junkyardjeff Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 If my 55 Sunliner had a manual trans I probably would have not done what I did but I did not like the original automatic trans so I changed the drivetrain,I did some work to get a complete drivetrain from another 55 Ford that will be having done to it what I done to mine so I can kind of put it back original. Its a 2 bbl 55 272 so it will be getting a set of 55 4 bbl heads to raise the compression some and will be getting a 57 intake and exhaust manifolds along with a 62 distributor and the 57 better ratio rocker arms so it will run much better,now for the trans I will use the bellhousing,front pump and torque converter from the 55 trans and install them on a 70s FMX so it will now start off in first unlike the original that starts in second and will have two sources for cooling. The 55 trans has a air cooled converter where the FMX is fluid cooled so with a 56 radiator I do not think I could overheat it and to the untrained eye it will look like the original trans,this way I can get it back to close to original but run much better and I am using all factory parts. Now I have to get a new engine in my 37 Chevy p/u before I can start this project and I hope I can get the existing trans in the 55 to stay going long enough too,I got it too hot on the trip to Florida last year with a cooler malfunction. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkyardjeff Posted October 20, 2019 Author Share Posted October 20, 2019 I also have a factory PCV system and the road draft tube will be blocked off but still installed and the spin on oil filter will stay on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zepher Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 You're using factory parts to make your car more serviceable and you'll be able to return it to stock at any time. Sounds like a great plan to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lebowski Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 What happened to the engine in your grandfather's '37 Chevy pickup? It was running good not too long ago, wasn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkyardjeff Posted October 21, 2019 Author Share Posted October 21, 2019 It had a rattle for years so a couple years ago dropped the pan and found all the rod bearings down to copper and the journals scored,it got starved for oil some how but is still hanging on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkyardjeff Posted November 9, 2019 Author Share Posted November 9, 2019 Going to pick up the 4 bbl heads and 4 bbl kick down linkage tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkyardjeff Posted November 10, 2019 Author Share Posted November 10, 2019 Got the heads and 4 bbl trans linkage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkyardjeff Posted November 11, 2019 Author Share Posted November 11, 2019 Found all the PVC parts and put them with the valley pan and most likely will use a FOM/FMX hybrid trans where to the untrained eye will look original but will start out in first all the time and I can keep the highway gears it now has. It had 3.30 gears and presently has 3.00 gears and might be able to go to 2.75s with the trans starting in first,that Y block should have the torque to move that car with 2.75 gears starting in first but will see how it does with 3.00 gears first. Just need to drill two holes in the FMX case to mount the FOM bellhousing to it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted November 11, 2019 Share Posted November 11, 2019 Now the work starts ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkyardjeff Posted November 11, 2019 Author Share Posted November 11, 2019 This is going to be next winters project,the engine in the 37 is going to happen late this winter and I want to get all the parts I think I will need now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomcarnut Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 Good to see the 55 on the Fall Ohio Region AACA Tour despite the tranny issues! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexRiv_63 Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 Nice project. My first two cars were 55's with the 272, I beat them bad but they wouldn't die! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 I had a 54 two door wagon that had a 239 ohv, three on the tree w/ od. I ran the crap out of that thing in my 17th and/or 18th year. Sold it at a tidy profit. A few years later I saw it on a truck load on its way to the crusher. Heart breaking, I have several stories of cars I should have kept. But times were different when all I could afford were fifty dollar cars. Or was that twenty? Lucky to get a dollar an hour to pump gas back then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkyardjeff Posted November 12, 2019 Author Share Posted November 12, 2019 If it would have been a manual trans I would have never changed much,after having mid 50s Olds the original automatic trans was a dog starting in second and yes I manually shifted it but I did not like it so I tore into it. Looking back I should have gotten me a mid 60s car for a long distance ride and left this one alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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