TroyPyles

Is there any difference between 6 cylinder and V8 cast iron Powerglide transmissions in the years 55-57?

I know the 53-55 Corvette Powerglides differed from the passenger cars but I wonder if there is any difference between the passenger car 6 cylinder and Passenger car/Corvette V8 Powerglides. Someone suggested the bellhousing part of the case differed as the starter is located lower on a V8 than on a 6. True?

TN Vette

Wouldn't the internals be beefier in the V8 model?

If anyone needs a cast iron power glide, I got a V8 Cast iron powerglide with its original 283 from a D code 60-61 Impala.

scopeli

the difference is the converter housing. the starter is located lower on a V8 than on a 6.

TroyPyles

So the rumor is true. Thanks.

John McGraw

Also, the tailshaft housing is different on any passenger car unit. Only corvettes had provisions to mount the shifter on the tailshaft housing.


Regards, John McGraw

TroyPyles

I have a Powerglide from a 6 cylinder car with the tail shaft to mount the shifter. So this appears to be a hybrid someone put together. But cannot be used in a V8 car.

If I change the bell housing piece for one from a V8 car will that make it like the 56-57 tranny or will there be some casting number differences?

scopeli

55 corvettes have the same tailshaft housings as the passenger cars. 56 and later corvettes need the mounting holes for the shifter.

scopeli

what year corvette are you working on? are you looking for a number correct or just a transmission that will work? turn the transmission upside down and get the numbers of the main case and converter housing(part you been calling the bellhousing) so we know what you have. the maincase you need for 55-57 is 3708134. the converter housing for 55 is 3708188, and 3719243 for 56 and 57. both converter housings can be used for any 55-57 car if you do not care about being number correct.

TroyPyles

This tranny came out of a 53 that was "restored" in the late 70's early 80's. It was missing the drivetrain back then and they put together an engine and tranny. Tranny is a 55 Powerglide.

I guess they thought all Corvettes with a floor shifter had the shifter mounted on the tail piece so they put a tail piece on there to accomodate that. Then after they installed it they would have discovered that the shifter in 53 is mounted to the floor tunnel.