Hot Rods Chevy 283 --What trans should I use??

Hey Guys,

I have a 1960 Chevy 283 that I am using in my 29 roadster build. I am looking to see what the best Auto transmission/starter/flex plate option to use is....My apologies if this is an elementary question. Not that it matters, but I am running triple 48 strombergs with an original offy intake. I am wanting to build a driver, nothing too over the top.

Thanks,
Trevor

 

350 turbo, plentiful and easy.

 

yes to a th350

use a 153 tooth flexplate and a straight across bolt starter

 

TH350 is pretty modern for that engine, eh? It was not introduced until 1969, and the 283 was history by then.

But only a few of us weirdos worry about stuff like that.

Iron powerglide would be killer....

 

im with alloy glide not as dam heavy

 

Go with the 700r4...........

But really another vote for the aluminum powerglide.....started in 1963.

 

Not enough information

 

or a TH200 4R........

 

What do you want to do with it? Around town, road tripper,high speeds(freeway) lower speeds,transportation, etc?
I always hated the 2 spd powerglides on the street for acceleration & gas mileage. Just around town , I'd go for a 350 TH, on the road at higher speeds, a 350 TH or an overdrive auto. also rear ratio depends on majority use and trans

 

I like the aluminum powerglides. They are tough. I have several and one 56 cast iron glide in the hoard.

 

The Power glide is what was used behind the 283 but I like the idea of a third gear,our 4 door hiboy sedan had a 283/350 turbo and it's a great combo. HRP

 

Th350. Save the pg for the drag racers. Th350 is a no-brained.

 

Be really different and run a turboglide. 283's like a 3 speed automatic.

 

4 speed. Saginaw are cheap and will handle the 283 just right.

 

Be a little different and drop in a 3 speed Manual.

Sent from my SM-J700T1 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

If it were mine??? Yeah, 4-speed!

 

Run a Hydro out of a truck

 

southcross2631, Turboglides are not 3 speeds. Besides they are garbage. I've never seen anything with a Turboglide that could get out of it own way. Back in the day lots were replaced by Chevy dealers with powerglides.

Gary

 

I've had PG, 3spds, & 4spds behind a 283. The 283 really benefits with a gear (or two)between low & high. It liked the 3spd, absolutely loved the 4spd. If auto is a must, I guess the TH350 is the obvious choice. But man, if a manual is even a remote option, I'd hunt me down a 4 gear and be smilin' all day.

 

This will not work on a 1960 283 - while there are 3 bolt holes on the pad, the inside one is in a different location than later blocks and the "straight across" starter/153 tooth flywheel wont work

 

Roger that.
I spose in some applications a powerglide will work ok, but I just don't see why people would reccomend one, they are a bit of a dinosaur anymore, besides, the turbo 350 occupies the same real estate as a glide and parts will be available anywhere you go.
Free powerglide or not you'll just have to ultimately swap because you will hate it once you drive a turbo 350 equipped car.
My 66 Suburban was originally a 283/glide, that thing was an absolute dog, never could find a "sweet spot" for drivability.

 

My '66 deuce was the same, even in a relatively light car. Embarrassing....

 

gearheads suffered a LONG time with the 2-speed box--i vote 350!

 

you are correct, i had forgot about that. i had that issue on a `59 block years ago. drilled/taped a new hole

both my `30 coupe and `36 have 283's with th350 transmissions...the `36 has a `66 block and the `30 has a `67 block....no problem with a 153 flexplate/straight across starter

 

that's exactly why I recommended it. After all, he's planning to run Strombergs! A TH350 would present a technology clash.

A three speed manual is what the car really needs...the iron PG recommendation was sort of a joke.

 

I know Jim, but the whole "tradition thing" gets kind of contradictory in some circles.
The same people that whine about things like turbo 350's, etc. have no problem putting those lame gennie type shifters in their "real" hot rods.

 

Yup. Everyone knows you gotta build your own shifter....

 

Or a 3 speed would work too.

I am on the fence, the 350 turbohydro is a good match, and they came behind 307s which are just stroked 283s (LOL ) I ran a lot of power slips clear into the '70s because they were cheap and plentiful. To tell the truth that is where my love affair came with the Saginaw 3 or 4 gear they were also cheap and plentiful.

There is another high dollar option, the 4 speed hydromatic came in 283 powered pickup trucks. They are a heavy pig (like in the 180 to 200 pound range heavy) but you absolutely cannot beat one for traditional or cool factor.

 

The big problem with the Hydro is finding one. Same with a Turboglide

 

They are available enough, finding the Chevy adapter is the problem. But I got a line on one now ( the adapter) if someone needed to build a hydro backed chevy worse than I do.

You are correct sir hard to locate worth the money. The power slide is the cheapest and easiest answer or the T-350 if that doesn't bother you.