Swap standard trans for auto trans.

[Smittys71C10]

Howdy all! First time here for me.

I have a 1971 Chevy C10 pickup long bed. It has 4 on the floor with the granny gear. I want to put an Automatic Transmission in it, but I'm not sure what would be the best/easiest swap.

Any ideas or pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[rocknss]

I would swap in a 700-R4 so you have overdrive, that's what I did to my 69 Burb that had a 4 on the floor too. You can find them easy, just get a 88 or newer one.

To do the swap to an auto you need these items besides the trans.

auto flex plate
auto starter
auto trans cross member
radiator with auto trans cooler
transmission TV cable (after I completed swap took Burb to trans shop to have them adjust TV cable correctly)
swap to auto steering column or do what I did and use a floor auto shifter
will need to shorten drive shaft (have it balanced too)
install torque converter lockup if swapping to 700-R4 ( easy to install)

I don't think a TH350 swap would be easier than a 700-R4 because you still need all items but the torque converter lockup and depending on your engine you might want the OD.

[RickDeVon]

Originally Posted by rocknss

I would swap in a 700-R4 so you have overdrive, that's what I did to my 69 Burb that had a 4 on the floor too. You can find them easy, just get a 88 or newer one.

To do the swap to an auto you need these items besides the trans.

auto flex plate
auto starter
auto trans cross member
radiator with auto trans cooler
transmission TV cable (after I completed swap took Burb to trans shop to have them adjust TV cable correctly)
swap to auto steering column or do what I did and use a floor auto shifter
will need to shorten drive shaft (have it balanced too)
install torque converter lockup if swapping to 700-R4 ( easy to install)

I don't think a TH350 swap would be easier than a 700-R4 because you still need all items but the torque converter lockup and depending on your engine you might want the OD.

If you had a TH350 and a I6 250 would you consider swapping it out for the 700-R4 ???

[88Ironduke]

The 700R4 would be a nice step up rom the Turbo 350 just in gearing alone. The only issue with a 700R4 behind the old inline 6 is TV cable. The carbs and linkages can be a pain to get hooked up because they rotate across the engine unlike a stock carb on a V8 that rotates front to back. No one makes an adapter that is a bolt on. The TV cable is a show stopper if not adjusted properly and will damage the trans in short order.

Paul