing that the 64 was not a VP, and a rebuild kit was not listed for that year. He listed a bunch of modifications for the 64 trans at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BuickNailHead
You will need to register to get on and search for ST or TH 400, but it is one of my favorite sites.

In either case, the ST 400 is the best you can do right now.


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GSCA# 2173
67 GS 525 Stg IV
66 GS Convertible
65 GS HT
63 Riv

[c_ehubbard]

Steve - You are absolutely right. I done forgotted!

Wynsday - Definitely check out the e-group steve listed if you're serious about buffing up your '64 - or anything else for that matter. I faintly remember the conversation about modifying the '64 internals to up the performance. You'll get plenty of hits when you do a search for the ST 400. I'm a four-speed guy so I'm not up on auto trannys.

Good luck!

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Hub
66' Gran Sport Skylark
Minot AFB, ND

[Buickdude]

I thought '65 was the first year of the THM400. But if it is a 400 and doesn't have a Switch-Pitch converter then Kenne-Bell makes a kit with a hollow input shaft and converter that can change it over. There are no other automatic trannys that will bolt to that engine family.

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[wynsdey]

thanks for all your help, guys. it was a suggestion by my mechanic to see if i could find a 3 spd instead of 2. i was just going to put a kit in it.
i dont suppose anyone knows what size bumper bolts i should get (my brother broke them years ago when he took them off)?

[TODD]

Wynsdey, the original attaching bolts for the bumper face bar (front & rear) were 1/2-13 x 1-1/8", round head, square shoulder type.

[theoldguy]

If your Riv is a 64 ,it should already be a 3 speed. The ST-400 is the forerunner of the TH-400 .

[ironhunter]

according to my literature, the Riv was not even available with anything other than the ST 400. It's not a 2-speed, though there are only 2 positions on the shifter. My 64 Super Cat is the same way, 2 positions for the shifter but they were all 3 speed ST 400.

[Dr. Frankenbuick]

My 63 Riv has a 401 and a Dynaflow. Its true, Its true.

Steve B