hello all
picked up an 83SS with a 350C trans. can't find much info on it. elec control has been deleted. do i need to rig up some kind of elec switch to lock up the converter? never messed with one of these before!
thanks

If you do not have an ECM connected to a computer controlled carburetor, the lockup torque converter will not lock up. You must install some other kind of system to make it happen. There are some vacuum switches out there that will work, but I do not know how effective they happen to be. Never saw one work.

Try using the search feature on this site. There may be some information readily available. Somewhere in my files, I have a link to a site that tells how to install one of the units. Let me know if you cannot find any info. in the search mode and I'll find the link info. for you.

If you have a lockup converter you have to have the OEM ECm for it to work or one of those aftermarket vacumn/electric switches. To me it's not worth the effort.

thanks for the replies
spoon, i tried several searches and got some info on the 200 and 700 trannies but none on the 350. anyone know where i can find a schematic for this elky online? i figger if they are similar i can just tap into the harness at the ecm plug and leave the rest intact. but they talk about changing the internal solenoids. a schematic would help a lot. :P

thanks again

The article I saw contained actual pictures of the innards of a transmission. And yes, one must remove the pan to get to the solenoids that have to be rewired, but I do not remember seeing that a solenoid had to be changed, just rewired. Or, I should say wiring rerouted. The author said it is a messy job since tranny fluid gets spilled out as the pan comes off, but it did not seem to be an overly difficlt job if you have pretty good mechanical skills.

A good option would be to ask a transmission shop about installing such a device and making the conversion. I can tell you that it would be a great deal less expensive to hire it done by a pro than to go through the hassle of re-installing all the computer stuff, especially if you do not have a Rochester E4ME carburetor (computer controlled carburetor). The carburetor alone sells for $348.00 from Advance Auto Parts. It's a Champion remanufactured E4ME.

At today's gasoline prices, I would do it in a minute. The lock-up torque converter engages around 45-50 MPH and the engine noticeably slows down. My truck has a 350C and I would not live without the lockup torque convertor.

Tomorrow, I will attempt to dig up the web address of that article.

Hey 58, I located that web site with pictures. What I did not remember was that it was on the 2004R and 700R4 transmissions. I could not find anything on the 350. You might consider showing the articleto a good transmission man and discuss doing a similiar setup on a 350.

The web address is: www.73-78.com/garage/lockup.htm. I would think the cost is probably a great deal less than restoring the factory setup unless you still have all the parts and components in good working order.

Good luck and let us know how it goes. I am very interested in your results.

How about a lockup controller, B&M makes one that is suppose to be good and you can get it from summitracing.com. It can control the lockup on TH-700/4L60, 200C, 200-4R, 350C and its a 160 bucks. You may want to check it out if your interested. The part number is BMM-70244 which is the one for a mechanical speedo.

Chris

well fellers i been all over the place trying to find info on this tranny. no luck. must be a popular little critter. :cool:
my boss went to an auction the other day and came back with 2 truck loads of old repair manuals, some from the 20's. found some real good chiltons electrical schematic books. i guess i will sit down and try and trace out the wiring. i still want to try and use existing harness to make this work. :? i know the purple wire at the connector on the trans is the brake override. now to find what the other 2 do. :P

spoon
does your converter only lock up in 3rd gear? i have been told these tranny's are one of a kind.

I've been told you can actually convert these to standard 350's but you have to change some internal parts. Not really sure about it though.

Chris

58, my 350C only locks up in third. That's the way it came from the factory. It unlocks when you hit the brake pedal, when engine load increases, slows and just before lugging (like going up a steep hill) and when slowing down to a point (without hitting the brake).

58panel, you do know that the lockup converter for that 350C is different from a non-lockup Th350 converter. It has friction material in the torque converter and it does wear out like a clutch friction plate. You should check on the price of a replacement lock-up torque converter--it may make your effort to get it working not practical.