'73 transmission

[Greg Howarth]

OK another question more advise.

my 73 has a crate 350 with the original transmission, does the old tranny have overdrive?

it seems to be lagging when I get up to 60mph.

[wildfelr]

Greg if the "D" for drive indicator next to the shift handle has a "O" or circle around it it may be an overdrive...I cant imagine anyone it back to a non OD trans....and of course you can always pop in to your local trans shop and get the straight scoop from a knowledgeable person....or just ask my wife...she has an answer for everything...BILL RQB3263...(Still in the paint shop)

[Avanti83]

If it's original as you say, the answer is no overdrive. It's about 10 years early for an overdrive. It wouldn't be hard to convert over to one with your 350 SBC but you will need some parts and a couple of mods. 700R4, 4L60 and 4L60E and 2004R will all work with some changes. Bob

[mfg]

Your '73 Avanti ll probably has the original Turbo-Hydro 400...which is a very rugged transmission, but as has been said, too early for OD!

[plwindish]

Your 73 would have been equipped new with a 400 motor. Since you're now sporting a 350 Crate motor, its also possible the trans was also swapped out. Driving at 70 mph with a THM 400 will be running around 3000 RPM's where as the AOD trans will be showing around 2000 RPM's at 70 mph.

[Avanti83]

This should help identify yours. http://www.monstertransmission.com/Identify-Your-Transmission_ep_106-1.htmlBob

[Greg Howarth]

Thanks for the advise everyone.

Wildfelr, wow you go out on a limb. I asked my wife and she said the reason they don't make Avanti's anymore is because they are a piece of crap. She's not a believer.

I plan on washing her mouth out with soap as soon as she puts her shotgun down.

[plwindish]

Greg,

Wives just don't drink the Avanti Koolaid like guys do. This goes back to the original design and roll out of the Avanti. It was very polarizing, with people either loving it or hating it, with very few in the middle of the spectrum. I saw it first as a Freshman in high school and fell in love with it, The first car I bought as a Senior in High School was a 2 year old round headlight Black R1. I had that car about 3 1/2 years. I was without another Avanti until January 2011, buying a 76 Avanti II that I have put over 28,000 miles on it, driving it to East and West coasts after a full restoration in stages. I also picked up an 89 convertible in November 2013, enjoying it in combination with the 76.

My wife gave me the "second childhood routine" only riding in it when she had to. We drove separate cars to International Meets in Colorado and Delaware before. This past summer she did ride with me from Chicagoland to Santa Monica following Rte 66 on the Great American Tour, so there is hope your wife to grow to accept the car.

Edited September 30, 2015 by plwindish