C1 59: Engine versus trannie

[Rob M.]

Hi all,

Another call for your collective superb advice:

I've recently bought a correct #519 engine and got it shipped to the Netherlands. I will get it reviced (bearings, valves, hardened valve seats, etc.) and put into the car. But the engine is an D version which means it was originaly build for a automatic shifter but currently I'm running a (1963) 4 speed shifter and I don't posses a correct powerglide (yet).

Is it possible to mount the existing clutch and trannie stuff right on this engine or is this very difficult/impossible ?

Thanks for your advise and keep in mind that I'm not a real mechanic (but more into the electronics)!

Rob.




The C1 '59 Restoration Project

[Dave Suesz]

Too easy...

Installation of a new pilot bushing will complete the conversion to manual. You may want to check the advance curve of the distributor, this may have been slightly different on M/T vesus A/T.

[Rob M.]

Re: Too easy...

Dave,

Thanks for your reply! Any idea who sells these bushing and is there a picture available (on the net) ?

greetings,
rob.

[Tom D.]

Pilot Bushing Size - Believe it or not.

The hole (in the back of the crank) may not be the correct size for the standard pilot bushing, if the crank is pre-1962, and if it always was in front of an automatic. Check to see if there is a samll brass colored bushing in the center of the back of the crankshaft already.

Instead of the standard pilot bushing, Pre-61 powerglide crank needs a slightly smaller "adapter size" bushing from Dorman. I have the part number here somewhere, plus some extras. If the common size simply will not go in, contact me. (This is not an offer to sell, but to share if needed.)

What if TURBOGLIDE was there? Then you need a really big bushing, as they had a huge hole in the back of those cranks.

Tom D.

[Loren L.]

Probably not enough room in the

end of the crankshaft for the stock pilot bushing - it will be necessary to either machine out the crank or reduce the size of the pilot bushing to fit.

[Pierre J.]

Powerglide Pilot Bushing

"Year One" sells the smaller pilot bushing, used it in my '56 and works just fine. Year One part number is CPG0689

Pierre G. Joly