The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop PowerGlide

Seems that today most folks have a distaste for PowerGlide trannies for a few good reasons. I have a buddy with one hooked up to a 350 in his AD and it works very well. I have a chance to get one at a good price to stick behind my 1956 era 235. The motor is stock and the truck is never driven hard or above 50 mph. Wondering if I really need a TH350 or 700 in this case.

I had a 56 BelAir a few years ago.It had a 235 and PG.Wasnt much good for drag racing,but moved right along.

Alright, got my curiousity up...can I hook up an old powerglide to my 54 235 without too much work? currently has a 4spd and gave up drag racing for cruising since i'm six years older than the truck

There are two different Powerglides out there. The early cast iron ones and the later alloy case ones.

The cast iron version was used behind a 235 so putting one behind yours would be easy. However, they were not great transmissions and aren't easy to find parts for.

The later one can be put behind a 235 using the same adapter used to put a TH350 for 700R4 behind a 235.

Thanks, OldSub...don't have facilities for a lot of machine work, so was looking for something as easy a swap as possible..do have access to a bone yard, so just need some info on what to look for...I've got some books, and ordered more, but don't have anything on a trans adapter..that old 4spd is working just fine, but would kinda just like to use my armstrong power steering with the cowl vent open..might be willing to trade this trans, if i can get some help on a auto install

shooper, go to www.stoveboltengineco.com for the adapter. i also think there is tech page on it. hope this helps. also buffaloenterprises offers one i dont't know much about them.. there are some threads in the search area on this site. put in trans adapter and the pages will come up. lots of comments there good and bad.

shooper, btw there is abook put out by tex smith written by rich johnson called how to build chevy hot rods, book one. mine is so old there may be a book 2 or 3. a whole chapter is devoted to transmissions auto and stick. sizes uses and gear ratios. they also say the pg was used for up to 400hp and also the 4cyl vegas.because being used for drag racing a lot of parts are availble. langdons has a how to section they explains all about changing to auto.

Thanks, We b Old..seen a lot of pg's in drag racing through the years...also, went to Langdons site, and they want $350.00 for an adapter..I don't think so...just want something different than this 4spd without messing with my rearend...I like the 3.90..appreciate your help bro..

Olblu,
I don't have any experience with powerglides, but what I hear by word of mouth says the things are just about indestructable. A lot of circle track and drag racers use them, so they have to be good for lots of torque and horsepower. The final drive ratio is 1:1, so the cruising RPMs won't be any different than a normal (non-overdrive) tranny. The biggest drawback to the PG is that since it only has two speeds, it doesn't accelerate nearly as well as other trannies.

If you go to all of the expense of adapting a powerglide to a 235, put a th350 in instead. They're a dime a dozen, easy to find, have 3 gears and are every bit as tough as a 'glide. I built one and had it behind 400 h.p. in my old Impala and it was the only thing that I never broke. Just my 2 cents worth,
Scott

shooper , then try www.patricksantiquecars.com, may not be much cheaper but you can keep the torgue tube. wish he had this when i started 20 yrs ago. ron

WE b OLD...don't have a torque tube...open drive shaft w/center bearing...waiting for my Patricks catalog to arrive...thanks for info

If you wanna keep the 3.90s then a 700R4 is for you.A PG or 350 is a 1 to 1 coming out of the tranny,whereas the 700R4 is approx .78 to 1

Thanks dale937..can you fill me in on that 700R4..what was it originally in so I can go junkyard shopping?

I traded for mine,it is supposed to be out of a late 80s Chevy PU.The guy I got it from rebuilt it.It is in my 55 2nd with a 350 engine and stock rear,3.90 gears and it runs right along with the fast traffic,plus with the low gear in the 700R4 it jumps right out there from a dead stop.

How does the size of the PowerGlide compare to a TH350? I mentioned putting in a PG this morning and the general consensus was that the TH350 was more readily available and probably the same size.

Should be a direct bolt in if the 'glide is already installed, with the exception of the driveshaft yoke. It has a different spline count. If you buy one from a yard, just be sure to get the driveshaft that came with it (for the yoke).
Scott

My 2 cents, I have heard the very early cast iron glides with torque tubes were air cooled.
The later alloy cases required fluid cooling by the radiator.