Bolt on alternative to iron PG?

[jimcg]

Is there such an alternative?

I have a 55 with a 283 and cast iron PG. Last time I had it running (last year) I heard a rattling sound from somewhere around the bellhosing. Dave here (dseale4888) told me to check the flexplate to converter bolts and I did - two of them were loose! I have tightened them and hope that has solved the problem but won't know until I am able to start it in a while.

If there should be something wrong with the tranny, finding another cast iron PG in Sweden doesn't seem easy. That's why I wanted to know if for example the next generation of PG (is that year '58 - ?) will fit as it is now, with bellhousing mountings, the starter, yoke and driveshaft lenght and all?

I know there are bolt on conversion kits for the TH350 but I mean bolt on without conversion kit.

[Sweden]

Hi Jim

Have you draind the oil and check so you dont have stuff in it.

Otherwise i would try it, if it wont work propely i would let some company restore it if you want to keep the origanal transmission.

[Rick_L]

The 58-up iron Powerglides won't be a bolt in because the output shaft and tailhousing are about 3" shorter, and they don't have the same provision for the rear motor mount as the 55-57 transmissions.

An aluminum Powerglide from some 60s models is the same length as the 55-57 transmission. (There are other aluminum 'glides that are the same length as 58-? iron Powerglides.) They would need the same adapter pieces as sold for the the TH350. The adaptor kit is a way to adapt to the stock rear engine mounts. If you have an original 55-57 V8 engine, you'd need a starter adapter to enable you to mount the starter. Also you would need a different driveshaft yoke, but the driveshaft itself would be ok.

Is there a particular reason you don't want the adapter and later transmission?

[jimcg]

Originally Posted by Sweden

Hi Jim

Have you draind the oil and check so you dont have stuff in it.

I'll check that if the noise is still there. Hopefully I'll have time to start it tomorrow.

Originally Posted by Rick_L

Is there a particular reason you don't want the adapter and later transmission?

Thanks for the information. The reason is money (or lack of). I'm trying to figure out what would be the cheapest and simplest way to go if my PG turns out to be in a crappy condition.

[jimcg]

Today I started the engine for the first time and the noise was gone - so unless it can't shift or something like that, the PG stays for now.

So the loose bolts on the flexplate was causing the noise - thanks Dave (dseale4888)!

[Sweden]

Hi Jim.

Congrats on starting your engine, Sounds great that the sound was gone.

Have you much left to fix before you can take it to SBP?