Will a modern overdrive transmission work here?

Question:

I have a 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 convertible with a 350 cid engine and factory Hydra-Matic transmission.

Will a Chevy 700 R4 overdrive automatic transmission bolt onto the Oldsmobile engine?

Are there any other modifications that I will need to do in order to install a 700 R4 transmission into this car? If the 700 R4 won’t work, is there an overdrive automatic transmission that will?

Answer:

The 700 R4 is a good choice for your Delta 88. It will bolt to the Olds 350 engine but you will need an adaptor plate. Various companies, including Performance Automotive and Transmission Center transmissioncenter.net), sell the necessary plate.

Asidefrom the adaptor plate, another modification you may need to perform is shortening the driveshaft.

If your original transmission has a 6inch-long tail then the drive shaft will need to be shortened about 3 inches but if the original tail housing is 9 inches, then the driveshaft should work fine without changing its length. You will also need to move the cross member the transmission mounts to or fabricate a new bracket to alter the mount position of the original cross member.