Transmission question in 34 201

[blazin6969]

The transmission in the car seems to work fine, clutch looks good. The motor in it is trash. Does the transmission from my 34 plymouth mate well with a newer model Flathead? Just trying to weigh out some options. Since post war cars everything was on the tree and mine currently in the floor just wondering if anyone has come across this or any recommendations. Really new to all this I dont want to "streetrod" it like everyone is telling me to. I'd like to stay true with a flathead and possibly run the same transmission. (Plus it would make things easier)

[dpollo]

You can put a later engine onto your 34 bell housing but the starter won't fit against the block because of the water jacket.

 

I have heard that if you mill a big flat spot on the starter housing it will fit but I have not done this.  It is also possible to use a bell housing from a 35 to 39 and the floor shift transmission from the same car but new rear mounts will need to be installed in the frame.

It may be cheaper to rebuild your 34 engine.

[knuckleharley]

The transmission in the car seems to work fine, clutch looks good. The motor in it is trash. Does the transmission from my 34 plymouth mate well with a newer model Flathead? Just trying to weigh out some options. Since post war cars everything was on the tree and mine currently in the floor just wondering if anyone has come across this or any recommendations. Really new to all this I dont want to "streetrod" it like everyone is telling me to. I'd like to stay true with a flathead and possibly run the same transmission. (Plus it would make things easier)

I don't have any mechanical advise for you,but I will ask you to consider storing the original engine away somewhere instead of scrapping it. They are different than even the later 30's flat 6's,and chances are the next owner of your car may want to restore it to factory original. This happens more often these days than hotrodding them because there are so few of them left.  When/if the day comes you want to sell your car having the original engine as a part of the sale may help boost the sale price.

 

There is even a possibility you may want to restore it yourself later on. If you do,it's a lot easier to accomplish if you still have the original engine sitting off in a corner somewhere.

 

Costs you nothing to keep it and you can profit in the future from doing so. Win/win any way you want to look at it.

[greg g]

Some things you should know to determine if the older trans will fit the new er bell housing

The lengths of the input shafts, the diameter of the input shaft bearing retainer, the bolt pattern of the trans to bell housing mounting bolts, and the spline count on the input shafts. Since if you are planning to use the floor shifted one, linkage is not a consideration, knowing these things would help you assess the swap ability of the trans or if by switching things that don't fit for things that do whether mix and matching of parts would give you a workable solution. Even if something like the spline count is different it may be possible to use the older clutch disc with the newer pressure plate and have it work.

[blazin6969]

Thanks so much for the input guys! As far as rebuilding the original I've bee quoted around 2500-3k(kit is bout 1800 bux). Don't think that is in the budget at the moment.

I will not be scrapping any of the original parts. And if I do intend on doing a swap over to another motor and transmission I will preserve the original ones. On the 34 Plymouth PE my vin is right in the original engine which is really neat.

I was up a local yard and found atleast 15 flatheads atleast 7 are from Desotos, there were a few older dodge trucks but transmission was gone. But it looks like the 55 savoy might be my donor with the powerflite.

 

On a side note after doing more digging on my transmission it doesn't seem at reliable as I thought it would have been.

 

Sorry for all the questions I'm sure I will have more in the future, this is all totally new to me.

 

I think going with a newer style drivetrain from a good donor might be a better route for myself. I really plan on driving this car often and the idea of over the counter parts and availability really have me sold.

 

Any thoughts on the powerflite transmission?

[knuckleharley]

Some things you should know to determine if the older trans will fit the new er bell housing

The lengths of the input shafts, the diameter of the input shaft bearing retainer, the bolt pattern of the trans to bell housing mounting bolts, and the spline count on the input shafts. Since if you are planning to use the floor shifted one, linkage is not a consideration, knowing these things would help you assess the swap ability of the trans or if by switching things that don't fit for things that do whether mix and matching of parts would give you a workable solution. Even if something like the spline count is different it may be possible to use the older clutch disc with the newer pressure plate and have it work.

 

I think going with a newer style drivetrain from a good donor might be a better route for myself. I really plan on driving this car often and the idea of over the counter parts and availability really have me sold.

 

Any thoughts on the powerflite transmission?

I never heard of anyone having trouble with the powerflite's back when it was common to see cars with it being driven around,but I hope you aren't too deeply in love with being able to buy parts over the counter for it and the 55 engine at your local auto parts store. No new car  has left the factory using that engine and transmission in 60 years.

 

Don't misunderstand me. Parts can be found pretty easily. Just don't expect to walk into your local Advance Auto and find them sitting on the shelf.

[blazin6969]

Well just left the yard again the block in there with the transmission is a D62 so I'm guessing the 56 dodge engine played nice with the 55 powerflite?

Yea I know what you are saying but the parts are more easily accessible I guess is a better way put.

[dpollo]

The 55 Powerflite is pretty bulky for the space your car offers.  Before you really get into it, I would advise you to trial fit the later engine to your 34 bell housing and see what can be done to make a starter fit.

 

 I greatly fear that the $3500 you are afraid is too much to put into your 34 engine is going to look pretty good by the time you overhaul a Powerflite and a newer engine and get those fitted to your car.   Have you thought about the necessary linkage for the Throttle Position control which will be needed ?  Also, the 34's brakes are pretty marginal for a car with an automatic and the rear axle ratio will not be suitable.  A 55 with P-Flite probable had a 3.7 or even a 3.54 rear end ratio. Your 34 is likely 4.1 or even 4.3

 

I learned most of these things back in the early 60s when parts were easy to get and a lot cheaper and it was possible to buy a good running engine from a wrecker.   Even then the 34 Plymouth was a challenge because of the way the engine was mounted compared to 35 and up.  Sorry to rain on your parade but you had better line up a lot of parts on your garage floor before you really tear into things.