What Did They Do ?

[lou6t4gto]

I bought a 1961 chevy shortbed that someone before me had changed the engine /trans FROM a 283/ cast iron powerglide To a 307 aluminum powerglide. thing is: when they did this, they cut slotts into the trans crossmember to get the trans bolts through, ( the transmission is about 1 " too far back), so the driveshaft is too long to get in. IS a Aluminum powerglide Longer than a Cast Iron unit? could they have used the wrong Engine Mounts? or am I doomed to have to have the driveshaft cut? thanks for your help.

[lou6t4gto]

well, it's definitely Not the motor mounts. that leaves only: the transmission is longer, the driveshaft is wrong(too long), or the rear end has moved forward! any other options anyone can think of?

[stsalvage]

the 1955--57 cast iron trans is shorter but here is one that a lot of people do look on the alum power glide the tail shaft is it long like a foot 12 inches if so thats a Car trans likethis one in the picture the one in my 1965 3/4 ton is the short one that is the truck style one by the way the short tail shaft is stonger then the long one i'ming going to show you 5 pics one is of the short tail shaft and the long tail shaft in the cars and the th350 and th400 700R4

[stsalvage]

now they do make 3 sets of transmissiions the power glide has a long nose and a short nose the th350 has a long and a short and 400 has a long and a short nose but i don't have the th400 long nose but i do have the power glide and th350 long and short just look

[lou6t4gto]

I know the difference of a long tail & short tail trans. thats not the case. this is going from a cast iron powerglide to a short shaft th350. the difference I'm experiencing is only 3/4"-1" longer than the powerglide. making the driveshaft not fit. (now being 1" too long) Looks like I'm going to have to have it shortened.

[lou6t4gto]

who knows, maybe the last guy stuffed the wrong driveshaft in it.