Author Topic: Manual to automatic questions (Read 770 times)

vikingsandpintos · « **on:** August 13, 2017, 11:07:42 AM »

I have a 79 Pinto with the 2.3 and 4 speed manual trans. I want to switch it to an automatic. I am getting too old to shift all the time! lol I took it to a cruise last night, and it is a pain in really slow stop and go cruise traffic.

It is not really a daily driver, but part of that is because I have grown to dislike the clutch. I think if I put an auto in it, I would be more prone to drive it more often.

What all do I need to change to the auto? I know the normal such as the flywheel, and shifter, ect. And I'll need a trans cooler and lines, I don't think my rad has a cooler in it so would prob just add a separate cooler. I have a couple of Pinto wagons around the same year at storage, I think one had a good trans. Will my current driveshaft work? I didn't know if the yoke and trans length were the same. I assume the wagon one is prob longer than my 2 door? Speedo hook up the same? Trans crossmember? Or is there anything else to watch for that I haven't thought of? Thanks!

dick1172762 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 13, 2017, 11:27:42 AM »

Sounds like you already know what you need. The drive shaft is different than a stick shift. You may be able to use an automatic drive shaft from a wagon, but it may need shorting some. And if you change yokes to an automatic yoke, the stock drive shaft may work. I've done this swap, but from an automatic to a stick shift. Cross member, spedo cable, etc all fit just fine, but the spedo gear in the tranie may need changing due to its number of teeth being different.