[55wagoncrazy]

Several months back Mickey reached out to me for some advice on his leaking powerglide. We all know
the issues. Mickey wanted to replace it, but the bigger problem was that he has an inline 6 engine and there
is not much of an option for replacement transmissions with that motor. The best option is to replace both.
Which as it turned out, he wanted to do also. We discussed the best way to go, while staying with what looks
original.
I had a mostly complete 56 power pack motor. Using it solves the oiling issue with the 55 265. We arrived at
building a period looking V-8 engine and using a 350 tranny. Donovan located a really nice one locally
that had been pulled out of a running car, because the owner wanted a newer overdrive.
The build was on. The motor was torn down for complete rebuild. The same for the tranny. Both would be the
responsibility of Donovan for most of the hands on work, with input from me. Most of my time would be used
in details and my knowledge of the older period type power train.
We have been several months working towards this end. Tonight I am just starting the thread, and will add
a few photos. As time progresses I will add in more photos of the past work and bring the tread up to current.

This is a major undertaking as almost every system of the car will be impacted. Stay tuned as we move through
the process to completion.

Mikey

 

[Mturnbo]

Here is the original engine. It runs very well but the powerglide

leaks badly and frequently will not go into reverse.
As the car had been in storage for about 30 years there are a lot of things that have gone bad so my time is spent in getting things repaired.

 

[Tropturq]

Mickey, Mikey, and Donovan have been planning this build for a while. I am really excited to see this project start, as I am anxious to see the engine come together. I know that Mikey is also collecting the other parts necessary to complete this drive-train swap/ upgrade. The 1956 265 engine build will be interesting, in that it will not be totally stock. Donovan is almost a "savant" when it comes to engines, so you know that this will be done right. Original 265 parts (cam, and lifters) are getting very hard to source, so Mikey and Donovan will show us all how to overcome these problems while building a stock looking engine that will be better than stock.

This build gives me and my dog Koda a reason to go up to Mikey's shop for a visit very soon. I also look forward to meeting Mickey when he is in the area. Today we are in the midst of a winter storm, another 4-6 inches are forecast for Wisconsin's Lakeshore area tonight (Thursday). I am now very tired of winter and looking forward to spring. This project will be a welcome diversion.

Steve

 

[55Madman]

I'm looking forward to this project. My first tri-five was a '56 with its original 235/PG - a combination that I seriously wanted to change - but a college kid on a budget with little experience, seemed smarter to just rebuild what was already there. I'll enjoy seeing changes that I wasn't able to make come about here.
JR

 

[55wagoncrazy]

Some of the parts I have already collected: Carb is out to Bob Kunz for complete Restoration.

NOS 12 V coil. Unopened box.

NOS Fuel Filter

Air cleaner

I'll keep posting more photos of the parts we have collected.

Mikey

 

[55wagoncrazy]

New updated 57 and later style distributor with NOS Vac Advance so we can use a hard metal line.

New Cold Case Aluminum Radiator will be painted satin black to look original.

New Aluminized dual exhaust system from Shafer's Classic Parts.

Many of these part I directed Mickey on where to get them. He paid for them and had them shipped directly to me to control costs.

It's my policy that If I don't purchase the parts, I don't mark them up. Mickey purchased parts are at what he paid. In the case of the
exhaust, he got a much better deal through Summit than going direct to Shafer's.

Mikey

 

[55wagoncrazy]

Tranny is finished. WE sent all the hardware out for re-platting. Donovan has made many updated to it. The shift pattern will be more consistent, and
smooth. No hard shifts. We also installed an Aluminum pan with a drain plug.

The case was dry ice blasted to clean it. It will get a matte urethane clear as a finish to seal it.

Mikey

 

[55wagoncrazy]

The engine was deep cleaned. All the machine work was done. The engine is now bored out to accept 57 283 pistons. The rods were all sized and trued.

The rear cam journal was machined like the 57 blocks were. This now allows us to use a later model cam and will also provide a much better oiling system.

The stock crank was so nice it was polished and the oil holes opened a little on the bearing surface. The full rotating assembly was also balanced.

I messed up and forgot to order the new rear main seal. It is now ordered. But because of this mistake, we cannot install the crank and pistons. We did get all the galley plugs installed with special sealer.

We got the last 55-56 rear cam journal plug in the northern half of Wisconsin at NAPA.

Mikey

This is by far the cleanest block I have been around. Looks like it came out of the foundry yesterday!

 

[55GasserCrazy]

If anybody wants any specifics on either the engine or transmission, let me know and I can make another reply.

 

[55wagoncrazy]

I forgot to mention that we will be using a stock 55 4bbl intake to utilize the stock temp sending unit.

Mikey

 

[F.I. 57 Belair]

I am signed up for this build. Can't wait to see the final results. Just wondering, what are you going to do for a starter? Is it possible to drill and tap the 265 for a block mounted starter? From the pictures it looks like it has enough meat to allow it.

 

[55wagoncrazy]

No there is not enough flange for it. So we will be using a starter mounting plate, made for this very conversion.

Mikey

 

[F.I. 57 Belair]

No there is not enough flange for it. So we will be using a starter mounting plate, made for this very conversion.

Mikey

I was not sure, been quite some time since I seen a 265 block.

 

[hotrodg726]

somebody sells a jig to drill the early block to fit a mini starter with a strait bolt pattern

 

[55wagoncrazy]

John,
Who is that "some one" or is it like "I know a guy" ???

Mikey

 

[hotrodg726]

I saw a fixture a few years ago for doing this available from a commercial source, I just can't remember the source.

 

[55wagoncrazy]

I saw a fixture a few years ago for doing this available from a commercial source, I just can't remember the source.

OK....thanks, but I'm no closer........We will use the plate. Because it comes with the adapter for the small crank and later flywheel.

1955 56 CHEVY STARTER MOTOR MOUNTING PLATE for LATE MODEL TRANSMISSION USA MADE | eBay

A starter motor mounting plate for a 55-56 Chevy 265 V-8. If you are installing a later model automatic transmission such as a Turbohydramatic in a 1955-1956 with a 265 V8, the transmission does not have a way to mount the starter as the original Powerglide transmission did.

www.ebay.com

 

[Daredevil]

I love this build!!! Mikey who does your plating? I need some done

 

[55wagoncrazy]

I love this build!!! Mikey who does your plating? I need some done

These people, but I'm not sure you can ship it to them. I deliver it to them already stripped and glass beaded. So the result is great and the
turn around is very quick.

Professional Plating | Appleton | Green Bay | Manitowoc

Professional Plating Inc. is your one stop shop for all of your Plating and Coating Needs in Appleton, Green Bay, Manitowoc and surrounding areas.

www.proplating.com

Mikey

 

[Daredevil]

Thank you very much