? about turboglide to powerglide swap

[FarmallPete]

Saw an ad in local paper, for a 55-57 powerglide tranny w/convertor. My 58 Belair has a piece o shit turboglide, I think it needs new seals but don't know shit about trannys. Is this powerglide a bolt in, or what kinda mods will have to be made?? I've got to do something so I can drive my ride without it puking it's fluid all over the driveway when I get done riding around.
Thanks

Farmall

[Max Gearhead]

It's been a long time since I had a Turboglide but I think that the Turboglide engines had different crankshafts than the Powerglide and stick cars. The hole in the middle of the crank/flywheel flange is larger in diameter on the Turboglide than the rest. I've converted them to use a stick trans by just having a bigger pilot bushing made but I don't know what you could do to convert to a Powerglide. Anyone done this swap? Max

[Travis]

Turboglides bolted right up to the V8 engines and without an adapter. The starter was bolted to the block. The flexplate is different. But everything else is the same. If I were you I'd try looking for an aluminum PG. You'd also need to change the linkage from the column to the tranny. I had a TG bolted to a 348. Traded it to a guy I know for two rebuilt PG's and I just took a 14" flexplate (168 tooth), an aluminum PG, the linkage setup from a 63 Impala (column shift) and it all bolted right into my 59 Parkwood with no problems.

Travis

[Scotch]

I tried to do this once under my 58 Impala. I had an alum. case PG, the right flywheel, converter, etc.

It didn't fit due to lack of clearance w/ the floorpan (the alum. case PGs were different than the cast iron case moadels), and none of the shift linkage was anywhere close. It would have required crossmember mods (minor, but there) and probably a different driveshaft too (I never got that far).

I went ahead and had the Turboglide rebuilt. It's still in the car and working fine, but it's only been 20 years. It could still fuck up...

Seriously, unless you're willing to invest in all the stuff to do this right (floorpan dimples, crossmember, linkage, and driveshaft), its not worth it. A cast-iron case PG could be found for a '58 with all the right stuff, but it's still a PG.

I say either rebuild the TG (a functional, if not inefficient, trans) or step up to T-350/400 or even a later O/D non-computer box (like a 700-R4 or 200/4-R).

Swapping a TG for a PG is hardly worth the effort. If you're going to do the work, get at least 3 speeds.

Scotch~!

[JOECOOL]

WHOA WHOA, 55-57's had side mounts and 58 had a crossmember mount if I am thinking right.
Anyway put an aluminum PG in it . they are a good trans ,easy to build and still aren't to much $'s.
Anyway check on the mount stuff because I think you are not going to have anywhere near a boltin.

[Travis]

That's odd that the aluminum case PG didn't fit. The mine just slid in like it belonged there and I didn't have to chop anything up. I actually toasted my cast iron PG, so I tossed it out and threw in a T350. I freaking HATED it... I could never get it to shift right (went 1st to second OK, and then it would literally skip second and go to 3rd) and I finally got pissed off at it and threw that out (it was rebuilt, too!) and I put in a rebuilt aluminum PG. It's been 5 years now and I love it. I don't go racing and it still got me to 115mph http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif a few weeks ago and it's alright.

As for the Turboglides. The bad thing about Turboglides is that they are actually a good transmission. People just don't know how to use them properly. The problem comes in when you shift to the 'Gr' gear, which stands for Grade Retard. You're not supposed to use it as a passing gear, as dropping it down in gear to 'Gr' and stomping on the gas to pass someone promptly blows out seals and other unpleasant things. It's supposed to be used for when you are going down a steep hill and to save your brakes, you shift it down to 'Gr' and then let it coast down.

or at least... that's what I was told. If you just drove it properly, it's a great transmission.

Travis

[FarmallPete]

Looks like I should just get it rebuilt, the tranny works great, I kinda like the turbine whine it has when idling, it's just after you drive it for awhile it decides it'd like to throw up all over the floor or you park it for the day, not coming from the fill tube, so I'm assuming it's a seal. I'm really thinking of selling the car to help pay for an upcoming wedding, my own!, and get something later down the line. I was just hoping this tranny I found in the paper would be a simple and easy fix. Guess not if it has different mounts.

thanks for all the info

Farmall

[BELLM]

The 55-57 powerglide is cast iron, has side mounts. Fidx the one you gots!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif