Modern chassis and engine for 63 shortbed

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

Originally Posted by 19GMC63

why a powerglide?
A 700r4 or a T5 or any other OD tranny would be the ticket for him.

It was the "base" 2-speed automatic transmission, and very popular. It is a reliable, economical, smooth transmission and capable of very respectable performance. The Powerglide in "built mode" form was the preferred drag-race transmission for quite a few years, and is still popular for drag racing. The Powerglide is a 2 speed automatic transmission that was first used in Chevrolet cars of the day and has now become a staple drag racing transmission among enthusiast straight liners. The Powerglide is simple and strong, which explains why drag racers like it so much. Around 1960, GM began making aluminum Powerglides. They were first introduced in cast iron. Powerglides were usually put behind small-block Chevrolet V8s and inline six cylinder engines. By the late 1960s buyers were demanding three-speed transmissions. It was GM's 1st auto transmission.. It had 2 foward gears with close ratios between the gears.
It was used on 6 cyl, small block v8's and big block v8's
1st gear ratio for v8 glides was a 1.76
second gear was a 1.00
For all the 6 cyl and later 4cyl vega engines the glide has a 1.82 1st gear ratio and the same 1.00 second gear
It started in 1950 and up untill 1957 it was the only auto, then chevy let out a Hydra-Matic 3 speed for an option on '57-60 (or might have been '61) V8's. IIRC it didnt do too well and had alot of failures in the 1st 2 years or so..
Then the 'glide was again chevys only auto trans up till 1965 when they built the TH-400 3 speed auto..
Then in '69 they built the th-350 3 speed auto for lighter duty V8 use..
The glide stayed around till the early 70's but only used on 6 cyl engines and the 4 cyl vega.
Now jump to the last 20 years, the power glide is still in use in some racing.. It's a light transmission, small trans, simple, few parts, and pretty strong... Also the high gear ratio makes launching a very high HP/TQ car taming and there for better traction.. (think 800 HP here)
Also the gear spread is short so RPMs don't fall off as much on the 1-2 shift.

If he had the inline 6 / powerglide combo plus between a 3.08--370 gear, it might help alot.
But there are alot of stuff to do to be fuel effcient. Like Captainfab says.. HEI ignition system.
Engine--Exhaust--Trans--Gear--Tire Size.

1940–1967 Hydra-Matic — Oldsmobile (now the trade name for all GM automatic transmissions)
1948–1964 Dynaflow — Buick
1958–1959 Flightpitch — Buick
1961–1963 Dual Path Turbine Drive — Buick
1950–1973 Powerglide — Chevrolet (also used by Pontiac)
1961–1964 Roto Hydramatic — Oldsmobile/Pontiac
1964–1969 Super Turbine 300 — Buick/Oldsmobile/Pontiac (Oldsmobile Jetaway)
Transmission Identification By Pan

1 Aluminum Powerglide 14 bolts

2 TH200 Metric 11 bolts

3 TH350 13 bolts

4 TH400 13 bolts

5 TH200-4R 16 bolts

6 TH700-R4, 4L60, 4L60E 16 bolts

7 4L80E 17 bolts


Transmission Dimensions

[19GMC63]

I understand why drag racers use it (only one gear shift shift to worry about), but IMO, I don't think that's the OP's goal here. He's not pushing any serious HP or TQ, so strength or performance isn't the issue here. The PG's final gear is still 1.00, so the OP would see no economical gain. Going from a 1.00 to .70 OD would be a much bigger change than from a 4.10 to even as high as a 3.08 diff. ratio.

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

Originally Posted by 19GMC63

I understand why drag racers use it (only one gear shift shift to worry about), but IMO, I don't think that's the OP's goal here. He's not pushing any serious HP or TQ, so strength or performance isn't the issue here. The PG's final gear is still 1.00, so the OP would see no economical gain. Going from a 1.00 to .70 OD would be a much bigger change than from a 4.10 to even as high as a 3.08 diff. ratio.

I agree! My dad had a 1970 Chevy long bed with a stock 235 inline 6cylinder with a Powerglide that he put in. She did pretty fare on the gas milage. I borrowed the engine and trans out of that 70, and put it into my 62! Teehee. You don't have to beef them up. Leave the engine/trans combo stock. Just a thought. I think I was told once that a 350Turbo takes 30 or 35 hp to operate it. Anyhooot, just thought I would metion it.

[MacAttack]

Originally Posted by protrash64

This isnt NASCAR......

Originally Posted by joe231

sorry, couldn't help myself..................

Originally Posted by jason65

A Honda or Toyota motor in our style of trucks = a flaming bag of crap on your door step.

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Honda or Toyota engine.....

If you drive 25,000 miles per year (or are paying $4.00 per gallon for fuel) this might be a real issue - if not - it’s not.

[Imperial Kustom]

As mentioned earlier, the four cylinder versus V-8 Torque figures kinda outweigh the use of said four cylinder. With the lower torque numbers of a four cylinder motor, it is going to take a heavier foot to get moving and sustain speed, therefore using more fuel. In my '63, I run a very mild 350, and I am knocking on the door of 20 mpg without overdrive. A six popper can achieve excellent mileage figures as well. They respond surprisingly well to mild cam changes and four barrel or multiple carburetors to get into the mid 20 mpg realm.

[aboz]

So am I wasting my time with the mono jet carb? Isn't there a company that makes an intake manifold for old straight sixes with a built in mount for 2 and four barrel carbs? I was told you can actually get better MPG from a bigger carb if you don't put your foot in it. I really don't want to scrap my 250 for a V-8. It just looks so damn good and I love working on it. Tell me more about a mild cam for my engine.

[poncho_villa]

Try this link for high performance goodies to wake up the 6 and perhaps increase the fuel mileage.....providing you baby that juice pedal.

http://www.cliffordperformance.net/M.../merchant.mvc?

[jason65]

I got a good one for ya. Bolt 4 HD twin cam 88 together to form a v8. Then youll have the baddest truck in your town.