th350 or powerglide in low buck t-bucket?

[radarlover]

305-th350 or p/g-9"rear. not sure of rear gears probly 3.00 or 2.73. Which way should I go? I have both, The p/g needs a torque converter but in a light bucket I'll need a higher stall speed any way. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[HOTRODPRIMER]

Go with the 350,,,,,the power glide is a two speed. HRP

[radarlover]

No disrespect HRP but I did know that. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[36-3window]

i'd prefer the t-350 too.....but the powerglide is a good transmission and would fine in your car. i've used several in hot rods and never had a problem.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

If either need a re-build, I think the 350 would be cheaper.

[Roothawg]

I had a glide in my bucket. It was perfect. I could be rollin 45-50 miles an hour and if I felt like runnig someone, I could throw her in low and she would jump!!

[draggin'GTO]

If weight is a concern the 'glide weighs 35 pounds less than a TH350. Personally I would use the 2-speed in a lightweight car.

----- Bart -----

[Roothawg]

Course depends what kinda glide you are talking about aluminum or cast iron....aluminum ONLY!!!

[29EHV8]

Go with the glide,shift once and its over.And remember if your buildin a "traditional car"a t350 is too new.LOL.....Shiny

[McGrath]

As light as that Car is, I would go with the 'glide. I may be wrong, but I don't think the 'glide leach's as much power as a th350 either.

[av8]

The 'Glide consumes 9-10 hp, the THM350 eats up about twice as much.

[Flat Ernie]

Low buck was the question, right? If you've got both, but the PG needs a converter, go with the 350. Also, if you've got those high gears in the back and put tall skinny bias plies on, you'll want the extra gear.

I had a glide in my A roadster, but with the tall tires I had & 3.25 gear, it was sluggish off the line.

Yet someone else's $.02...

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Fat Hack]

TH350 = Cheaper to repair, modify or service

That said, if both trannys are known good units, then I'd run the 'Glide and sell the TH350 to someone else. You'll get enough coin outta that deal to buy stuff you need to finish your car, and 305 in a T-bucket will work great with a Glide and those gears.

[radarlover]

Thanks, the glide is runnin in front for now. The guy I bought it from says it came out of a 61 chevy. Its definatly an aluminum case so either someone stuck a later model trans in the 61 or the guy does'nt know his chevys(not likely). Anyone know how to tell what year or what engine it was built for?
As for the converter I've read that in a car as light as a T that you need a higher stall or else its a handful to hold at a stoplight ect. Does any one know if the stock th350 converter will work? Are there any low cost(stock) convertors that will work? Back in the 70's I seem to remember guys using Vega converters.

[Fat Hack]

Vega converters were the low buck ticket in the 70s for TH350 trannys...but they didn't last too long! You'd get a few passes out of 'em, then they'd ballon out or just plain fail. Nobody really cared because you could get them for $10 at any junkyard! Also, the flexplate needed to be re-drilled to mount the Vega converter.

Use the money you get from selling your TH350 to buy a decent quality, name brand converter with a slight increase over stock stall speed. TCI and B&M bot offer a good, economical converter with about a 2000rpm stall speed that would be PERFECT for a T-bucket.

Alot of things affect true stall speed. Vehicle weight, gear ratio, engine torque, etc. Use a mild converter like I mentioned above and you'll have a tire-melting monster that is plenty tame enough for everyday use. A T-bucket is light, and doesn't need a very loose converter.

[draggin'GTO]

The TH350/TH400 converters won't fit a Powerglide. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

----- Bart -----

[Fat Hack]

Right, Powerglide converters are unique to 'glides.

On a different note, I always wanted to try using one of them cheap old air-cooled Poncho trannys with a 326 mill in a T-bucket...might be okay in such a light car with open air around the drivetrain!

Anyone remember those things???!!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[draggin'GTO]

I took one of the air-cooled Super-Turbine 300 2-speed trannies out of my '64 Tempest, it was hooked up to the original 215-cube six (identical to Chevy with 'PONTIAC' cast into the block). Only the six-bangers were hooked up to the air-cooled ST300 from the factory, mine has the dual pattern BOP/Chevy bellhousing.

They were geared the same as most Powerglides with a 1.76:1 low gear, but few if any parts interchange. Converters from TH350/TH400 trannies will fit the ST300. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

----- Bart -----

[briggs&strattonChev]

[ QUOTE ]
'64 Tempest, it was hooked up to the original 215-cube six (identical to Chevy with 'PONTIAC' cast into the block).

[/ QUOTE ]

I didnt think chevy had a 215, is that true? 216 yes, but definately not in 64. whats up with this?

[draggin'GTO]

The 215 is a Pontiac-only variant of the 194/230/250 Chevy six. It looks exactly like a Chevy engine, but technically it's not a Chevy. Probably because it has its own unique 3.75" bore size, it was offered in the '64 -'65 Tempest and Lemans as the standard engine before the '66 -'69 OHC 230 and 250-inch sixes were introduced.

----- Bart -----

[briggs&strattonChev]

wow, somebody knows their pontiacs, thanks for schooling me Bart!!

[briggs&strattonChev]

by the way bart, do the pontiacs valve covers say "pontiac" on them? if they do, will they bolt onto a chevy 235?

[draggin'GTO]

The valve covers do say 'Pontiac' on them, but it is not stamped into the metal just a clear plastic emblem of sorts. Not sure if it will fit a 235, but if a Chevy 230 valve cover fits a 235 then maybe.

----- Bart -----

[briggs&strattonChev]

alright, thanks buddy