Which Transmission???? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

REDSOX04 · 01-22-2010, 02:33 PM

I have a 65 short bed step side that I'm rebuilding, its in about 9,567 pieces right now. I have the Straight six 230 that I'll eventually rebuild. My rear-end has 3.73 GR in it. My question is.. I have access to a 55 power glide for free, I also can get a TH-400 for $50, both would have to be rebuilt. Then I have a 700R4 that I rebuilt a couple of years ago while in school that I'd rather keep for a 350 I've got for a future project. I'm torn on what's the best choice. I'm still relatively new to the restoration world. I was a helicopter mechanic for 10 yrs, Military and civilian, then went to school for welding and automotive. This is my first project and thought I'd see what you all thought. Any incite would be greatly appreciated.

joe231 · 01-22-2010, 02:36 PM

what are you planning on using the truck for? local grocery getter? commuter? if your planning on highway driving? If so I would definitely got with the 700R4, plus you already have it and it is ready to go.

And

REDSOX04 · 01-22-2010, 02:38 PM

Just a weekend driver but capable of highway speeds, nothing fancy.

**DPowers** · 01-22-2010, 02:54 PM

700r because it is ready to go now...

markeb01 · 01-22-2010, 02:59 PM

Of the three choices I would also pick the 700R4. With the .70 overdrive the 3.73 will be changed to about 2.6 making for a great cruising gear if the engine makes enough torque to be in high gear. My last pick would be the 55 Powerglide. Having just 2 gears really sucks, either too high or too low. I'm not very versed on Powerglides, but I believe this must also be one of the early cast iron models and finding parts for it may be a problem. The TH400 is great behind a 350 or big block, but that's a lot of transmission (heavy and big) for a 230, unless you're planning to put a V8 in front of it sometime in the future.

**LEEVON** · 01-22-2010, 02:59 PM

yep you can always get another one later. use the 700R4. if you're dead set against it though the TH400 is the easy 2nd choice.

REDSOX04 · 01-22-2010, 03:07 PM

Thanks Guys, great site!!

Russ65C10 · 01-22-2010, 03:11 PM

700R4 is the way to go, been running one in my 65 for the 8 years love it, but I have 283. My truck has 3.73 rearend and I cruse down the freeway at 70mph turning 2200rpms. Although, I have to wonder if your 230 has the power to actually take advantage of the OD? I had a 66 with a 250 in it and it would top out at around 82mph I am not sure it had enough umph to have stayed in OD unless there was no headwind or it was going down hill ;-) Just something to think about.

Russ65C10 · 01-22-2010, 03:18 PM

One other thing, my 65 orginally had a powerglide in it and before I dropped the 700R4 in I put a TH350 in it for a couple years. I really wasn't that impressed moving from the powerglide to the TH350. The powerglide was factory orginal in the truck and as such was set up for it. It provide better engine braking and was geared to powerband of engine. Others may think differently but thats my experience.

REDSOX04 · 01-22-2010, 03:43 PM

Thanks for letting me in on some of your experiances. Heck now i'm thinking why not the 350 with the 700, I got plenty of time to ponder.

01-22-2010, 02:33 PM	#1
REDSOX04 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Albany, OR Posts: 11	Which Transmission???? I have a 65 short bed step side that I'm rebuilding, its in about 9,567 pieces right now. I have the Straight six 230 that I'll eventually rebuild. My rear-end has 3.73 GR in it. My question is.. I have access to a 55 power glide for free, I also can get a TH-400 for $50, both would have to be rebuilt. Then I have a 700R4 that I rebuilt a couple of years ago while in school that I'd rather keep for a 350 I've got for a future project. I'm torn on what's the best choice. I'm still relatively new to the restoration world. I was a helicopter mechanic for 10 yrs, Military and civilian, then went to school for welding and automotive. This is my first project and thought I'd see what you all thought. Any incite would be greatly appreciated.

01-22-2010, 02:36 PM	#2
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Which Transmission???? what are you planning on using the truck for? local grocery getter? commuter? if your planning on highway driving? If so I would definitely got with the 700R4, plus you already have it and it is ready to go. And __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

01-22-2010, 02:38 PM	#3
REDSOX04 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Albany, OR Posts: 11	Re: Which Transmission???? Just a weekend driver but capable of highway speeds, nothing fancy.

01-22-2010, 02:54 PM	#4
DPowers One foot in front of the other Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Parrottsville, TN Posts: 5,442	Re: Which Transmission???? 700r because it is ready to go now...

01-22-2010, 02:59 PM	#5
markeb01 Senior Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Spokane Valley, WA Posts: 8,356	Re: Which Transmission???? Of the three choices I would also pick the 700R4. With the .70 overdrive the 3.73 will be changed to about 2.6 making for a great cruising gear if the engine makes enough torque to be in high gear. My last pick would be the 55 Powerglide. Having just 2 gears really sucks, either too high or too low. I'm not very versed on Powerglides, but I believe this must also be one of the early cast iron models and finding parts for it may be a problem. The TH400 is great behind a 350 or big block, but that's a lot of transmission (heavy and big) for a 230, unless you're planning to put a V8 in front of it sometime in the future.

01-22-2010, 02:59 PM	#6
LEEVON Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,888	Re: Which Transmission???? yep you can always get another one later. use the 700R4. if you're dead set against it though the TH400 is the easy 2nd choice. __________________ '20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids

01-22-2010, 03:07 PM	#7
REDSOX04 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Albany, OR Posts: 11	Re: Which Transmission???? Thanks Guys, great site!!

01-22-2010, 03:11 PM	#8
Russ65C10 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 124	Re: Which Transmission???? 700R4 is the way to go, been running one in my 65 for the 8 years love it, but I have 283. My truck has 3.73 rearend and I cruse down the freeway at 70mph turning 2200rpms. Although, I have to wonder if your 230 has the power to actually take advantage of the OD? I had a 66 with a 250 in it and it would top out at around 82mph I am not sure it had enough umph to have stayed in OD unless there was no headwind or it was going down hill ;-) Just something to think about.

01-22-2010, 03:18 PM	#9
Russ65C10 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 124	Re: Which Transmission???? One other thing, my 65 orginally had a powerglide in it and before I dropped the 700R4 in I put a TH350 in it for a couple years. I really wasn't that impressed moving from the powerglide to the TH350. The powerglide was factory orginal in the truck and as such was set up for it. It provide better engine braking and was geared to powerband of engine. Others may think differently but thats my experience.

01-22-2010, 03:43 PM	#10
REDSOX04 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Albany, OR Posts: 11	Re: Which Transmission???? Thanks for letting me in on some of your experiances. Heck now i'm thinking why not the 350 with the 700, I got plenty of time to ponder.



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