Powerglide
Thread Starter
54 Vette Rod
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 7
From: Orlando/Sebastian FL
Powerglide
I believe I am going to pull the 3 speed out of my 54 and put back in a powerglide.
Is there a difference in a powerglide that was in a 53-55 vette vs a passenger car? The car does not have the original block, so at this point I do not mind putting in a tranny that works without breaking the bank. Are the linkage hook ups the same? I can buy the 54 shifter set up just need to know what year powerglides it will bolt up to.
Any help is greatly appreciated. I have searched but have not come up with these answers.
Thanks
Is there a difference in a powerglide that was in a 53-55 vette vs a passenger car? The car does not have the original block, so at this point I do not mind putting in a tranny that works without breaking the bank. Are the linkage hook ups the same? I can buy the 54 shifter set up just need to know what year powerglides it will bolt up to.
Any help is greatly appreciated. I have searched but have not come up with these answers.
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,424
Likes: 8,875
From: northern california
C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
In '53 and '54, passenger cars used an enclosed driveshaft while the Corvette used an open drive shaft. The transmissions for these cars differed in the tail shaft housing needed to adapt to the two styles of drive shaft.
'55 and later PowerGlides have some design changes compared to the '53/'54 transmissions. As an example, the '55 and later PG units use modern and readily available speedometer gears with a wide range of tooth counts. Not so with '53/'54 PG units; speedo gears for these are difficult to find. You'd probably want to get the later transmission.
No matter what year PowerGlide you get, you have to look specifically for one that has a rear housing with the boss for rear transmission mount.
Good luck,
Jim
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 541
Likes: 2
From: Sparks Nevada
I run a passenger 'Glide in my '55. The tail shaft, converter are different but work in my car. Linkage on a 6 cylinder is different, if your trans came from a 6 that might save you some time scrounging a few parts. Drive shaft may have to be altered. It bolted up to trans mount fine with the cast mounting bracket repro part I bought.
Last edited by ml1955; Mar 25, 2009 at 09:49 AM. Reason: add comment
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,606
Likes: 210
From: Nevada City Ca.
2015 C1 of Year
Altho I don't claim to be a PowerGlide expert, I am aware of some of the differences:
In '53 and '54, passenger cars used an enclosed driveshaft while the Corvette used an open drive shaft. The transmissions for these cars differed in the tail shaft housing needed to adapt to the two styles of drive shaft.
'55 and later PowerGlides have some design changes compared to the '53/'54 transmissions. As an example, the '55 and later PG units use modern and readily available speedometer gears with a wide range of tooth counts. Not so with '53/'54 PG units; speedo gears for these are difficult to find. You'd probably want to get the later transmission.
No matter what year PowerGlide you get, you have to look specifically for one that has a rear housing with the boss for rear transmission mount.
Good luck,
Jim
In '53 and '54, passenger cars used an enclosed driveshaft while the Corvette used an open drive shaft. The transmissions for these cars differed in the tail shaft housing needed to adapt to the two styles of drive shaft.
'55 and later PowerGlides have some design changes compared to the '53/'54 transmissions. As an example, the '55 and later PG units use modern and readily available speedometer gears with a wide range of tooth counts. Not so with '53/'54 PG units; speedo gears for these are difficult to find. You'd probably want to get the later transmission.
No matter what year PowerGlide you get, you have to look specifically for one that has a rear housing with the boss for rear transmission mount.
Good luck,
Jim
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
Original Corvette powerglide stuff is expensive, but you can cobble together enough passenger car parts from 55 and later powerglide cars to make it work right. Won't be original, but it will work fine.
Start looking at 55 / 56 6 cylinder powerglide cars. Most of the parts you need should be there.
As stated before, you may need to modify the driveshaft. If you have your original driveshaft, I suggest not cutting it up. Just have a replacement made.
Start looking at 55 / 56 6 cylinder powerglide cars. Most of the parts you need should be there.
As stated before, you may need to modify the driveshaft. If you have your original driveshaft, I suggest not cutting it up. Just have a replacement made.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
This is the way Chevrolet mounted powerglides in early C1s (through 57, I believe).
Thread Starter
54 Vette Rod
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 7
From: Orlando/Sebastian FL
Will the linkage from a 53-54 original shifter hook up no problems?
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Thread Starter
54 Vette Rod
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 7
From: Orlando/Sebastian FL
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 541
Likes: 2
From: Sparks Nevada
I got my "patch" from Bart in San Jose CA, I think company was something like: 5362 Corvette. Maybe others may remember his contact info.His part saved me a lot of hassles. Eatondolittle@wmconnect.com
Last edited by ml1955; Mar 25, 2009 at 08:04 PM. Reason: add text
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
Thread Starter
54 Vette Rod
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 7
From: Orlando/Sebastian FL
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
Good luck on your project. Let us know how it is going.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
What about the assorted linkage? Where did you get that? Did it all come from Corvette Central? The big issue is the transmission gear selector lever. You need one that has the tab and small hole in it to engage the neutral safety switch.
Thread Starter
54 Vette Rod
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 7
From: Orlando/Sebastian FL
Any pictures you have of any of this would be greatly appreciated. You can send to fourfingersinc@cfl.rr.com
Thanks
Guy
Thanks
Guy
Thread Starter
54 Vette Rod
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 7
From: Orlando/Sebastian FL