1955 plymouth

I have a 1955 Plymouth Belvadere With a bad tranny. I was wondering what other transmissions would interchange with it?? The later model torqueflights? Any help would be appriceated.

 

What engine/trans do you have now?

Mopars from that era had very poor interchangeability...you can't just bolt on a later torqueflite, usually it takes adapters, special starters and flywheels, hard to find spacers, etc.

 

It has the original motor, was it a 277 v-8? With a power flyte auto.

 

Early Hemi and early A- engines share the same bellhousing and crankshaft flange up to '62. If you want a late TF then an adapter is required.
Since your 55 has a front engine mount you might want to use mounts at/near the bellhousing. The adapter we make is 0.700" thick steel so mid mounts are easy to attach.
Also, keep in mind that with a late starter you'll need to provide 12v to crank it, and a late trans will then require a late rear to provide an e-brake.

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What about the flywheel and torque converter?

 

If it's a '55 I *think* it'll be a 260 v-8. Someone with more knowledge than I can feel free to correct me, but I think the 277 was in '56 up. The 260 is what I was told was in my '55. I think it's a cool mill.

 

The typical adapter package should have, at a minmum:
1. Block adapter
2. Crank flange adapter
3. Crank bolts
4. Bellhousing bolts

Because there are about a dozen adapters available, each will have some variation on what they consider to be part of the 'package'. For example, our adapter uses a 426 Hemi flexplate (oem or aftermarket) so we can provide it or you can source it. Some kits have special flexplates that are 'one-offs', available only from the adapter mfgr.

Again, generally, the converter will be any factory available unit for the trans you select. There should not be any special converter requirements for a trans adapter.

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Close, a '55 Plym would have a Dodge based 259. The comments about tranny interchange is the same. A 259 can be converted to Hemi(assuming the original wasn't swapped out for a 277A Poly).

 

Instead of screwing aroung with all the adapters etc, why not get the one that it came with rebuilt?

 

It's a less than impressive 2 speed.

 

Quite often the parts are not available and the expense of rebuilding the early automatic may be way more than using an adapter and a late trans.
Plus finding someone who can work on the early trans and do it right can be an issue now.

For a 100% original restoration, yes that would be the way to go but for a cruiser a guy has to be practical in most cases.

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All 1954-1955 Dodge, Plymouth, Chrysler and Desoto PowerFlite transmissions are interchangeable. A types are light duty and B types for medium duty.

 

I never heard of a A and B type powerflite .. is the "b type " medium duty the truck version?

 

I am contemplating exchanging the Powerflite in my 54 Chrysler for the early cast iron Torqueflite. From what I see when I compare the spare Powerflite with the cast iron torqueflite, I see only a 1/4" length difference. The torqueflite should bolt right up to the Powerflite bell housing, and the drive sleeve should engage just fine. So that might be your best bet for another transmission