The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 700R4/261

Currently running 261 with 3 spd/OD in my '56 Chevy 3100. Wife has knee problems--one replaced and the other one on its way--so has major difficulty driving my truck. Am thinking about a 700R4 but am unsure about problems I will encounter in the conversion. I would also like to retain the original column shift to keep the interior and dash looking retro. Your input, please.

i don't if you would call it a problem, but a new axel and drive shaft adapter plate from langdons, and yes you can keep the orginal look with a column shift or floor shifter.. lokar and genie shifter have both kinds. i would order a jegs catalog and see what they have available. go on line i think the catalogs are free. i get one about once a month. i am seriously thinking of the same route for other reasons. would be interested to see how you came out. anothe thing to comsider is centering the rear wheels in the fenders. they are about 1 1/2 inches to far foward. you also have to get new spring mounts because the new axle will have wider springs. i am sure some one else will respond and give more suggestion. ron

Whats wrong with a hydramatic tranny? That should be a much easier conversion. I have a 700R4 in my Nova, but its hooked up to around 425hp. The 700R4 might be an overkill for the 261. Not sure the 261 has enough power to make the 700R4 work properly. This is only a guess on my part and I could be completely wrong. I'm not familiar with the 261. Cecil.....

51jimmy,

I see you have a rare set of the overload springs.

52pu

I would suggest a compromise...TH400 It fits,you nice performance, and it's bullet-proof.

The later model transmissions won't fit on the 235/261 engines, without an adapter.If you take you're bellhousing off and look at the engine you will see that it is about 8 inches wide from top to bottom. There is nothing to bolt a later transmission to.Someone makes an adapter, it's been talked about here before,do a search for transmissions and you may find it.

Langdon makes the adapter for the 261/700R4 swap. Just talked to him about this same subject a week ago. I am building a 261 to replace the 235 in my 55 1st series. Really want that higher cruising speed the 700R4 would give me but like the unique original Hydramatic. Woe is me.

the 200r4 is a lighter version of the same transmission and mostly over looked. some say it is not beefy enough but for th straight six would be ok. and they are plentiful. there are some threads in the site about langdons adapters some good and some really don't like it. i have debated using it but would like to go to an automatic. i like shifting but the automatic would be nice when my son takes the truck over. if ever he is a new car fan has a bmw now and looking to get his wife a x3 soon. ron

Appreciate your comebacks. Have also looked at other threads about adaptors and linkage. Does anybody know whether it is at all possible to keep my foot starter in doing a 200R4 or 700R4 conversion?

You just may want to do your homework on that adapter. I dont have one,have heard some real bad stuff about them . Just a warning before you buy. I was warned and stayed with a stick. I checked the inliners site but it seems to have been deleteted for some reason.

Think I'll call Langdon and see what he has to say. He was very helpful when I was building my engine.

Whatcha gonna do w/the 3spd/OD??? Brian

When the swap is final I'll probably offer the 3 spd OD here on the bolt in the swap meet section. It only has about 7k miles on the whole shebang since finishing the truck two years ago. With the driving season upon us and my hopes of getting the truck into at least one 1000 pt. show this summer, it's beginning to look like a tranny change may not happen until next fall or winter.

I'll keep an eye out for it. Brian

This statement has to do with replacing a closed driveline with an open. It has nothing to do with your '56. You can use your stock rearend.

You'll use a later Chevrolet solenoid starter.

If they'll handle a Buick Grand National I imagine they'll handle a 261.

One of the complaints about them is they break flywheels easily. The guy doing the loudest complaining was in the hot rod business. I have installed one behind the 248 in my '54 GMC but it is not running yet. I'm hoping by driving it in a proper manner I won't have that problem.

I chose the adapter built by Buffalo Enterprises over the Langdon one because Buffalo's is steel and Langdon's is aluminum.

I dont think the 248 is the same stuff as the 235. The flywheel would not would it?Dont think the adapter is the same is it? I cant find the pictures but they had several broken flywheels with the center ripped out on a stocker not a hot rod.The starter and quality on the adapter was at question also. The 200r-4 would be a good choice but if it breaks what good would that be? 400 for the adapter 1200 for a trans. Now buy a shifter. My old s-10 setup was 150 dollars.The old stock powerglide can be built and used if you have to.
I will go look for the pictures of those flywheels.

The adapter is the same for a 248, 235, 261, 228, 270, 302. The Chevy and GMC flywheels are not.

The 700R4 should work just fine,with that low gear.