'55 wagon 327 Auto vs Manual

I'm still in the planning stages of my 1955 chevy 4 door wagon build. I've got a couple of small journal 327 builders, and the car really wants one. I grew up in my dads '55 post with a 327 and a Muncie 4 speed and it was tons of fun.

My problem is this car is supposed to be a fun family car and the wife doesn't do clutches. And, although I don't plan to sell this car, an auto in a wagon makes more sense for resale value.

So, I've been contemplating a 200-4r. Being a bigger, heavier car, I'm concerned that I will be disappointed with the 327 using an automatic. I don't have a cam or stall picked out yet. I'm just talking generalizations for now. Selfishly, I want a TKO.

I've tried searching and haven't come up with much. Please share your experience with 327 auto cars.

 

I'd build the 327 to 300 horse specs, including the 929 cam, keep the stall speed close to stock (low), and keep the rear at 3.55 or 3.70. Should keep everyone happy.

 

200 should be a good reliable ******. IMHO that would be the way to go for a driver wagon with the right gear combo and 300 horses you should not be disappointed.

 

have you thought about teaching wife to drive a stick. couldn't do it at my house but I taught all three daughters to drive a 5 speed tom

 

will run just fine with an auto and a 327. Wife drove her 55 for many years and 80,000 miles with a stout 327(10:1,ported heads, Sig cam,headers.L79 intake)) and a powerglide and ran it quite often at Sears Pt and Fremont--it ran pretty damn quick too. Changed it to a 700R4 a few years back-she liked it better with the glide though. It is in our album.

 

I had a 65 El Camino with a 327/ power glide set up and that thing flat out flew.When it kicked down to "p***ing" gear, the nose would lift up about 3",and it took off like a scalded cat.Don't fall for the "it ain't cool if it doesn't have three pedals" argument- I'll bet a ton of people that come on here have the tried and true 350/350 combo platter from GM.( First time your wife buries the pedal, watch her face!)

 

I've tried teaching her on the tractor, as it's the only manual trans I currently own. Let's put it this way, if the wagon gets a clutch, momma won't drive it; both because she doesn't want to and because I don't want her to!!!

Our daughter is only 8 months old, but she will know how to drive a standard.

Please keep the input coming. I'd really like to hear from someone who switched from a manual to an auto in the same car.

 

No problem with a automatic. HRP

 

I don't anticipate any problems, but will it be as much fun?

 

Find a '55 up V8 hydro setup from a pickup ... a tight dual range hydro is at least as much fun as a 4 speed !

 

For you, probably not. For her, absolutely.

 

Any other 327 automatic guys out there?

 

Just do it. You might be a little (very little) disappointed at first, but you'll get over it. Mama, however, will be very happy for a long time. Taking her into consideration will be a big deal to her. You win.

 

For you No,but you also have to remember if you want to keep your wife interested in old cars she needs to be able to drive the car.

Happy wife,happy life or If momma ain't happy no body is! HRP

 

RE 302 GMC reply-- I believe the 4 spd hydros used in the pickups were mated to the Pontiac engines used. ( BOP bolt pattern )

 

Anyone who actually enjoys shifting gears just hasn't shifted enough of 'em .... yet!

 

That's actually the problem! I'm 33 years old and I haven't had a clutch in about 8 years. I actually miss shifting, as crazy as that might sound!!!

 

Put the auto in this one, work on getting a 2 door post like your dad had for the 4 speed.
Got any pics of the wag? I like em,especially the 4 doors.

 

Rust free AZ car. 70k original miles still has the 265/pg but hasn't ran in a long time.

 

Looks super solid. Now put that auto in it.

 

Love it, Wish I had it and 4 of these.

 

I am actually thinks about buying a set of these to go on the wagon with black walls.

Many years ago I had a set of 5 spokes on the wagon. HRP

 

Kinda hard to tell in this photo but they are there. HRP

 

HRP I love your wagon! Helped me get inspired to build one of my own.

 

Thanks man,It does look different today than it did back in the late 60's. HRP

 

Kinda gettin away from the ops thread here but I think these T70R torq thrust wheels or some polished or chrome 5 spokes would look good on yours HRP.
The little lip at the back of the spokes and the round cap gives a little diffrent fancier look.

 

I recently got my 57 Chevy Wagon back on the road with a 327 2004r combo. Im like you and really wanted a 327 four speed in it, my dad had that combo in a 57 sedan when he was young, but I wanted my wife to be able to drive it. So I built the 327 pretty mildly and went through a transmission out of a Monte Carlo SS. It is fun to drive and at three quarter throttle it will scratch second and third. Ran a 15.00 at the meltdown this summer, slowest thing I own but it was a hoot! But the itch for a four speed held out and before I even had the wagon done I had bought a 56 sedan. Building a hairy 327 for it and bought a muncie at the swap meet during the meltdown.

 

I think every '55 chevy needs a 4spd...........I had a TH350 in mine and pulled it out for a Muncie instead and wish I had done it sooner!

 

I put a 700R4 behind the 350 in my 48 Ford for the same reason, thinking my wife would drive it if it was an automatic. Of the 21,000 miles it has been driven, she drove it once ...about 5 miles. So this winter out comes the 700R4 and in goes the TKO 5 speed. Gotta remember who you are building the car for .

 

I drove a '53 F100 from 1979-1992 with a 327 (350 horse cam, 2.02 heads, etc) and Turbo 400. It had the stock rear end in it (3.92 gears). It would get up and go!
But I love shifting the M20 in my Nomad!