1964 ST 400

Tjnebraska

Member
I have a '64 Turbo 400 transmission.
I am in need of a transmission yoke.
Are the yokes for all 64 through 66 st 400's the same?
Also, eventually I will need a driveshaft for this transmission for my 60 Electra.
Has anyone used a specific year Buick driveshaft or is this something I will need custom made? I assume no factory driveshaft will be the correct length.
Any input is appreciated!

 
Yes they are. Very difficult part to find in good used condition. You could try e-bay, craigslist as well as the MANY Buick ONLY websites. The free ones are Team Buick.com, 65GS.com, and v8buick.com, ROA owners.org, BUT it's not free. You could brouse as a guest & look in parts for sale & other areas. BUT you won't be able to ask questions or post anything. ALSO the '64-'66 Caddys used the same yoke so that leaves you open to search the various Cad sites. The BuickFarm, Doug or Monica. Best Offer Counts, James. Larry Daisey in Arizona, or Desert Valley Antique Auto salvage, I believe , in Arizona & MANY others. I suggest you pick up a copy of Hemmings Motor News for a much larger selection.
What differential is going to be used as this will determine what you will need for a drive shaft. AND it will have to be a 2 piece with a center support bearing because of the X-Frame. You may even get lucky & be able to use a shaft from Buick models from '61-'65 or '63-'70 Rivs. There would be MANY more different choices where you can use your torque tube & replace the center section with a '61 or '62 Buick center section. Then all you have to do is have made the nec. lower control arms & the upper adjustable arm on the right. There are MANY different choices. DON'T let ANYONE tell you the ONLY choice is a Ford 9". In most cases they turn out to be an abortion as far as installation goes & you only have 10" brakes in the rear. I can tell you that you CAN use the newer Buick backing plates on the Ford Diff. to use the 12" Buick brakes. Of couse this ALL requires modifications.
You could ALSO go as far as adding a Jag rear & suspension, I believe XJ-6, which in reality is fairly easy.
So you do have options.
I could go on for days.

Tom T.
 
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The caddy option helps with availability....my local salvage has an early 60's caddy I'll have to check out.
My plan for the rear is to use a 61 or 62 center section (when I can find one).
Truck arm suspension and using the original panhard bar.
 
Make sure the Caddy has a TH400. Will be ONLY '64-'66.
I have a good yoke if your interested & the Cads don't work out for you.
I have a '61 center section also IF interested. Unfortunately NOT inexpensive especially with shipping depending on where you call home.
I would totally FORGET the C-10 arms as they take up so much room & are basically in the way of everything. Makes running exhaust even more complicated.
You should do yourself a favor & give me a shout when/if you can.

Tom T.
 
Make sure the Caddy has a TH400. Will be ONLY '64-'66.
I have a good yoke if your interested & the Cads don't work out for you.
I have a '61 center section also IF interested. Unfortunately NOT inexpensive especially with shipping depending on where you call home.
I would totally FORGET the C-10 arms as they take up so much room & are basically in the way of everything. Makes running exhaust even more complicated.
You should do yourself a favor & give me a shout when/if you can.

Tom T.
Well, dead end on a yoke at the local yard.
I'd be interested in what you want for a yoke and also the center
 
Tjnebraska,

The Yoke IF it's in as good of condition as I remember. It's still installed in the end of the trans. & it & the trans. had 52K on it. I know this is the true mileage as I've know the '64 Riv. it came out of since it was about 5rs. old. This can be shipped in a Small Flat Rate Box. $100.00 The center section is still installed in the rear diff. full of oil. As I remember the gears are 3.23 The '61 LeSabre it came out of had 89K $550.00
Then of course is the shipping. The yoke not so much, BUT the center section after mounting/boxing won't be inexpensive because of the weight.
I know the center section of my rear 3rd. member with Posi alone is 115lbs. by inself. So I would guesstimate 100lbs. + the boxing.
Would be coming from ZIP 06853-1601
SO you do the calculation & let me know what you come up with even IF after the costs to you are OK.
IF someone who doesn't know the value of the '61-'62 center sections doesn't know what they are worth you may end up lucky.
Try to find one as you are finding out.

Tom T.
 
I did find a driveshaft and yoke out of a 66 Pontiac that had a turbo 400 in it. But I believe the O.D. of this yoke is larger than what the Buick caddy trans uses.
Can you confirm?
I will do some checking and get back to you if I would like to purchase one or both of yours.
Thanks!
 
I feel you are correct. Could be someone changed the trans. early on in it's life as I believe the TH400 for Pontiac didn't come out until '67.
 
Tom, if you want to eliminate the dynaflow and enclosed driveshaft what method do you recommend to locate the rear axle housing in a car with coil springs and a pan hard bar?
 
Sorry, BUT I don't recommend any one over the other in ANY of the swaps. It's all up to the abilites of the person performing whatever swap they deem nec. IF you use the original housing you will need to find a '61-'62 center section as above. It bolts in & the axle spline count is the same.
Now you have to fab lower control arms & an upper control arm on the right rear, which requires some fab work, & to be able to adjust pinion angle.
I don't know what year Buick we are talking about??? That info hasn't been stated. IF it's '56-'60 I would suggest is to get your vehicle & a '61-'65 full size car or a '63-'65 Riv. on the lift & do a comparision. You will see that most things look the same. Now all you have to do is some careful measuring. Use ALL the mounting points on the frame & cut off the nec. brackets from the donor car & weld them to your car. Now you have the proper 12" Buick brakes & e-brake set-up.
You could also do a Jag swap as mentioned. In reality it's pretty easy.
Search for, I believe his name was Jacob on this same forum where he used pics & what he did to install into a '56 Buick Century IF I remember correctly.

Tom T.
 
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