Will a '55-'57 Chev 3-speed passenger car transmission bolt-up to a 261 Chev truck engine? Are any changes needed? thanks, dcmann
Yes-No You should use the you should use the passenger car bellhousing if it is different from your truck one. Depends on what trans was behind the 261 in it's last life.
Only if the transmission in question was originally from a 235. V8 powerglides will not work behind the 235/261 engines without an aftermarket adapter kit.
A 'glide? Who said he wanted a Powerglide? You don't want a Powerglide do you? I hope not. This is kind of a Hot Rod forum I thought. I could be wrong again
I was under the impression he was asking about automatics, but then again he doesn't really say does he? If stick, then as long as the bellhousing has the same bolt pattern as the transmission it will work.
the tri five 3spds will bolt up to the 261. If you go that route you might as well find one that has overdrive too. We had one that someone chrome plated the case. We packed it around to the swap meets for a while. Definite conversation piece.
In fact, you can bolt a later Saginaw synchro low 3 speed to the stock bell housing as well, and would have a stronger transmission in addition to the luxury of being able to downshift into low gear while moving, and they're dirt cheap.
Or for that matter a Saginaw 4 speed. i did behind my 270 GMC with a 55 type bellhousing. Should be the same for a 261
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