Powerglide to 700r4 conversion

[bobbybelair]

I am trying to source a 700r4 for future installation. Is it necessary to remove the Powerglide frame mount horns - I think it would be for clearance but not sure.

[carls 56 (RIP 11/24/2021)]

had a 700r4 put in a 55 I had. not necessary to remove them, but I did anyway. better clearance for my exhaust and there UGLY.

[markm]

I still use them on my 56 with 700r4, It has CCI turbo mid mount adaptors with a early Camaro crossmember out back. I am not a fan of most side mount conversions unless a Big Block is involved.

[Rick_L]

You have two choices for this.

1. Use the original front mounts and an aftermarket bellhousing mount kit that bolts to the original bellhousing mount brackets on the frame.
2. Use an engine side mount conversion and a crossmember. You can cut the mount brackets off the frame but you don't have to as they are not in the way. However, if you have (or want) a lowered car, this is the way to go since you can cut the brackets off the frame, allowing you to tuck the exhaust pipes up higher and create some ground clearance.

[bobbybelair]

Good to know, don't want to lower the car, and when the day comes, I might not have to spend time with the sawzall.

[markm]

A sawzall is not the correct way to remove them, it is all but impossible to do neatly with the body on frame.

[WagonCrazy]

Used a sawzall to remove mine, then a harbor freight grinder/sanding wheel...with the body on.
Came out just fine. What tool would you use Sal?

[bobbybelair]

Used a sawzall to remove mine, then a harbor freight grinder/sanding wheel...with the body on.
Came out just fine. What tool would you use Sal?

That's what I was thinking too. But I don't expect to be lowering so I might be able to duck that.

[reggiej]

I was going to have a 700R4 put in my 55 Chevy 210, I got a message from JEGS saying this wouldn't work in my car, well let me copy and paste their message. ///
Brandon Johnson (JEGS Performance) Dec 10, 9:22 PM EST Hello,
The 700r4 will not fit the stock tunnel on the car. You will need to make a custom mount and make a tunnel or buy one of the aftermarket tunnels that are sold by other company to fit the Later Gm transmissions to the car.
Brandon Johnson
Jeg's Customer Service
1-800-345-4545 (tel:(800)%20345-4545)
We are dedicated to providing our customers with the very best in selection,
value, same day shipping and lifetime support. Thank you for choosing JEGS!


So of course this has me confused to say the least. I have several friends who own tri fives, especially 55's and they've done this swap with no modifications other than cutting the driveshaft and having it balanced. Can anyone give me some input on this from their own experience? I would like to copy them to Jegs because I don't believe they know what they're talking about. Thanks for any help given.

[markm]

Tell the idiots at Jegs you can hang a 700R4 from the stock frame horns with CCi adaptor mounts and no floor or firewall modifications.

[BamaNomad]

and there's probably a few thousand trifives running with 700R4's now... no tunnel mods.. etc... just trans side mount adapter and maybe a trans support added...

[busterwivell]

My 56 started life as a 6 cyl/3 speed car. When I got it, it had a 350/TH350 in it. I've switched it to side mounts with a different 350 and a 700R4. No interference with the tunnel at all, just put in an aftermarket cross member and shortened/balanced driveshaft. Installed an Ididit column and changed the indicator lens in the instrument cluster (still need to hook that up).

[markm]

and there's probably a few thousand trifives running with 700R4's now... no tunnel mods.. etc... just trans side mount adapter and maybe a trans support added...

Good plan on the addition of a crossmember. One from a 67-74 Camaro works well and are cheap to buy. I have a stack of them for this purpose.