If I replace a 3 Speend manual tranny in a 1954 chev with a powerglide?

Question

DO I need a specific converter and flex plate etc to suit the 250 Chevy engine I have already in, or will anything do?

Answer 1

Well you need a stock powerglide converter and new bolts to fit it, the flex plate has to be for a 250/ 6 cylinder engine with the same amount of teeth as your old standard flywheel or you will need to change the starter.and new bolts with star washers for the new flex plate.you may have to pull the pilot bushing/bearing out of the rear of the crank so the nub on the converter can seat in the crank properly. also do not forget about hooking up the kick down/ passing gear linkage ( or you'll burn up the tranny) and run the modulator line for smooth up shifts and hook up a neutral safety switch so it can't start while in gear. and transmission cooler lines and cooler ( if the radiator doesn't have one in it)

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

The other answerer was partially right but there are nice after market choices. Myself if you want something a little more innovative I would suggest a Vega torque converter and marry it to a standard 350 v8 flywheel. But remember you have to take out that pilot bearing before you install the flywheel.

What will get a little tricky is finding the automatic transmission cross member. Might have to weld something there. Then you have drive shaft differences. Putting in a floor shifter some sort. or changing the column.

Answer 3

1.) converter and flex plate both needed to match the powerglide.

2.) radiator with trans line connectors, or a seperate trans cooler...

3.) different shifter

4.) are the two trans the same exact length? [if not also shorten/lengthen driveshaft as needed.]

5.) does this help any?

Answer 4

What year P/G, and what year 250?

I don't think the early p/g's are known for strength. Hope you have a later version from the 60's.

Answer 5

i own a shop,and you,ll need one for a 6 cylinder for it,most of the older 6 cylinder ones was the same ,there for about 20 years all that stuff would interchange,but you have one other problem with it also,and that's getting a cross member under it,you,ll find this an interesting job to do,good luck,i hope this helps.