Piston Slap: Of extra gears and HEI dreams for Buick powertrains?
Rob writes:
I’ve got a 1968 Buick small-block 350 in my car. Should I invest in an high energy ignition (HEI) distributor?
One more question: The car has an original Powerglide transmission with about 1500 miles on it since being rebuilt. Any real advantage to upgrading?
Sajeev answers:
Each of those upgrades can be seen as an “investment” with “real advantage” aplenty. These words may ring hollow to the purist, and that’s fine. But for those of us who lack concours-quality vehicles in our collection, both HEI and a transmission upfitting are fantastic choices with immediate and long-term benefits.
The swap to GM’s electric, high-energy ignition (HEI) is easy and offers that aforementioned long-term benefit: since finding replacement points of respectable quality is getting difficult, this conversion eliminates a point of failure. The HEI assembly is bulky, but clearance issues with most factory Buick air-cleaners (GS350 cold-air affairs aside) are unlikely on a small-block Buick. (And for other small-block engines, the aftermarket makes “HEI offset” air cleaners.)
With all the pros and so few cons, it’s hard to say no to an HEI upgrade.
Your transmission question implies the more complicated task of upgrading to a three-plus-speed automatic transmission. The benefits will be immediate: The extra gear before the Powerglide’s 1-to-1 top gear improves acceleration around town, and likely nets you better fuel economy, because you’ll need less throttle in the process.
The gearbox to make this happen easily is GM’s three-speed TH-350, because it is almost a perfect drop-in. Just get one with the same overall length. Conversion kits are plentiful, to boot, but your application may have unique items that need addressing (crossmember modification, flex-plate differences, to name a few).
There might be a little trick to getting the shifter into first gear, but this video shows it can be done. No matter, the upgrade is totally worth the effort for just about any GM product with a Powerglide from the factory. The maximum benefit comes from adding a GM overdrive transmission to your Buick 350, be it a 700R4, 200R4, or the newer ones with electronic controls. (Or the modern ones with six or more gears, if so inclined.) But those are not necessarily worth the time and effort; the three-speed swap probably offers far more bang for the buck for most of us.
Bottom line? I’d do the HEI swap now, and consider the notion of collecting parts for a TH-350 swap.
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Buick,Olds Pontiac did not use the Chevy Powerglide trans.
The 2 speed auto was a Super Turbine 300.
Oh boy, thank you for the correction. If this thread is any indication, the TH350 swap is just as straightforward with the ST300:
https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=484512
Fingers crossed on that!
What is a good source for the HEI distributor? I have a 72 Skylark with the 350-2 and the ignition part repalcement issue certainly is getting pointy! Happy Holidays to all..
This might be your best value in the HEI swap: https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/40027/10002/-1?
It’s only a little more difficult to swap in a 2004R transmission, and have the benefit of an overdrive.
The THM 700R4 is stronger, but also bigger. The 4L60 is better yet.
Electronic controls for an automatic transmission in an old car are very complex and expensive, and not worth the effort.
I went with a 700R4 in my 65 Impala because I was replacing floor pans anyway (the transmission tunnel needs to be widened) and it’s about as advanced as you can get without a computer. My understanding is that the 200R4 is nearly a drop-in replacement, but much harder to find… especially when you are talking BOP bellhousing.
As Mr. Elton said, go for the 200-4R. Most of the cores you will find on a salvage yard will have a dual bell housing bolt pattern that fits BOPC (Buick, Olds, Pontiac and Cadillac) as well as Chevrolet, should you wish to have a used unit rebuilt. I highly recommend Gearstar units over any other reman’s you can find. You will need to address the driveshaft as well, so factor that into the equation.
Installed the 200R4 and an HEI system to my ’67 Skylark 2dht. Moderately Improved MPG, definitely improved performance. Not grandma’s cruiser anymore…Maybe the rebuilt 340, Isky cam, porcelain headers, FlowMaster’s, 4bbl 650, beefed suspension and fat Coopers had something to do with it.
Oh… but the fender skirts still fool everyone… and it’s a fun daily driver.