This post is to correct a misconception about swapping the 1937 Pontiac Transmission top cover plate to later model Pontiac transmissions. I have seen several posts in this forum and others, indicating how to convert the later trans to a floor shift by using the earlier transmission's top plate. Needing a floor shifter to replace the cobb job someone made on mine, I obtained the 37 transmission to do the swap and discovered that it isn't so. It may be true on Buick or Oldsmobile transmissions but not on the five bolt Pontiac covers. Here are pics showing the differences between the earlier and later transmissions. I assume the 38 transmission is the same. If anyone knows the 1938 trans is like the later ones, please post a pic. Since swapping top plates was out, I was hoping I could swap tailshafts so I could use the 37 tranny without the torque tube, but the 48 tailshaft housing is a different part altogether. Note the upper left bolt is in a totally different location. Actually, if you look at the pics carefully, you can tell that the two transmissions are quite different in many areas. For the five guys in the next ten years, this post is for you. Hopefully my money spent will save someone else some aggravation. Here's our hotrod that has the Pontiac straight eight and three speed. The homemade shifter is all but unusable, but we'll sort it out eventually.
The Jalopy Journal
