OT-OLD street rodders

tomturkey · Apr 14, 2016

My son and I are getting ready to fix up his 63 Chevy half ton stepside long box for his daughter. It has a 283 in it with three on the tree. He wants to change the tranny to an automatic for her. What transmission are we looking for????? No this is not tractor related, my apologies in advance. gobble

Sprint 6 · Apr 14, 2016

I would put a 700R4, also known as a 4L60, in it if you are keeping the original rear end. That trans has overdrive to deal with the low ratio in the rear and will give a decent cruise rpm.

Determined · Apr 14, 2016

For a 3 speed automatic the easiest would be a Th350, heavier would be a Th400.
For overdrive you would want a 700r4.
Anything newer and it gets expensive as you will need a computer for it.

centash · Apr 14, 2016

Could also put in a 2 speed power glide. Ben

JK2 · Apr 14, 2016

Im pretty sure it would have come with an alum case powerglide if it were automatic. If I were you, I would look for an early 700R4. It is a 4 speed & 4th is an overdrive 2hich will help with mileage. If the plan is to tow much with it a Turbo 400 would hold up better. A problem with either of these is the plate for the shifter if you plan on putting it on the column. A floor shift would be easier.

Bob · Apr 14, 2016

If you are not going to beat on it excessively, a "built" 200-4R would be a good choice.
Read all about it...

old · Apr 14, 2016

For that time frame a good old slip and slide power glide would be correct. I have one I took out of a 1969 Chev pick or if you want a bit of an up grade a turbo 350 would be the next step up and come close to what would have been in it I also have one of those

big fred · Apr 15, 2016

I'm with you. Powerglide. Dang near bulletproof, original enough for even the most ardent correct police, and dirt simple to hook up to that 283.

RBnSC · Apr 15, 2016

Tom, be sure to look under and measure, my 62 had an x member that the transmission tail has to fit into. when I bought my truck the owner had taken the engine and trans out and sold them. He tried to put a 283 with a turbo 350 it wouldn't work so he quit with it and I bought it. Be sure and check. I had a 63 but I don't remember it being different.
Ron

Married2Allis · Apr 15, 2016

I'm a powerglide fan but the 'glide, Th300/400, 700R4 are all going for about the same money out there. For the overdrive and lower 1st gear would go with the 700R4. This article gives a great comparison including the measurements and bolt patterns: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbo-Hydramatic.

Jo Bird · Apr 15, 2016

(quoted from post at 02:56:42 04/15/16) My son and I are getting ready to fix up his 63 Chevy half ton stepside long box for his daughter. It has a 283 in it with three on the tree. He wants to change the tranny to an automatic for her. What transmission are we looking for????? No this is not tractor related, my apologies in advance. gobble

hy change it at all, just teach her to drive !! People coddle kids to much, when it in fact it can be a learning experience. Step son, with zero mechanical interest or ability showed up one day in a red ford tarsus, standard shift. Thought to myself, he'd have the clutch tore out with in a week. Be-live me, if he can drive a standard any body can, :lol: :lol: It will be a great learning and bonding experience with her dad.. and when some smart a$$ boy friend thinks he has the upper hand because he has a standard shift vehicle, she can put him in his place, it will be priceless.

matthies · Apr 15, 2016

The 350 trans will fit right in there and the drive shaft will fit without being changed. chris

Hobo,NC · Apr 15, 2016

I have a 72 at the shop its just a driver (a toy) it has a TH400 and needs a overdrive bad. I had a 63 like you have it got around 16MPG best I remember by the time I added a auto (350), PS, PB it was down to 8MPG.

If you go auto I used a floor shifter out of a mustang 2 at that time they were a dime a dozen. The shifter mounted up and adjusted out like it was made for it.

If the door stop is broke the door will swing to far open and bend the fender I found out after I had just painted the truck :twisted:

The 72 has a 350 with AC I had to put a fuel pump on it this week I had forgot how much fun they were to replace.

Rich'sToys · Apr 15, 2016

As has been mentioned here before, you need to join the forums over at Stovebolt.com. Those folks can tell you anything you need to know about that truck, and help you with any issues you might have.

Regarding the standard transmission, I agree she should learn to drive it. That is a skill which is rapidly being lost in these modern times.

Tech 7 · Apr 15, 2016

Wow I had a '63 long box with 283 and three on the tree for my yard truck when I worked for an auto wrecker. Loved that truck. Came in after a couple of days off and my truck has the hood off.......engine is gone. Somebody needed one and the boss was able to show him a good running example
Personally I would leave the three speed as stock.......just saying.

dr sportster · Apr 15, 2016

Well a powerglide is a great trans I am against those recommending it. th 350

jimg.allentown · Apr 15, 2016

I would not touch a 700r4. That had to be the worst transmission that was ever sold to the public.
As designed and prototyped, it was an excellent transmission. Then the MBAs came out of the office and told the engineers that it cost too much and could not be sold as it is.
The 4L60 is an electronic version of the 700R4. You would need the electronics to support it to use that one. It is a better transmission than the 700R4 in that a lot of the weak points were corrected in it. BUT, you would need the electronics to support it, since it has no governor, modulator, or other means to determine and cause shift points.
As to the powerglide, FORGET IT!!! What a throwback to the stone age. Two speeds and reverse. No overdrive, no intermediate, and no efficiency. In their day, they were barely adequate. And, they are NOT "bulletproof" as others have said. Powerglides kept local transmission shops in business!!! They were very prone to failure of the high clutch.
My recommendation would be either the TH350 or the TH400. It would be harder to find a 400 with Chevy bell housing pattern. Either will give you a decent and reliable 3 speed transmission without getting into electronic problems.

ditchwitch · Apr 15, 2016

Just a stock 350 turbo transmission would be fine.

CenTex Farmall · Apr 15, 2016

This is what I was going to say, if you are not going to tow.

I've had excellent service from 200-4r's. The 700r4 has more of a "gap" between 1st and 2nd gear ratios. I prefer the spacing on the 2004r.

CaseChev · Apr 15, 2016

Correct automatic for that truck in that year would have been an aluminum 2spd Powerglide. It would be a fairly straightforward swap. Don't forget that you would either need to swap to the correct automatic radiator with the trans cooler in the bottom or install a separate aftermarket cooler in front of the existing radiator. Or.....help her be a really awesome young woman.....who knows how to drive a manual transmission vehicle.....a real character builder in today's culture

RBnSC · Apr 15, 2016

I wouldn't use a powerglide. Doesn't anyone remember how limp those things were? On those trucks the side mounts were on the bellhousing. Seriously look under the truck before you do anything.
Ron

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