std trans vs auto re cranckshaft

[tstang51]

I recently purchaced a "project"... 57 Estate Wagon with std shift. The engine is in the car but short block only & quite rusty. The heads etc are in the back. My first idea was to swap out this engine for a complete running engine from another 57. That car is automatic. Someone just told me that there is a crankshaft difference between the auto & std trans engines & that they do not interchange. Does anybody have any solid info on this? Thanks very much. Tim

[JohnD1956]

The replacement engine would have to be looked at for a pilot shaft hole in the center of the crank. Automatics generally do not have a pilot shaft and the torque converter is bolted to the flywheel. Stick shifts have a center shaft that protrudes through the clutch and pressure plate but only rests inside the pilot shaft hole in the crank. The pressure plate is attached to the flywheel, but the clutch disc and the pilot shaft turn freely.

That being said, I understand a lot of Buicks have the pilot shaft hole. Some other GM's like an Oldsmobile won't have the hole on an automatic trans car.

Not only is there a pilot shaft hole, but it needs to be big enough for a separate bushing as well. I don't have anything here for a picture but if your car has a stick shift already, it already has the pilot shaft bushing which is easily removed and insterted into the new engine before putting the clutch and pressure plate on.

JD

[tstang51]

John, Thanks for the reply. I know what you are talking about. I suspected this was the difference but wanted to confirm, not being familiar with Buicks. I can deal with this situation. Thanks again! Tim

[JohnD1956]

You're very welcome. Now whats up with the 57 wagon with a stick shift? That is probably a super rare car. I'm not sure it gets any better than that.

JD

[tstang51]

Well to be honest, I am a Studebaker/Mopar man but with a soft spot for 50's Buicks & Caddies. I grew up in a Buick family. I recall my parents having a grey 48 Super 4 dr, green 52 Super 4 dr, tutone green 55 tudor hdtp (don't recall model)and a tutone brown 57 fordor hdtp (don't recall that model either). Anyway, I always liked the 57 styling best and know that any hdtp wagon of the 50's is rare. So when this car popped up only 85 miles away, I had to check it out. It is surprisingly rust free with the exception of the floors. It has been off the road for many years, interior is fair to poor but complete, even has keys! Its a base model, Estate Wagon, not Caballero. No power options. Hence std shift. Has trailer hitches front & rear for boat launching & towing. Someone tore the engine down years ago for reasons unknown. I have access to a running 57 parts car so thought about just switching engines rather than rebuild this one. But I may wish I had passed on this.....been checking parts prices like front end, brake, engine....pretty salty! And I didn't know these cars had closed drive shafts. For now I an storing it and will decide on a plan after the holidays.