Automatic Transmission

[John C.]

I have a really bad left knee and can no longer push in the clutch I want to install a automatic transmission in my 59 are there any suggestions Thanks John

[Mark E.]

Re: Automatic Transmission

I don't mean to be flippant, but if it's a nice, original car consider selling it and getting an automatic car.

Easier, preserves the car and makes more economic sense.

[Bill M.]

Re: Automatic Transmission

I had a friend who did that many years ago. He had his shoulder replaced and just did not want to shift anymore. He put in a powerglide and used all period parts. I dont remember the year of the car but he did not have much trouble finding parts. If it is just an around town car I think a powerglide will be fine.

[Mike M.]

Re: Automatic Transmission

I'd go with an aluminum power glide, avoiding the cat iron critters found in the 53 to about 61. the aluminum were post 63 as I recall. mike

[Joseph S.]

Re: Automatic Transmission

John, Many transmissions will fit. Turbo 350, 200-4R are probably the most common. The 200-4R will give you an overdrive so your highway driving will be more comfortable. Shiftworks makes a great shifter that mounts in the factory hole.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Automatic Transmission

Paddle shifters!

[Joe R.]

Re: Automatic Transmission

I agree with Joe S. If you are replacing a stock 4-speed in your '59, the easiest automatic swaps are the Powerglide 2-speed, Turbo 350 3-speed, and 200-4R 4-speed. All three are about the same size and, I believe, can use the same driveshaft.

If you do not plan to do a lot of highway driving, the Turbo 350 has a much better first gear than the Powerglide and has the same 1:1 top gear as the Powerglide. The 200-4R adds an overdrive 4th gear that is nice to have for extended highway driving.

[Bob H.]

Re: Automatic Transmission

I'm trying to help a Chapter member. He has a 59 with iron PG that is shot. I suggested a later C2 aluminum PG. Another chapter member says he has one that he can have.
Can anyone identify the one that has 3925660 on one side and 3884685 on another side. The judging manuals don't have PG part numbers.
Thanks for any help, bob

[Ronald L.]

Re: Automatic Transmission

Bob, the part numbers you mention are Muncie 4 speed case and tail housing parts

[Bob H.]

Re: Automatic Transmission

yes, from 1966. I realized that I sent the wrong numbers. thank you.

[Alexander D.]

Re: Automatic Transmission

Hi John,

The best swap from a performance and cost perspective would be for you to install a TH350. This 3-speed trans should almost be a direct fit as it's virtually the same size as a Powerglide, using the same rear mount location, yet delivers superior performance thanks to its low 2.52 first gear and a 1:52 gear intermediate gear, useful for passing and hill climbing. Definitely superior to a Powerglide in a street driven car and will stand up well behind any healthy small block engine. TH350 cores are readily available as GM installed over 20 million of these transmissions from 1969 to the mid-1980's. You want to avoid the TH350C with lockup torque converter which were available after 1981. Any transmission shop that has worked on muscle cars will be familiar with the TH350 and can rebuild one for you at modest cost with a shift kit and heavier duty frictions to increase torque capacity and ensure long life.

Going the TH350 route will be about half the cost of a 200-4R swap. This because a rear transmission mount must be fabricated, meaning your car's frame may need to be welded. This trans is more expensive to rebuild as most cores are weaker in stock form when compared to a TH350. The 200-4R relies on a sometimes finicky TV cable for shifting, and you need to install extra circuitry to manage the lockup torque converter and overdrive gear selection functions. The principal advantage of the 200-4R is that it has an overdrive gear. However, if you car has 3:08 or 3:36 gearing or lower then you likely don't need overdrive. Conversely, if you're running 3:73 or 4:11 cogs then overdrive becomes attractive to reduce highway RPM's and improve fuel economy. But as our vintage Corvettes see limited use and aren't used for daily freeway commuting, these factors may be secondary considerations for you.

I would search the "C1 & C2 Corvette Forum" to learn from other C1 owners who've swapped their 4-speeeds for a TH350 or 200-4R. I recall reading there that someone successfully installed a 700-4R into their C1.

Hope this helps,

Alex