Powerglide install-How difficult?

[Legolas894]

Currently have a 283 with 4 speed Muncie (floor shift), 4MV Quadrajet. Muncie needs rebuild. Truck was originally three of the tree with a 292 I6.

Thinking about replacing the Muncie with a Powerglide. Is this a big job?
I assume I need a different steering column to shift on the column. Does my carb need to change as well and a different drive shaft?

Thanks in advance.

[old Chevy guy]

You will need an automatic column and the linkage to go with it. An automatic crossmember, and you will need either a radiater with a trans cooler or an aftermarket trans cooler to mount remotely . overall not too too complicated but why a powerglide? Id go turbo 350 if I was going automatic. I don't think you need a different carb just a vacuum port to hook to the modulator. I think the drive shaft from the 3 speed would work but Im not positive. Is the 4 speed a car type Muncie? I took a powerglide out of my 69 Camaro and put in a 4 speed saginaw then upgraded to a Muncie all with the same drive shaft, oh and a th350 once too.

[mike16]

what year?

you will want to locate a complete parts truck to cannibalise parts from

powerglide would not be my first choice to convert to automatic. being old school I would go witha th 400. others would recommend an over drive automatic. lots mor parts availability to do that.

2 cents please

[Grumpy old man]

going from a 4 speed to a power glide is going to be a real let down .and expensive

[Legolas894]

Originally Posted by old Chevy guy

You will need an automatic column and the linkage to go with it. An automatic crossmember, and you will need either a radiater with a trans cooler or an aftermarket trans cooler to mount remotely . overall not too too complicated but why a powerglide? Id go turbo 350 if I was going automatic. I don't think you need a different carb just a vacuum port to hook to the modulator. I think the drive shaft from the 3 speed would work but Im not positive. Is the 4 speed a car type Muncie? I took a powerglide out of my 69 Camaro and put in a 4 speed saginaw then upgraded to a Muncie all with the same drive shaft, oh and a th350 once too.

Thanks for the reply. My rad has the transcooler. My thought on the powerglide was I heard it was a direct bolt on for the 283 as far as splines etc. Not sure if that's true with the TH350.

[Legolas894]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

going from a 4 speed to a power glide is going to be a real let down .and expensive

Rebuilding a Muncie is expensive too. I can pick up a powerglide for $200-300.

[Legolas894]

Originally Posted by mike16

what year?

you will want to locate a complete parts truck to cannibalise parts from

powerglide would not be my first choice to convert to automatic. being old school I would go witha th 400. others would recommend an over drive automatic. lots mor parts availability to do that.

2 cents please

Thanks-Good idea on the parts truck but they are hard to find up here in the Canadian rust belt. Rebuilding the Muncie is expensive. Finding another trans might be cheaper if I can get all the parts from a donor truck. Wasn't sure on the drive shaft lengths and column shift.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by Legolas894

Rebuilding a Muncie is expensive too. I can pick up a powerglide for $200-300.

IMO, a powerglide will work if your only concerns are easy bolt-on, low cost, and the truck being able to move forward & backward. Frankly I would not want to live with its 2-speed design. At the very least I would try to use a TH350 (a TH400 robs power and uses more fuel, and is only needed if you have big-block torque).

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

going from a 4 speed to a power glide is going to be a real let down .and expensive

I agree... the 2-speed 'glide has a wide ratio split and it can be a mutt. If you've never driven a rig with a 'glide you'll be glad you never did.

Very popular with drag racers because of only 2 gears and they have a great reputation on the track for toughness. Racers re-gear them and love them.

Do yourself a favor and get a TH350. You can get them cheap too, and parts are a lot cheaper and easier to find.

Gary

[mike16]

unless ya absolutely gotta have an autotrans. for about the same cash outlay to do it right.... you might consider an NV4500. the only auto trans worth beans would have to be an overdrive. depending on your rear end ratio a two speed powerglide would drive you crazy

[Grumpy old man]

I have a friend here in Knoxville that will custom gear a Muncie to your specs for about $1,100.00 , He builds mine last I checked he had 162 in stock .

[leftybass209]

While I think the 'glide has a cool vintage factor about it, unless you specifically want a 2 speed automatic, you would most likely be much happier with a TH350, 2004R or 700R4.

[Dirt's72]

I'm not sure of the difficulty level. I have the original one in my 69 shortbed with a 292 and it doesn't have a cooler. I sure like mine a lot. I do get passed on the interstate.

[Legolas894]

Thanks for all of these replies-Very Helpful. Another 4 speed could be an option.

Thanks for that rebuild estimate-That's about the same as I've heard up here. My truck would be considered a parts-truck in Tennessee I'm sure LOL, so spending $1100 on it would be like high-heels on the pig. I had seen a few powerglides for sale so thought that might be a cheap option.

[cleanfreak]

We just put a powerglide in the 70 shortbed for a friend , the shifter linkage is different from the 3 speed and a little hard to find.