Identefy trans

Need hjelp to identefy this auto trans.

From a 71 matador with 304.. Will it hold UP to my 360?

I think it is a BW45, which is in my 71 304 Javelin. They are good for I6 and 304 v8, but no 360 and larger engines.

71 Javelin SST body
390 69 crank, 70 block & heads
NASCAR SB2 rods & pistons
78 Jeep TH400 w/ 2.76 Low
50/50 Ford-AMC Suspension
79 F150 rear & 8.8 axles
Ford Racing 3.25 gears & 9" /w Detroit locker

Will it hold up to a 360.... well, that depends. If it's a pretty much stock 360 and you're just going to cruise around with it I'd say yes. If you plan on horsing around with it much it still will... for a while. Not much you can do to the old BW to beef it up. Shim the accumulators (with washers) to increase pressure, and if rebuilding you can get better clutches and bands. I'd install an external cooler in addition to the radiator mounted cooler (in the return line -- hot ATF hits radiator cooler first, then through external before returning) just to be safe as any slipping will heat the fluid up, and hot/burnt fluid is the killer of many an auto trans. As noted, you will need a 70-71 engine (or at least crank) to use the BW trans. That or have some machine work done to a later crank... which seem counter productive. Would be easier to find a later model transmission. Even the six cylinder 904 can be built to take big power since many Mopar racers use it. Internally the AMC and Mopar versions are the same, just the case (bell bolt pattern) is different. But you would have to have the 904 built for a 360. For a cruiser you could get by with an additional cooler and a towing/RV shift kit, but would want to take it easy and just cruise around.

Frank Swygert

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Stormogdis Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/04/2017 Location: Norway Status: Offline Points: 612	Post Options Post Reply Quote Stormogdis Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Identefy trans Posted: Oct/15/2018 at 1:59pm
	Need hjelp to identefy this auto trans. From a 71 matador with 304.. Will it hold UP to my 360?

1970390amx Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jul/11/2008 Location: colorado Status: Online Points: 3314	Post Options Post Reply Quote 1970390amx Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Oct/15/2018 at 2:03pm
	I think a BW40, I doubt it would hold up to a 360. If the 360 is a 72 or newer engine the crank shaft is different and would be difficult to get them bolted together correctly.
	1970 390 4speed Bittersweet shadow mask AMX 1970 Amx missing most everything, or in a box

304-dude Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/29/2008 Location: Central Illinoi Status: Offline Points: 9082	Post Options Post Reply Quote 304-dude Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Oct/15/2018 at 2:15pm
	I think it is a BW45, which is in my 71 304 Javelin. They are good for I6 and 304 v8, but no 360 and larger engines.
	71 Javelin SST body 390 69 crank, 70 block & heads NASCAR SB2 rods & pistons 78 Jeep TH400 w/ 2.76 Low 50/50 Ford-AMC Suspension 79 F150 rear & 8.8 axles Ford Racing 3.25 gears & 9" /w Detroit locker

tomj Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/27/2010 Location: earth Status: Offline Points: 7544	Post Options Post Reply Quote tomj Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Oct/15/2018 at 11:16pm
	before 1972, the early bell pattern, starter is on the U.S. driver's side.
	1960 Rambler Super two-door wagon, OHV auto 1961 Roadster American, 195.6 OHV, T5 http://www.ramblerLore.com

farna Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Moderator Lost Dealership Project Joined: Jul/08/2007 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 19676	Post Options Post Reply Quote farna Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Oct/18/2018 at 6:20am
	Will it hold up to a 360.... well, that depends. If it's a pretty much stock 360 and you're just going to cruise around with it I'd say yes. If you plan on horsing around with it much it still will... for a while. Not much you can do to the old BW to beef it up. Shim the accumulators (with washers) to increase pressure, and if rebuilding you can get better clutches and bands. I'd install an external cooler in addition to the radiator mounted cooler (in the return line -- hot ATF hits radiator cooler first, then through external before returning) just to be safe as any slipping will heat the fluid up, and hot/burnt fluid is the killer of many an auto trans. As noted, you will need a 70-71 engine (or at least crank) to use the BW trans. That or have some machine work done to a later crank... which seem counter productive. Would be easier to find a later model transmission. Even the six cylinder 904 can be built to take big power since many Mopar racers use it. Internally the AMC and Mopar versions are the same, just the case (bell bolt pattern) is different. But you would have to have the 904 built for a 360. For a cruiser you could get by with an additional cooler and a towing/RV shift kit, but would want to take it easy and just cruise around.
	Frank Swygert