55.2-59 GMC 270/700r4?

[SCHRUMGMC]

I am wanting to put a 700r4 behind my original 270 Inline 6 and was wondering what adapter plate I need for the setup.

Also, I’m thinking an original automatic steering column won’t work???

I am really wanting to keep my trucks original steering wheel and horn cap

[whitedog76]

https://transmissionadapters.com/pages/gmc-engine-types

Hope this helps

[mr48chev]

I don't have a clue as to why you think the steering column wouldn't work with a trans conversion. You might want to explain that worry.

Any adapter designed for a Turbo 350 or 400 will work with the 700R4 the difference being the TV cable for the 700R4 being very critical.

The big problem as with every early straight six and late automatic swap is that you have an engine with motor mounts on the extreme front and a transmission with the mount to the extreme rear and they want to severely flex in the middle unless the middle is supported. Same as guys who swapped Turbo 350s into Tri 5 Chevys in the 70's and 80's with stock tri 5 front mounts they fles in the middle and that knocks front pump bushings and seals out or worse cracks the bosses around the bellhousing bolts.
I saw several of both on Tri 5 chevies.

[SCHRUMGMC]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

I don't have a clue as to why you think the steering column wouldn't work with a trans conversion. You might want to explain that worry.

Any adapter designed for a Turbo 350 or 400 will work with the 700R4 the difference being the TV cable for the 700R4 being very critical.

The big problem as with every early straight six and late automatic swap is that you have an engine with motor mounts on the extreme front and a transmission with the mount to the extreme rear and they want to severely flex in the middle unless the middle is supported. Same as guys who swapped Turbo 350s into Tri 5 Chevys in the 70's and 80's with stock tri 5 front mounts they fles in the middle and that knocks front pump bushings and seals out or worse cracks the bosses around the bellhousing bolts.
I saw several of both on Tri 5 chevies.

I didn’t think the column would work without any modifications or such

Well, that makes me worry that, that would happen to me then sadly

I wanted to go with 270/700r4 or a 4L60

[59chev]

What's your end goal of considering the 700r4 with the six? I am assuming the added drive ability of the overdrive.. I drove my truck for 5 years or so with a 261 inline 6 and the stock 3 speed manual. When my 3 speed wore out, I was seriously considering a T-5 Manual Overdrive swap.

Ultimately the snowball effect kicked in and I tore it down to the frame for my current re-build consisting of a camaro clip, smallblock and 700r4.

[mr48chev]

I may have misread the column thing. Now that I read it again I'm going to have to believe that you want to run a column shift on the automatic rather than a floor shift.

Stock 59 Hydromatic shifter sits on top of the column as in these photos.

That means that you can hook it up with a linkage mod or two to a 700R4 or 200R4.
The detents on the shifter would most likely have to be rebuilt along with a new shift pattern indicator figured out. The truck with the suicide knob looks to have a Turbo 350/400 pattern on it.

I'm not sure of the degree of difficulty to complete the task but it will take some thinking outside the box. Done right the only people who will know that there is a difference without being told would be those who recognize the shift pattern not being for a Hydromatic.

[SCHRUMGMC]

I wanted to get away from the 3 on the tree due to my power disc brake setup can’t have a manual transmission sadly. I’m wanting to keep the original steering wheel and e brake set up so maybe I can use the original steering column like yall have said

I’ll see what I can do


Like I’ve said, I want a cruiser to take to shows and just enjoy driving. I’ll probably have to change the rear end ratio too

[jwhotrod]

Im trying to understand what connection there is between your disc brake setup and your manual transmission? if you couldnt have disc brakes with a manual trans you would not see 4 speeds in camaros, chevelles, and corvettes.

[SCHRUMGMC]

The manual clutch driven style. I’m sure I could have a different style of a manual

I have an under the floor brake booster setup

[mr48chev]

I'm assuming that you plan to put a big ugly booster on the firewall and run a swing pedal rather than the floor pedals. If that is the case a clutch/brake pedal setup off a 70's Chev Truck with power brakes should work if you get all the linkage and do some linkage imagineering.

[SCHRUMGMC]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

I'm assuming that you plan to put a big ugly booster on the firewall and run a swing pedal rather than the floor pedals. If that is the case a clutch/brake pedal setup off a 70's Chev Truck with power brakes should work if you get all the linkage and do some linkage imagineering.

I have a under the floor power brake booster setup

[paulspickupparts]

You could run your stock column and then run a Lokar floor shift to make it look like an original 4 speed truck. Leave your clutch pedal as a dummy pedal.