When building a mid 50's custom from an early 50's Chevy, in the interest of keeping it "period", is retaining the stock Powerglide realistic in today's world.
Power glides rock..Buddy had a 68 chevelle had one... was great trans... and easy on gas to...but boy first gear is a lots fun because it last sooooo long.......
There pretty good 2speed trannys,the Vet one had a higher 1st. so is best one=less gap between 1st and Dr.,the alum case one is nice too
An aluminum case 'glide won't work with his early enclosed driveshaft, so he's stuck with the cast iron chunk. If memory serves, the '50-'52 'glides didn't shift from low to high in Drive range---they just started out in high and stayed there (can you say moving like a speeding glacier?). In '53, they wised up and made it a full fledged low to high automatic. Early Dynaflows acted the same way.
o.k. I agree...so I would definately change to open drive line...plus the availability of new parts....d32
With a 56 block, you're pretty much stuck with the cast iron Powerglide,unless you use the adapter plate most of the tri-five vendors sell ($100.00). The 265's did'nt have block mounted starters, and there's not enough of a "starter motor pad" on those blocks to drill one for block mounted. It would be cool to find a COMPLETE cast iron 4-speed hydramatic (Hydro) to use in place of a Glide. Do you have the Powerglide? If not, P.M. me, and I'll connect you with someone that can help. Is there a reason NOT to use a manual trans setup? Butch/56sedandelivery.
to adress the previous replys,a 50's cast iron powerglide is nothing like a 60's powerglide,two different things,,i had one in a 57 not to long ago(they are reverse shift pattern) wish it had something else in it ,but it had been rebuilt so left it in it(plus like mentioned,i woulda needed the adapeter ring,when it comes to cars like that(imho) when it comes to running an automatic trans,doesnt make a difference has far as origionallity(unless you are building a 100% resto) its a powerglide or a 350/400/700,,,you cant see it ,but the later will make driving so much more enjoyable...
got no use for a cast iron but the aluminum case is probably the most successful trans in drag racing. I have built them for round track and street rods, looking for one now to have laid back,
Nothing at all wrong with a powerglide. If you want to convert to open drive, just swap in an aluminum glide. Even racing is viable with one. Many very fast cars use them.
We've had one in our '68 Camaro for over 300,000 miles. Works just fine behind a 300HP plus smallblock.................rebuilt it once in 1982
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