GM TH-350 source

[NOBLNG]

As far as I can tell from searching on here the only kit that for sure comes with a TH-350 automatic is the MPC 1980 Monte Carlo. Alas, none of my local hobby shops have one in stock. Are there any other kits that have one? Thanks.

[larman]

Competition Resins makes a nice one. You can get it through Slixx Decals on their website. I ordered some resin stuff through Slixx before Covid and they shipped very quickly and everything was packed nicely. The current mail situation could slow things down now though.

[Kris Morgan]

You can find a resin one here www.madmodeling.com

[Casey]

*edit*

Edited February 27, 2021 by Casey

[Snake45]

What's the tranny with the small block in the AMT '72 Nova? 

[Mark]

The AMT Nova piece represents a TH350 also, but it's not quite as good as the MPC part.

MPC used a very similar small-block/automatic combo in several late Seventies Chevy kits.  Besides the Monte Carlos, the MPC Chevy Monzas, El Camino/GMC Diablo, '78-'82 Corvettes, and '78-'85 Chevy/GMC pickups all have a very similar engine/transmission combo.

[Snake45]

18 minutes ago, Mark said:

The AMT Nova piece represents a TH350 also, but it's not quite as good as the MPC part.

Might be more common, though. Who among us doesn't have a copy or two of the "Old Pro," if only for parts? Can't remember the last time I saw an MPC '80 Monte Carlo. (I don't think I own any of the other MPC kits you listed, either.) 

[NOBLNG]

2 hours ago, Mark said:

The AMT Nova piece represents a TH350 also, but it's not quite as good as the MPC part.

MPC used a very similar small-block/automatic combo in several late Seventies Chevy kits.  Besides the Monte Carlos, the MPC Chevy Monzas, El Camino/GMC Diablo, '78-'82 Corvettes, and '78-'85 Chevy/GMC pickups all have a very similar engine/transmission combo.

Thanks Mark! A local shop here has an MPC  ‘86 El Camino. I checked out HPIGuys review on YouTube and it definitely has a TH350. It also has a really nice looking 305 and some nice wheels and tires. I will pick it up on Monday.?

[Casey]

17 hours ago, Mark said:

MPC *snip* '78-'85 Chevy/GMC pickups all have a very similar engine/transmission combo.

Here's a look at the trans from the MPC Racer's Wedge '72 Chevy pickup kit from an eBay listing:

 

And from the most recent reissue of the MPC "Deserter" '86 GMC 4x4:

Edited February 28, 2021 by Casey

[Mark]

The engine/transmission in the Wedge was newly tooled by Ertl when they combined parts from the AMT and MPC pickups into one kit.  AMT (ex-GMC) kit, cab changed to Chevrolet trim (better than the old MPC kit IMO) with MPC interior, newly tooled engine/transmission, grille/front bumper, taillights, rear bumper, and rear half of chassis.  

The MPC engine and transmission are a bit better, again my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions.

[Casey]

32 minutes ago, Mark said:

The engine/transmission in the Wedge was newly tooled by Ertl when they combined parts from the AMT and MPC pickups into one kit.

Thanks.

The Racer's Wedge kit trans above look more like a 4L80E than a TH-350, doesn't it? 4L80E:

[NOBLNG]

On 2/28/2021 at 2:51 PM, Casey said:

Thanks.

The Racer's Wedge kit trans above look more like a 4L80E than a TH-350, doesn't it?

Definitely! This is a shot of the TH 350 in the El Camino kit. I think it looks better than the deserter one too.

Edited March 2, 2021 by NOBLNG
Re-load missing pics?

[NOBLNG]

Here it is. The pan is not the best, but with some minor work it will look great. Has Anyone added dipstick tubes?

Edited March 1, 2021 by NOBLNG

[Casey]

Hmmm, the pan wouldn't be too difficult to remove and replace with a separate piece, but the remainder of the trans isn't great. I agree it's probably the best we've seen in this topic so far, but hopefully something better exists. 

[NOBLNG]

2 hours ago, Casey said:

Hmmm, the pan wouldn't be too difficult to remove and replace with a separate piece, but the remainder of the trans isn't great. I agree it's probably the best we've seen in this topic so far, but hopefully something better exists. 

I am going to replace the pan. It’s pretty much the only part seen so I am OK with the rest of it.

[bisc63]

Seems like there was a kit with a TH350 that had a separate ribbed chrome or aluminum pan on the chrome sprue? That ring any bells with the gurus here? I may be thinking of a TH400, but it seems like it might have been a Monogram 1/24, but it escapes me at the moment...

Interesting all choices so far seem to be short tail shaft only!

Edited March 2, 2021 by bisc63
added info

[Casey]

1 hour ago, NOBLNG said:

I am going to replace the pan. It’s pretty much the only part seen so I am OK with the rest of it.

That's true. When mounted inside a conventional trans tunnel, you'll never see the upper half.

[Casey]

2 hours ago, bisc63 said:

Seems like there was a kit with a TH350 that had a separate ribbed chrome or aluminum pan on the chrome sprue? That ring any bells with the gurus here? I may be thinking of a TH400, but it seems like it might have been a Monogram 1/24, but it escapes me at the moment...

The 1/24 Monogram '86 Chevy Monte Carlo SS has an auto trans with a separate pan, but I believe the trans is a TH200-4R--- same as what's found in the more recent 1/25 Revell '83 Olds Cutlass kit...and maybe the 1/24 Buick GN/GNX kit, too?

1/24 '86 Monte Carlo SS trans:

 

Revell '83 Hurst Oldsmobile:

[bisc63]

I think the Monogram 70 Buick GSX is the kit I had in the back of my head, I think it has a TH400 with separate pan.

[Casey]

4 minutes ago, bisc63 said:

I think the Monogram 70 Buick GSX is the kit I had in the back of my head, I think it has a TH400 with separate pan.

Yes, it appears to be a TH-400:

[bisc63]

Incredible that we don't have a really good TH350 in scale! They are/were so common!

[NOBLNG]

Just a follow up on this turbo 350 from the MPC El Camino kit for anyone who may search this topic. It is 1/25th  scale and isn’t too bad really. The torque converter cover is a little wonky, so I added a little milliput and reshaped it. I just filed the pan flat and down a bit so the flange is wider and added some bolt heads. I also added nipples for cooler lines (not that I will ever add the lines?) and a grommet for the dipstick tube. I cast it so I don’t have to do it again.

Edited March 10, 2021 by NOBLNG