I have a 51 chevy coupe. Want to run a 235 6cyl, with nova rear, and was wondering if i could use a 3spd with overdrive transmission from a 55 chevy? Would like to keep the 3spd on column. Can this be done?
You WILL need to use the 55 six bellhousing also, the clutch ***embly should be fine. Updating to 12 volt system? If so the 6 and 12 volt starters/flywheels are different in how the gear teeth mesh; best to keep it 6 volt for now, unless you have the $$$ to do everything at once. The OD trans will then fit, BUT you'll have to fab up a trans mount, and it would be best to also fab up mid mounts like a 55-57 bellhousing uses. 49-54 cars used a trans mount; you could delete that if you fab up mid mounts for the bellhousing, and let the trans "hang" out there like the 55-57 cars did. Might want to check in over at ChevyTalk.Org; the 49-54 forum has the best bunch of guys, and they always have the right answers. Butch/56sedandelivery. You could also use the 216, 235 truck six bellhousing that uses the larger trans mount pattern. I forget what year that actually changed, but it was earlier for the trucks than cars.
Thanks Butch, Sounds like I might be better off going a different route. lol I have a 59 six cyl i'm going to put in and i might just leave the rest stock. Have 411 gears and i've been told to put in rearend from a automatic car.
You can convert to 12V and keep the 6V starter. Buffalo Enterprises a**** others make an adapter plate to use an S10 T5 behind the stock bellhousing, that might be a better option as it will make the car much more drivable regardless of how you gear it.
Yes, it is TRUE you can use the 6 volt starter and power it with 12 volts; it just won't last as long, but that is probably not a big deal. I think your idea to go with a manual OD trans is a good one; another consideration would be a more modern 5-speed that 5th is OD, and convert to an open driveline. A couple of ChevyTalk.Org members have done that, and do***ented it well. Us the 58, 235, and your OD trans idea. If you just converted to the 3.55 automatic, enclosed driveline rear end, you would't see as much benefit as with an OD trans. In fact, a later rear end will probably come with gearing that's "higher" than 3.55. I gave my 51 Bus Coupe to my nephew, then we used my parts, $$$, garage and time to do a 350, beefed Powerglide, 56, 4.88 geared Positraction rear end. It's lifted just a little, big and little Cragar S/S wheels/tires for a street g***er look. Needs a little more converter than the 2200 RPM stall that's in it now, but I had that on hand at the time. Good luck with yours. Butch/56sedandelivery.
I have a 71 nova rearend. I wanted to go with 235 engine dual carb, but i really wanted to keep the shifter on column. Can i change steering column and use a 3spd? Or will i have to use automatic? Maybe i should consider a V8.
Was your car an automatic to begin with? You can add the manual shift pieces to any stock column, but finding all the pieces may be the hard part. Again, ChevyTalk.Org, those guys may be able to help with that if you become a member and post about what you need. Unfortunately, I tossed all the manual shift pieces from our project. It actually went with the 216 and manual trans I gave away to a restorer type fella. I also gave him a universal fit, floor shifter. I wanted to originally put a late model 250 in the Bus Coupe, and had all the parts to do it, including an old Speed Gems adapter. I was going to keep the column shift also. After I lost interest, and gave the car to my nephew, he decided we needed to put all my parts I had on hand, into the car.` Butch/56sedandelivery.
My car is all original with 3spd on column. It still has the 216 engine. I would like to put a 235 from 1959 in it. I want to change the old torque tube driveshaft and rearend but keep 3spd on column. Everyone tells me i need more gears for highway driving. I have a 3spd with overdrive from a 55 chevy. Do you think that would work? Would the linkage be the same? Alan/hotball
Your shift linkage will work with the 55 O/D trans. The side cover and splined shafts are almost the same. The only issue will be if you want to run a trans-cross member mount. Hurst used to make a bolt on kit, they come up on E-Bay once in a while. It just bolted to the extension housing where the extension housing bolts to the case. OR, fab bell housing mounts and let the trans hang out there like they did on the 55-57's. Your 58/59 235 mounts differently, and you will need to make some modifications or use the 216 front cover. I have the article of what needs to be modified and how to do the modifications. PM me a name/address and I'll sent it to you. Butch/56sedandelivery.
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