My main question is will it be worth my time or should i find a newer bird tranny. I just smoked my trans and am on a limited budget and can get a 700r4 from an 86 full size truck for cheap if i pull it. What will i need to change to make everything work properly, and is there any downfall to the older truck tranny?

mid 87 and up they are built tougher. The sprag is 26 element. Newers are 28. Lo roller clutch is bigger on newer ones as well. You can make it work, but newer is better to start with.

he is correct. the newer models 87 1/2+ have many updates that the previous models did not.

yes you can use the truck trans in the bird just swap the tailshaft housing, trans mount and gear select lever. use it for now and rebuild the original tranny when funds permit.

I actually just came across one in a 91 van with a 350 for a little bit more so i think im gonna go with that. Any issues i should be aware of?

only one thing, it will shift at a lower RPM @ WOT. that's about it.

on the 700r4 one yes it is identical externally from a truck as it is from a car too

the tailshaft housing is really the only difference,

all the 700r4 are the same length escept for the vette ones a little over an inch shorter- an oddball length


what trans is in the van?

th350 ?

6" or 9" tail in that ?

what trans was in the bird ?

better make sure youre putting in same length trans or youre gonna not have a driveshaft anymore,.,


good luck

700r4 in both, can i just swap tailshaft housings?

yes, as long as is 2wd one and not from a vette or a caprice

Cool, i appreciate it guys