I've got a 48 Chevy, 235 straight 6, 3 speed manual, 3:55 rear. I want to put an auto tranny (maybe a 2004R) in it. Anyone have experience doing this? Do I need to modify the floor for the transmission? Thanks Carl
Don't know if you have done all the research on adding a late model 200 R tranny to a 235, and the tranny to floor pan clearance is your only remaining obstacle. If you have not done all the research ....... Depending on what year 235 you have, the crank center hole opening at the rear of the crank must be 1.70 inches, so torque converter snout can fit. **** Pre '54 235 engines may have a rear crank center hole less than the 1.70 requirement. You'll need an adapter, such as Langdons or Buffalo Enterprises, to mate the 235 to the late model tranny. $360 bucks there for Langdon, Buffalo is more costly.. You'll either need a 12 volt '70 Nova (I believe) starter or a Langdons 12 volt starter $60 bucks there. With the 12 volt starter, you'll now need to do a 12 volt conversion, including 12 volt alternator or generator and battery. Now comes the tranny crossmember modification or replacement, such as a Walton crossmember. You'll need to install a tranny cooler, with its cooler lines. The tranny TV cable needs to be adapted / connected to your carb linkage This TV cable installation / adjustment is critical to the longevity of your 200 R tranny. Decision has to be made to use a floor shifter or adapt your column shifter to handle the automatic. Like you said, you'll still need to see what floor clearance you have. If the floor does not clear the tranny, you will need to "modify" the floor pan configuration. Good luck with your tranny modification. You'll like the automatic.
I have put a T5, a TH350, a TH400, and a 700R4 all under the stock floor. I have both made my own center for the existing crossmember, and used a Walton Fabrications crossmembers, with good results.
The Jalopy Journal
