will this 200-4r work in my car?

[TrevorBrian]

I have a restored 72 Cutlass convertible that is built for cruising (I know, this is a Buick site, but I'm told you Buick guys are the 200-4r experts :smile. Occasional light burnouts with the mid-70's 350 Rocket, Edelbrock intake and carb, but no abuse or drag racing.

I have to get rid of the TH350 - the 3 speed is killer on the mpg above 45mph. plus it leaks so it needs attention anyway.

I have a line on a 200-4r tranny from an 85 Monte Carlo (NOT SS). Here is the number off the tranny tag: 1T85CR0236. My questions: would this particular unit be acceptable as a candidate for a rebuild, maybe a mild shift kit, and install into my Cutlass? and, what should I expect to pay for this unit (that is not in the donor car anymore) provided it's got fluid in it and it's not burnt? AND, can I use the TC that comes with it, or do I need to buy a better TC? I'm trying to do this on a budget as much as possible.

Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

 

[mikestertwo]

It can be done without too many problems. As with anything else, it depends how much money you want to spend. On the plus side, you can use the same drive shaft, the transmissions are the same length and have the same spline count. You will have to move the cross member back, the 200's mount is further back. You will need a bracket to mount the TV cable and a bracket on the carb throttle arm to operate the cable. Both are available from Edelbrock. You will also need a control box to lock the converter which is available from B&M and a different brake light switch to release the converter when you step on the brake. That you can get from any newer GM car that has a lockup converter.To save money, you could use a manual switch, but it's a pita to operate by hand all the time. I don't know if you have a floor shifter or column shifter. If it's a column shift, I think you can use the existing hardware. If it's a floor shift, you will need a different bracket on the trans and modify the detent on the shifter if you want to be able to put it in manual low.

 

[TrevorBrian]

Good info, thanks.

My Cutlass is a floor shift model. I'm thinking I can probably live without being able to put it into Low manually.

How about the donor tranny in particular? Is the 1985 "CR" a good enough donor? and what's a range of it's worth?

 

[brian]

Good info, thanks.

My Cutlass is a floor shift model. I'm thinking I can probably live without being able to put it into Low manually.

How about the donor tranny in particular? Is the 1985 "CR" a good enough donor? and what's a range of it's worth?

A CR is not a bad trans. It will not have a high rpm upshift like a performance version.
But, should make a good build up project. I would not pay more than $50-$100 myself for that model.

HTH... Brian

 

[need boost]

Just let brian build you one and be done with it. His live in our cars and they are putting out a lot of hp on most of them here. A 350 would not even tickle it lol. jmo Daniel Ray

 

[GNeric]

I did this exact same swap into my wife's old 72 cutlass. Used the same CR trans and my 85 GN D5 converter and the stock 692 servo with a wide band and the .500" TV and .300" Int/Rev boost valves. Made my own valve body kit and moved the crossmember back to the TH400 position on the frame. Fit like a glove.

 

[GNeric]

Here is what ours looked like.