This being a technical website, we prefer to talk in technical terms. The original poster said he has a "HydraMatic". I don't see how anyone could mistake that as a slang term for 'Powerglide'.
I agree it seems a sin to modify an unmolested truck, most especially a first year Hydra-Matic. There was a guy on here a few years ago that bought a running '54 Hydra-Matic that I was familiar with, tore it all to pieces with big plans for a hot rod then ended up parting it out. It made me sick .
I think if you want a hot rod you should find a hull somewhere that is not running and save it from the scrapper. Leave the unmolested originals unmolested.
