Im tired..

[Thumpin455]

What am I tired of? My life not revolving around cars, trucks, and going fast, thats what. I need motivation and focus. A place to race and someone to race against would probably make me more eager to get in the shop again. Its been an awfully long time since I made a pass down a drag strip. Might be time to make that happen, except I can't get my other cars legal with my state closed down, so the GTO is getting a Th400 in place of the 700R4 (which I keep breaking) and probably a larger roller cam because why not, ya know? I have 'feelins' to violate around here and video to make of the hurtin' but I need an infusion of that fun and excitement I had not long ago which motivated me to build fun stuff.

Its not like I have a shortage of things to do or the time to do it... I guess its a reason to do it, since there is nobody to race, or a place to do it around here.

Humble brag photo incoming.

[DanStokes]

I know what you mean. The wind goes out of my sails from time to time too. I'm lucky in that usually a day or two of doing nothin' and I'm ready to get back at it, at least to do little things. I was bummed to learn that the July meet in Maine was cancelled as I was working toward making that meet but now I'm planning to do the September meet in Arkansas. A goal helps me though I don't get very bent out of shape if I miss a goal.

Dan

[RockJustRock]

When I was younger I was event oriented and tried to foster that in others. No events equals far less enthusiasm which is what is going on now. BangShift is good because here you're a "car guy" 24/7 365. For most they are only car guys a few weeks out of the year, when they buy or sell cars, when they are cash flush or when opportunity arises. Otherwise it is just vehicles. Every good reaction is helped by catalysts.

[Thumpin455]

I know what you mean. The wind goes out of my sails from time to time too. I'm lucky in that usually a day or two of doing nothin' and I'm ready to get back at it, at least to do little things. I was bummed to learn that the July meet in Maine was cancelled as I was working toward making that meet but now I'm planning to do the September meet in Arkansas. A goal helps me though I don't get very bent out of shape if I miss a goal.

Dan

I've had 7 months of can't do a damn thing, which happens almost every winter so its not the BS pandemic causing this. This year I am fighting the GTO again, and discovered that I don't have a driveshaft that will fit a 65 with a Th400. I have one for a Th350 from a pickup, one for the 700R4, but not one for the Th400. The 455 will kill anything else I put behind it. I have goals, with deadlines, problem is I don't really care if I make it or not.

I think I need to move back to Nebraska where there are things to do and a lot more time in the year to do them. Someone buy my land so I can bail.

[Barry Donovan]

I almost like the delay in the vehicle legal stuff.
I only have summer months for working steel.
I go in for inspection in july instead of may..
get all i want done.

today was record breaking heat... I like it.

unique story, the year 2020

[fatguyzinc]

........ the GTO is getting a Th400 in place of the 700R4 (which I keep breaking) .

ive said many many times--th700/4l60/4l60e are some of the
worst transmissions ever, i will not use them. i dont care
how someone says theirs is "a level blah blah build good
to xxx horsepower", i KNOW they will break behind anything
over 350hp/350ftlb (and im being generous there, the factory
rating is a ridiculously low 260ftlb...) or weighing over 3000lbs
vehicle weight. if it aint broke yet, just wait...

you are correct, a healthy 455 will kill anything else besides
a well prepped th400. unless its a race only 1800lb flyweight
car, then a superglide would work--but cost 3x more and
has only 2 speeds. a th400 is the 'final answer'.

[Thumpin455]

ive said many many times--th700/4l60/4l60e are some of the
worst transmissions ever, i will not use them. i dont care
how someone says theirs is "a level blah blah build good
to xxx horsepower", i KNOW they will break behind anything
over 350hp/350ftlb (and im being generous there, the factory
rating is a ridiculously low 260ftlb...) or weighing over 3000lbs
vehicle weight. if it aint broke yet, just wait...

you are correct, a healthy 455 will kill anything else besides
a well prepped th400. unless its a race only 1800lb flyweight
car, then a superglide would work--but cost 3x more and
has only 2 speeds. a th400 is the 'final answer'.

yeah my engines kill Th400s too, some faster than others as they are not all equal. The problem I am having with the 700R4 is the band slipping. The 3-4 lives with my mods, but I think I need a longer apply pin and finding one to replace it is a pain. Then I need to get a new drum so I can run the wider band. Still, I know it just can't handle a beating like a Th400 can and I kinda want to make the GTO quicker and build something else for a daily driver/mileage mule/hotrod. like the 71 Formula. Much better aero with a early 2nd gen than a GTO.

Problem is my motivation of late has sucked. Trying to figure out how to get that drive to get stuff done going again has been bothering me.

[DanStokes]

Sent you a PM with some thoughts. They are worth what you paid for them!

Dan

[fatguyzinc]

yeah my engines kill Th400s too, some faster than others as they are not all equal.

usually a build with kolene steels, red alto clutches,
and the center support sprag along with changing any
teflon thrust washers to metal will live. make sure to
get the case,drums and apply pistons zygloed just to make
sure, and there are 'unobtanium' planetary sets that
will survive even in a 7 second car....

of course incorporate the hardest 'bang-screech'
manual valve body ( WITH full engine braking in all
3 gears...) you can find, never race in "D"----
manual shift will apply bands as well as the drum or
roller clutch, depending on what gear youre in, and will
double the holding power.

other than a lenco i havent found anything that will
hold up to big power and/or big weight like a TH400.

good luck, buddy--tranny problems suck...or so bruce
jenner says............