ALL,

My son & I are building a 54 Studebaker "RatRod" with a 383/727 from a 66 Plymouth Belvedere. We would like to change it over to a 4 speed found that it is very expensive and our budget is low. Are there any cheaper alternatives such as a bellhousing to accomodate other less expensive transmissions?

Thank you
Alex's Dad.

 

The 727 is a very good tranny. Why do you want to swap it our for a 4 spd manual? Your going to need pedals, linkage, bellhousing, flywheel, clutch, etc.

 

If you are trying to save money keep the 727, it's a great trans. The most you'll have to spend is a shift kit, if you like, and trans fluid & filter. It's a no brainer.

 

4 speeds are cooler than an automatic any day of the week!
extra pedal=hot rod!

your best bet is in the junkyard, find a car that has the setup and haggle away. thats the only way i was able to do the changeover in my ride

 

The guys are right. for the extra cost and headache of changeing over to the manual teh 727`s the way to go. I ws gonna cut my runner up and make it a 4 gear, btu with the cost involved. I changed my mind and just bought another car that ws a 4 spd. im glad now that i did.

 

Have to say 4 speeds are cooler like John says and take a look in the car yards and you will be amased on what you will find and just make sure your engine is (crank) drilled out for the four speed , if all else fails at least you can stick with a tough auto trans , its not that bad to do the change over and you might even be able to look into another type of car to grab the parts out of if you no what i mean but you didnt hear that from me (nope not me) shhhhh dont tell anyone i said that

 

there are ways around the crank situation. there is a bearing that is made for the smaller drilled pilot. there is also a roller bearing that fits in the larger part of the register that works.