The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1959 Apache engine and auto trans. change out

I have a 1959 Apache that has an unknown chevy shortblock and supposedly the original transmission. Neither the transmission nor the engine ran very well so I just wanted to change them out with something new or rebuilt and reliable. I am not that interested in staying stock under the hood, the rest of the truck will remain stock. The shop I am using has hit a wall and can't figure out which new transmission and engine combination will fit. I am moving the truck to a shop who has more experience however they told me that if I don't keep the original trans. I will have to mess around with shortening the drive shaft which is a big deal. Can some one tell me what the pitfalls will be and if some one knows of an engine/transmission pair that will go in with the least amount of work. I have hit the wall and after 2 years of trying with a professional mechanic I am really anxious to get the truck running and drive it. Thanks for any help you can give me.

if it really is the original stock trans, 3 speed or 4, any 3 speed up to 68 will bolt right in - later ones will take a finer spline yoke, but still fit - don't think there's any that'd require shortening the shaft, but it's NOT a big deal if you have to, should be lots of shops around that could do it .... any small block will also bolt right in, 283, 327, 350 new or used - find a running small block with a 68+ 3 speed [syncro first, fine spline], get a slip yoke [new or used] and do it yourself, if that mech "can't figure out which new transmission and engine combination will fit" he's not a mechanic, find a one that knows real vehicles to tiddle it up

also, get the casting number from the rear of the block, driver side, and the stamped number on the boss at the front base of the pass side head, someone here will be able to tell you what it is

Bill

Thanks for the quick info. You are confirming my suspicion about the mechanic I chose....the guy works out of a Shell station and repairs lots of old cars mostly imports but he sure isn't motivated with my truck. I'll take you advice and give it to the new guy. thanks again for the help.

PS I would give it a shot and do the work myself however I have a back and leg problem that has really taken the joy out of working with my hands. There are worse things

If you're going to change the trans, you might consider an overdrive automatic like the 700R4 or the 2004R. They require minor relocation of the crossmember and altering the driveshaft length, which by the way is NOT a big deal.

regards,
Leon

If you're going to change the trans, you might consider an overdrive automatic like the 700R4 or the 2004R. They require minor relocation of the crossmember and altering the driveshaft length, which by the way is NOT a big deal.

regards,
Leon

The automatic used in 59 would probably be a dual range Hydramatic, or possibly a Powerglide. How many times does it shift? Also, the shifter quadrant on the steering column will give you a clue which one you've got. If the shift positions are P-N-D-L-R, you've got the Powerglide, which is a 2-speed. The 4-speed Hydramatic will have shifter positions of N-D-S-L-R, or possibly N, 1-4, 1-3, 1-2, and R. Reverse also serves as Park in the Hydramatic when the engine is not running.

Either way, there won't be a bolt-in fit for a later model transmission. The Hydramatic truck is a really rare bird, and it's worth a lot more in original condition than one that's been butchered up with an engine/trans swap. There are some unique parts like different crossmembers, and, I believe, a different size and shape hole in the floorboard for the Hydramatic trucks. Chevy trucks with the Chevrolet engine and the Hydro are very scarce and pretty collectible. GMC's with the V-8 engine and a Hydro used Pontiac engines, not Chevy. I'm not really sure if the 2-speed Powerglide was an option in the trucks in 59, but I don't think so. Be careful with your swap- - - -you might be destroying a very scarce truck that someone would love to have to do an original restoration on!
Jerry

geez, my apologies! didn't pick up 'auto' in the title! HRL is right, if it's original it'll be a hydro, and rare, and it's likely to be an original V8 too, the 283 - and "valuable" as a complete truck ... the hydramatic uses a trans/driveshaft e-brake rather than cables to the rear wheels, and there's a different rear engine cross member, as well as an odd oil cooler that connects to the engine

OTOH, if the trans can't be fixed and the physical problems need the automatic, as Leon sez, a modern one would work - not requiring real major changes .... someone here would likely be glad to take the original trans off your hands
or you could get the trans rebuilt and still swap the engine for any small block, either way a competent mechanic should be able to sort it out in short order

Bill

Thanks to everyone for the info. I know the last owner told me the transmission was original but come to think of it he never told me that the engine had been changed out. The engine has some chrome parts on it and corvette valve covers but it may be the original. The problem with the trans was that it shifted through all of gear within about 20 feet of a dead stop. I guess that might be an easy fix. Now that I know I might have a rare combination that shouldn't be casually discarded I have to rethink everything. The first step would be to have my new mechanic see if he can make the old set up perform. Well thanks again for all the help guys. If I do end up changing out the trans I won't toss it out, I will post it on the board. Al

confused me there Terry! welcome to the garage, but you'll do better if you do a new post, maybe in the engine/driveline forum, save this thread for the original question .... we'll need to know more details, especially just what you're putting the 235 into - helps if you list your truck[s] in your profile
[if you click the edit button at the bottom of your post, you can delete it here]

Bill

Thanks Bill. Am new and will try to learn the protocol.

That too-quick shifting is a throttle pressure issue, probably a piece of linkage from the carburetor to the transmission disconnected or out of adjustment. Look for a dual-range Hydramatic service manual online, preferrably one for the correct-year truck. They were used in a lot of applications, both cars and trucks, so any Hydramatic manual from about 1953 to 55 on the passenger cars, or from 1952-61 or so on the trucks should work pretty well. They were used in Olds, Pontiac, Cadillac, Nash, Chevy and GMC trucks, and some late 40's and early 50's Lincoln applications. Good transmissions, but tricky on adjustments!
Jerry