The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Auto tranny on a 59 Apache 235

As some of you know I have been working on a '59 Apache with my daughter, trying to make it a daily driver for her. I had planned to install the origional running 235 int the truck with a th350 transmission. I went to order the tranny adapter from Stovebolt Engine Co. and once we got to discussing the installation he advised against using the th350. He said there wasnt much of a first gear and I would not be happy with the performance. Could someone elaborate on this please? he suguested a 200r4 or a 700r4 with the over drive to make it more driveable at highway speeds which I understand , but I thought I would be ok for the rural in town driving getting the daughter back and forth to school and work I wasn't concerned.And I was under the impression that the OD was not an issue with larger diameter rims and a gear change in the rear. Could someone please point me in a good direction. And to all the pureists out there I would have considered leaving the three on the tree, but a 16 yo girl with manual steering and manual brakes didnt need to worry about the thingie on the steering wheel that made it go.

Also could someone please educate me on a Power Glide? wasnt it a 2-speed hi-low that was an option on the trk?

I think the truck automatic option was the Hydramatic with more gears available. The 2 speed Powerglide was for the car.

Tom might be concerned with the rpms needed to get the truck moving using a 235/TH350. It tends to work a little harder to get rolling, but plenty of people have used it. My preference is the 200r4 because it's an easier chassis fit in my opinion.

What open rear are you goung to use?

I was leaving the origional rearend in it for now. not sure where that puts me. I have a rebuilt th350 on the shelf, but I guess I need to start looking for a 200r4. Any other input?

Okay.Well if you already have a 350, use it. It might work out just fine for you. Don't know until you try.

Go with the 700R4, the 200R4 is not rated for truck use. Plus the 700 is much more readily available, as it was used in everything from V8 Camaros, Caprices and Police spec Impalas, as well as S10s and full size GM trucks up to 3/4 ton.

True.Not rated for truck use, but I fiqure he's talking a 235 which the 200r4 can handle.If he's considering a bigger engine switch, then yes, 700R4.

Perhaps. But the 700 is much easier to find, and probably cheaper, too.

If I decide to use the 350 and it does not work well what are my options after that? Is it tear it out and try again or are there other options to make the 350 more compatible?

you might post this in the crash box section too......they seem to want trannie swaps there

Just my opinion but I think the TH350 would work fine with a 235 because the PowerGlides were used in cars with sixes which I think has a higher low range than a TH350 does. I'm sure you can easily check this out but if I'm correct then why not use it especially since you already have it. From your comments it appears this truck is just going to be a people hauler so I'd dismiss the ones mentioned as not being suitable for trucks if you choose to do that.

I don't see any problem with using the 350, either. The 700 does have the advantage of the lower first gear and the overdive, but otherwise, they are actually very similar as far as strength and internals.

well I appreciate the input. I will proceed with the 350. there's gonna be a whole lot more questions come up once the adapter plate shows up so stay tuned. I know nothing about transmissions and such, but what better place to learn than on someone-elses truck. I'm just glad she doesn't read these posts. You guys make my little girl think her dads not so dumb after all ;-)