Ok guys i am wondering if anybody makes a adapter for a 54 chevy trans. I want to drop in a stock 283 v8 and adapt it to my 54 chevy powerglide. Any places or shops that make a kit? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I did some lookin' around, 54HR...but came up with nothin'. Not to say that Bendtsen's or somebody couldn't fix ya up...maybe give 'em a call. Have you searched the Stovebolt forum for an answer? I do know the old iron Powerglide is getting harder to find and it's not considered to be all that dependable, strong or desireable. Easier said than done, but maybe it's a better idea to change out the whole drivetrain. It wouldn't be that difficult or expensive with a sbc, auto trans and later rear. Lots of aftermarket support for that. Or leave it equipped with an early six. Interesting that there used to be so many adapters available to mate a later engine to the early transmissions...and now it's mostly the opposite...early engines to later transmissions.
Ok pete rose has this for sale it is to adapt a sbc to a 3spd. But i was wondering if i could just unpolt it were the 2 peices mate, and bolt it to my glide.? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
That looks like the one that comes on the v8's with a cast iron powerlgide so it should work as long as the bolt pattern is the same as your powerglide.
I know this may sound stupid. Just because i dont feel like changeing the whole drivetrain out. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
That wont work the pump and valve body bolt to the bell. You may be able to use the bell off a 55 and install it on your tranny.
No, not stupid at all. Perfectly understandable. You're trying to install your V8 with as little time, effort and $ as possible. I hope you find a way. It'll be interesting to see if can be done.
they redesigned the PG in 55. They also used a different bellhousing on the 6 and 8 cyl versions, the starter location seems to be the main difference. I doubt you'll be able to do what you want....
Medeling teenagers. Yea i am. They used to make these kits avalible in jc whitney and other parts suppliers. but im buying pete rose's vintage 1954 chevy kit. Iy is to drop in a sbc to a 3spd transmission. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I could be wrong but I think they used an adapter ring between the v-8 block and the powerglide from '55 up on the cast iron versions, check with the tri-5 guys it may fit the '54 trans because guys would swap a later 6 into the early cars.
They used an adapter ring between the block and bellhousing on the 6 and V8 cast iron powerglides. Different bellhousing though....starter was in a different location, high on the six and low on the eight. The later 235 will bolt to the early 235 adapter, since they didn't change the back of the 235 at all over the years.
I was looking at a 1955 chevy adapter plate. Would that work if i use a 1955 chevy cast iron pwerglide adapter to my 54 glide trans. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
You can adapt a 55 iron V8 powerglide to the V8 engine. The 54 powerglide will only fit a 6 cyl engine.
I grew up in the timeframe where if this was a good idea it would have been a popular conversion. I graduated high school in 1962 and the the '54 was still fairly new and the V8's were starting to show up in the wrecking yards from accidents. I don't remember ever seeing it done which says something. My guess it says that the power glide was not a very good transmission and probably not strong enough for the V8 without a lot of modification. I think you would be opening Pandora's box. My advice would be to keep the six or go to an open drive rear end. Charlie Stephens
The powerglides may not be able to handel the 200 hp. Thats why im trying to figure it out. Kepp up with the thoughts. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
The V8 iron powerglides did fine, but they had an open driveline. If you want to see what parts interchange between 54 and 55 powerglides, look here for the illustrations which tell you what group to look at: http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/1929_57chevyparts/57cmpc0337.htm and here for the parts listings, in group order: http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/1929_57chevyparts/57cmpc0378.htm
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