Hey ! Another problem from FRANCE, I have no reverse on my powerglide cast iron (1957) early 2 month ago so I decided to buy another cast iron powerglide (1962) from a friend and three comparaison ! One is P-N-D-L-R for my 57' and P-R-N-D-L for his 62' !!! Two : My 57' mesure 64cm (25,1 inches) and his 61cm (24 inches) Three : My 57' hasn't vac*** modulator and his 62' has one ! So I think that is two powerglide used the same body, housing (Good word ??) but not the same rear extension (Long in 57' and short in 62 if my research was good) Anyone can help me .... ??? Thanks !!! 62 with short rear extension: 57' with long :
In order to install the 62 trans in your 58 since your 57 engine don't have side mounts you will need to buy a set of after market side transmissiom mounts. and weld some side mount brackets to the frame. You could take all the guts out of the 62 ****** and put them in the 57 case. and you still will need some kind of transmission side mounts at the front of bellhousing rear of block location. you really need a 58 or newer engine to mount it with factory parts.
Ok Ive been thinking . Here is more info that might be of help to you. In 1955 all V8 Chevrolets used a four point mounting. Two pedestal mount at the very front and two at the rear of the engine on the bellhousing. This was the mounting for 56 & 57 also. the early engines don't have provisions for engine mounts on the sides of the engine by the first freeze plug. In 58 chevy cars went to a three point mounting. two front mounts on the sides of the block and a single rear mount on the transmission tail housing. A 57 engine will not bolt into a 58 ch***is using factory parts. so you are going to have to devise & fabricate a four point mounting system for your 58 ch***is if you want to use the 57 engine.
Man, you're not having any luck with powerglides, can you find a turbo 350 TH350, in France. Automatic 3 speed. The th350 "should" be the same length as the 57 powerglide. HAMB, please confirm length.
Ok thanks but I looking for what I want to know. I fabricated engine mounting for my 58 for put my 57 engine into. And same for my transmission and it's work good ! My problem was the mesuare between 50/57 and 58/62 cast iron powerglide and that is 50/57 was more long than 58/62 ! So I found today a powerglide transmission of 55 convertible bel air and the mesuare are the same of mine. The seller sell me for 600euros (650$) and its work good. Anybody know if the reverse speed on cast iron powerglide can repair it ? In this picture you can see my mounting engine for put my 57 engine( I use ford mounting for hold it )
I think there is a reverse band apply strut that would break , it was common repair. Pull apart to check for broken strut link or lever .
Shift pattern changed in 58 (?) I think. The difference in length has to do with the X-Frame and 2 piece drive shafts of the 58-64 style frames. 62 was the last year for the cast iron Powerglide, and then with the 283 only (other than with the 235 sixes), as the 327 cars got the new aluminum Powerglide. Why not just get a rebuild kit from E-Bay and rebuild it yourself? You could probably get a old "Motors Manual" there also to help with the rebuild also. To mess around with different lengths and shift patterns will just get too confusing. The cast iron Powerglides used a band to lock the rear band down so the planetary would spin backwards for reverse gear, and that band can only be adjusted from the inside of the trans; the aluminum units use a clutch/piston setup for reverse. Keep your 57 trans unless you decide to update to a more modern trans like a TH350 or similar. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
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