The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 1957 powerglide question

Does anyone know if a Powerglide tranny from a 1957 235 ci engine would fit to a 1953 gmc 228 engine. I don't know what vehicle it came from but is supposed to be in working condition and the price of $75 seems like a good deal. I figure there's enough experts here to have and answer. Thanks.

The transmission should bolt up to the block but I don't know if the flexplate will bolt to the crank. I'm assuming it uses a flexplate.

Does the GMC 228 have a 4 bolt flywheel-crank connection?

I think that Chevrolet 216/235/261 all had 6 bolt flywheel-crank connections.

I think all 228s were 4 bolt. The '54 and later 248s were 6 bolt. But according to Hollander, they won't interchange with Chevrolet.

A 1st. generation Powerglide has two speeds- - - -"too low" and "too high". It's also made of cast iron, which makes it ridiculously heavy. Add to that a notoriously inefficient torque converter, and the burning question would be "Why do you want one?" For about the same cost as making the P/G work, you could adapt a 700R4 and have 4 speeds, including overdrive, and a lockup clutch in the torque converter that's almost like a 5th. gear ratio.
Jerry

Thanks for all the replies. I currently have a 4 speed stick, I think it's a SM420, that my wife can't operate so I was thinking an automatic. I must confess I know squat about trannys but the 700R4 suggested by Jerry sounds interesting. I'll have to do a little more reading and research on the subject.

I had a powerglide behind a 1956 235 stovebolt, another behind a 1960 235 stovebolt, another behind a 1956 with a 350 v8, and yet another behind a 1966 396 v8. They took all the punishment I could give them back then. I also agree that I would rather have a more modern setup. And yes, them babies were quite heavy.

Rick

In the mid-1960's the PG got redesigned- - -aluminum case, a lot more rugged, and more efficient, but still only two speeds. Those transmissions got snapped up by the drag racers and sprint car guys, so they're pretty scarce now.
Jerry