Cast Iron Power glide

[vintagerollersc10]

I have a 54 3100 truck with a 235ci and granny low 4 spd trans. I also have a fresh rebuilt cast iron powerglide. I want to put it in my truck so my question is will that trans bolt up to my 235 and if so what else will I need (flywheel starter ect...). I also have a 6 lug rear axle I will be using as well so I can remove the torque tube rear end

Thanks for any info you can give me

[curmudgeon]

The only automatic available with the 54 truck was the Hydramatic, but the cast iron powerglides were available in the Chevy sedans, Bel Airs. You need to know if your powerglide originally mated to a 6 cyl or the 265. If it was from a 6 cyl engine I believe that there was an adapter ring to mate to the older stovebolt pattern, otherwise it would have the standard later GM trans bolt pattern.

Although I personally feel that a newer 700R4 or even TH350 would be a better trans choice if you are going to the trouble to source a new flexplate, starter, driveshaft and rear end. (I realize that the powerglide is a fresh rebuild but TH350's are inexpensive and easy to find).

Mr. Langdon has the adapter for the newer trans if you are interested:
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/trannyswap.htm

[franken]

Why would anyone want to use a PG, and an iron one at that in a 235 truck (small engine, heavy vehicle)?
The PG 1st is probably between 2nd and 3rd on the manual trans so starting from a stop, you'll need a snack before getting to 40MPH.
Completely the wrong combination of engine, trans, and vehicle.

[tmoble]

What Franken said. The only good reason to do this is if you have all the parts laying on the floor and tranny in the truck falls apart or something.

[Speedbumpauto]

There is NO good reason to do this. Slap yourself and start over tomorrow. That glide might be worth money to someone doing a correct restoration of a 50's passenger car. You could use that money to get a TH-350. I personally don't think the 235 would pull the OD in a 700R trans.

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by vintagerollersc10

I have a 54 3100 truck with a 235ci and granny low 4 spd trans. I also have a fresh rebuilt cast iron powerglide. I want to put it in my truck so my question is will that trans bolt up to my 235 and if so what else will I need (flywheel starter ect...). I also have a 6 lug rear axle I will be using as well so I can remove the torque tube rear end

Thanks for any info you can give me

To answer the question
The PG needs an adapter for the 235 that bolts to the back of the motor and the front of the trans. It also takes a special fly wheel/converter plate.

So PG trans has a torque tube setup on them so if yours does not the axle will work, if the trans has a torque tube end on it you need the stock axle/tube if its the correct length. The better trans swap is a 700R4 with a later model rear axle. They make the adapter for the 700R4 setup

[chevyguyase]

I have a '54 3100 that had a granny gear 4 speed in it and I put a 5 speed Borg Warner in it. It is a relatively easy swap and the junk yards are full of them. Just google 5 speed in a AD truck, there is a lot of info out there on this swap. Just throwing out there something else that's doable and your truck already has a stick shift. I agree with the others, I would not do the cast iron PG. I'll watch this thread if you want more info.

[vintagerollersc10]

Ok Ok..... I get it... Slapped myself and it s another day. I have been asking around and the PG is a bad choice....So I do have a line on a
700r4 from a 4.3 S-10. I understand this should work but then The folks at Langdons informed me that being a "54" 235 that came stock with a 4spd granny gear trans that i will need to measure the crank shaft because it may not work???? something about some of the 54s had a crank specific to the manual trans. so is this true? if so haow do I find out with out taking the trans out and looking at crankshaft... after all this is a daily driver for me so I am not wanting to have the truck down any longer than necessary.

I also was wondering if I could just put in that later model rear end that I have that is a "open" drive line. since there really isnt anything wrong with the 4 spd in it just looking to lower my rpms at highway speeds. I f i did this is there a adapter to let this trans accept a regular u joint.

Thanks t everyone for their "strong" recommendations and comments LOL!!

[dwcsr]

54 was an odd motor. many parts for earlier and later 235s don't fit it.