I have a 1950 2 door sedan that runs a powerglide(stock). The motor is a 235 that someone else swapped out (was a 216). I found a 1957 283 with powerglide (both stock) that I want to use the powerglide in my car as drive gear in my car went out(low only) Both being cast iron powerglides I thought I could use the 57 trans but they look different. My plan is to put the 283 with a turbo 350 into car this winter. Will the 57 powerglide bolt up to the 235 motor?
I don't believe so. The 57 motor has a different bolt pattern than the 50. The small block v8 definitely had a different pattern than a 55 straight 6.
It is possible to mix the parts of a six- and an eight-cylinder iron 'Glide and get it to work with a 283 and the closed drive in the '50, but you have to be a good trans man to make it work, and have a few parts transmissions at hand. Not a job for a casual swapper!
the 57 powerglide has a adapter ring but even with that off, it looks like a modern trans as it has a bell housing. The 50 trans looks different, more like a manual. Just wanted to get by for the summer this this trans swap. Only have low and reverse. Got both 57 motor and trans for $50. Still ahead!!
you have to swap rearends as well. the 57 rear, or an s10 4x4, will work. try to find a world class t5 to go behind the 283.
V8 and 6 cyl powerglides have different bellhousings, and the bellhousing mounts the valve body and some other parts, so you can't just swap them out...the transmission design was changed quite a bit in 1955 and again in 1958. Also the 50-54 cars had torque tube closed driveline, 55-newer are open driveline. Short answer, no you can't do it. You could swap in the 57 engine and trans, it's a lot of work, and you'd need to change the rearend as mentioned.
Like has already been said, it is possible to mix and match the enclosed driveline trans with the 57 trans, but it's no easy task. Unless you're also willing to also swap out the torque tube driveline/rear end, you're in for a big headache; make that a migraine. It would be a lot easier to just use the 57 283/Powerglide and convert to an open driveline setup. You'll also want to update from the Huck style brakes currently on your car to the Bendix type, a newer rear end would take care of the rear, you'd only have to convert the front that way. If you E-Mail/P.M. me your name and address, I'll send you a 68' HOT ROD MAGAZINE article about swapping a V-8/Powerglide (and 57 at that), and also swapping in a 57 rear end, WITHOUT cutting your firewall supports, into a 53. We're in the middle of doing a .030 over 350, built aluminum Powerglide, and 56 rear end swap, into a 51 Business Coupe. We hope to have the engine in this weekend. We used Chassis Engineering motor mounts (you can mount them where you want to), and made a rear trans mount from a MOPAR piece, as everything else on the market is too costly and over engineered (IMO). I bought the Chassis Engineering trans mount, but it's not removable, or a drop out. Your current Powerglide sounds like it's lost the high gear clutches, and they were'nt "fully automatic" in 50 anyway, you have to shift them manually from low to drive, and if after stopping you leave it in drive, then it starts out in drive (2nd). Also, I just finished rebuilding the master cylinder, had Hagens sleeve the bore with stainless, because new or rebuilt, they're EXPENSIVE. Good luck with your project, let me know if I can give you any pointers. Butch/56sedandelivery in Everett, Washington.
Thanks everybody. I guess I will just put 283 and turbo 350 or 400 in now. Drove car one day and trans went out. Setting in barn for 20 years!! So much for this summer!!
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