Has anyone ever attempted to replace the manual trans with an automatic? Is this even possible? And if it is possible, what trans did you use and how was it done?
Auto Trans
If you have an L series motor in there...it's not too bad. Find an L series automatic....preferably the Jatco, not the borg warner....and get the flex plate and torque converter. You'll have to mod or fab a trans mount/crossmember. Possibly shorten the driveline. Add a trans cooler(easier than finding the auto radiator. Possibly mod the floor board for the shifter. Nothing too difficult.
edited for clarity...mk
edited for clarity...mk
Be careful with the Jatco. I believe that Jatco transes were used with the L20B and thus use a 6 bolt flexplate and, depending on which L motor you have, it probably has a 5 bolt crankshaft. I'm not sure if they ever used that trans on a L16 or L18 in the US. You might be able to use the 5 bolt flexplate from a BW automatic but I'm not sure if it fits the holes on the Jatco torque converter. But, at any rate, be sure to check the number of bolts on the flexplate for any trans you select.
My '71 510 wgn had the Jatco(floor shift) trans in it behind the L16. I transferred the motor from a 521 with a stick.
...but that's a really good point to keep in mind!! I hadn't even thought about the L20's flex plate being a 6 hole. Good thing there's always somebody here to fill in the gapping holes I leave!! .....read the siggy
...but that's a really good point to keep in mind!! I hadn't even thought about the L20's flex plate being a 6 hole. Good thing there's always somebody here to fill in the gapping holes I leave!! .....read the siggy
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