The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline powerglide opinions needed

Any thoughts re powerglide trans? I have a 40 chevy 3/4 ton with a 57 235. I know I will need to swap out my torque tube drivetrain.

Powerglides come in two versions- - - -1950-62 or so had a cast iron case, and some of the early ones actually worked with torque tube rear ends. They had two of everything- - - -too slippy, too heavy, too troublesome, and two speeds- - -too low and too high.

1963-up Powerglides had an aluminum case, were much smoother-shifting, a lot stronger, and would make a better choice for swapping, but they won't bolt up to a 235 without an adapter, and they're still only a 2-speed. A Turbo 350 or a 700-R4 would be a better choice for a swap.
Jerry

Thanks Jerry. The more modern trannys sound like a better choice.

I could not imagine driving mine with a Powerglide and a 235. The T5 makes it run so much better, its like a perfect match. The 200R4 or 700R4 would probably be good.

Chad, is the T5 a simple installation? I know I will need to have a driveline built. My truck is a 3/4 so the wheelbase is 123 and it now has a 2 piece torque tube with 3 speed trans.

crowejam, you need to check out "lugnutz" as I feel he is the
T-5 guru and has extensive write ups, and tips, on this very tranny.

ok thanks

Yes it was very easy. Lugnutz helped me a lot, he is a great asset. He has a GREAT tutorial on his website.

I cannot say enough good things about the T5 behind a 235 engine. My truck is a 1 ton so I had an Eaton HO52 rear end and open driveshaftm That will be your toughest challenge if you have a torque tube setup.

Thanks Chad. I went on Lugnutz website and I agree, he lays it all out for us. I think the T5 is probly what I will do. I want to get rid of my torque tube and get better highway speed too.

If Chevrolet had come up with a T5 in the '40s, the other automakers would not have sold one truck.
It brings the inline 216/235/261 to life. No more high revs before a shift, followed by extended periods of lugging the engine. Every time you shift gears, you are in the optimal range of the power band for these engines.

I am in the process of installing a cast iron Powerglide from a 53 Chevrolet car in a 51 1/2 ton. It will require making a new rear engine cross member to drop down low enough to accommodate the Powerglide. I used 1/8" thick by 2" wide strap to create an I-beam style cross member. The vertical piece is 3/16 plate stock.

The Powerglide mounting flange has 2 bolt holes on each side that are the right size and spacing to bolt the 3 speed motor mounts to.

This cross member is very rigid.

See my photos below.

http://woodlandsoftwaresolutions.com/images/crossmember-1.jpg
http://woodlandsoftwaresolutions.com/images/crossmember-2.jpg
http://woodlandsoftwaresolutions.com/images/crossmember-3.jpg

Hope this helps.

Thanks for those pics. Very nice work!