transmission change

1946 BN IHC · May 28, 2020

This is a question for those who have had a lot of experience ""MORE PARTICULARILY ON AUTOMOTUIVES"" I know this is not a auto site BUT;
We are looking at a 1939 Plymoth 4 door and the question ?? how difficult and how does one go about doing the following >> removing the manuel on the floor transmission and installing an automatic so my wife can drive it more easily { she has little to no use of her right hand due to a birth difficulty 74 years ago}.
Any information would be welcome.
my email is open.
Thank you Wm.

centash · May 28, 2020

It might be easier to replace engine and trans together...see if you could find the drive train from a pickup truck or another rear wheel drive vehicle, and make the mounts to fit it.....then you would be able to have power steering as well.

Ben

leroy in ne · May 28, 2020

By memory only. It would have to be from a 1955 thru 1959 Plymouth or Dodge 6 cylinder only. They were shifted by a cable, some were push button and some a dash mounted lever. Note no park position, a transmission mounted emergency brake was used like the standard transmission.

leroy in ne · May 28, 2020

Additional thoughts. You may run into trouble with over all length of engine/trans making it necessary to move cross member and shorten drive shaft. clearance of fire wall and floor boards for transmission may also enter into it.

Steve@Advance · May 28, 2020

If this is something you are just interested in buying, unless it has sentimental value or just an extremely good deal, you would be better finding something with an automatic already in place.

Trying to change it would be a very costly job.

The other alternative would be to change out the drive train for something later model, more serviceable.

Then you have antiquated brakes, suspension, and electrical. Power steering and AC would also be nice too!

Duner Wi · May 28, 2020

This might be of interest, especially the 1941 version available.

https://www.allpar.com/mopar/fluidrive.html

David G · May 28, 2020

I would agree, replace engine and transmission with modern one, keep old one for when car sold later.

cdmn · May 28, 2020

Maybe you should buy the most deluxe PT Cruiser you can find and take good care of it. Could be a "keeper". Perhaps a "Woody".
Cruisers

steve_in_mo · May 28, 2020

It's not a job for an amateur. Others have described the
simple approach to use a late-fifties/early sixties Chrysler
slant six with automatic transmission. You would need to buy
or fabricate mounts for the engine and transmission, and a
driveshaft. You would need to convert the engine to six volt
or the car to twelve volt.

The following is not a purist approach, and it is not cheap but
the go-to process for street rods is to use the frame, engine,
transmission, drive train, etc from a Chevy S10 pickup. The
engine and accessories are relatively compact. You could have
body mounts fabricated, and use a late model steering wheel
and column shift.

Janicholson · May 28, 2020

If she can operate the steering with her right hand safely, and comfortably, Maybe turning the steering column 180 degrees so the shifter is on the left side. The shift tabs on the far side of the fire wall would be reversed, but the pattern should be the same. Jim

Keith-OR · May 28, 2020

Most cars of that era had floor shift , so it would do absolutely no good the rotate steering column. And he said it has a floor shifter!!

Janicholson · May 28, 2020

Ah yes, he did. I failed to look at that issue well. From looking at images of 39 plymouths, none I saw had floor shifts. So with that issue in mind, putting a column shift trans in it from that era might still be the most cost effective solution. Maybe a special steering knob as well. Jim

jimg.allentown · May 28, 2020

What you suggest is basically a fool's errand.

you say you are "looking at" this car. Why buy something that is not suitable as it is only to butcher it up. You obviously do not have the level of expertise needed for the conversion or you would not have asked the question that you asked.

I suggest that you keep looking. Automatic transmissions made their debut around the time period you are looking at with GM's HydraMatic which was offered as an option around that era. They first appeared in Oldsmobile and Cadillac cars. Better to look for one of those than to build a different car out of an old Plymouth.

RedMF40 · May 28, 2020

Unless your wife is 74 and you are 25 and ready to take on the world, I'd suggest leaving this project alone. Would be interesting to know why you are looking at this car and if there's something else that's better-suited to what you're trying to do.

Gerrit

1946 BN IHC · May 28, 2020

Thank you Fellows!
After I wrote this question and on the way to a
Chiropractors appointment the thought came to me ""Didn't Chrystler Dodge have a push button controlled transmission in the late 50 early
60 s?
You Know that would be the solution to her shitting difficulties if one of these cars could be found that needed little to "no" major work ""JUST a lite touch up on the exterior with a polish cloth.""
This is why I appreciate this site so much for those " who know " or have had experience in any given area of "mechanics" are able to direct, teach, coach, suggest, and offer leadership on many subjects. Combined Knowledge is invaluable. Over the centuries ""TOO" much good knowledge and understanding has been lost.
Thank you again
Wm.

caterpillar guy · May 29, 2020

Since it has a floor shift find out if it has the fluid drive. If it does it can be driven like an automatic. Just put it in gear and step on the throttle. Will be doggy at take off. Should be fine after getting going. They can also be driven as a standard transmission just shift with the clutch pedal. We had a 53 dodge with that fluid drive in a 1 ton truck. Could drive it like that empty. For city driving it could be put on second and would go just like any other vehicle. Would not be so good for road driving till in high. Ours was a 4 speed.
Or as others said pursue a car with an automatic in a different vehicle.

Leroy · May 29, 2020

The 1960 Rambler Classic had a push button trabsmission with the push buttons on left side of steering wheel. And the 196 was a good engine, cast iron, the aluminm engines have heard not so good.

kencombs · May 29, 2020

(quoted from post at 06:39:31 05/28/20) This is a question for those who have had a lot of experience ""MORE PARTICULARILY ON AUTOMOTUIVES"" I know this is not a auto site BUT;
We are looking at a 1939 Plymoth 4 door and the question ?? how difficult and how does one go about doing the following >> removing the manuel on the floor transmission and installing an automatic so my wife can drive it more easily { she has little to no use of her right hand due to a birth difficulty 74 years ago}.
Any information would be welcome.
my email is open.
Thank you Wm.

There are a lot of ways to do that, but not cheap or easy.

Adapters are available to fit autos to it. But all will require some to a lot of modification and fab to the frame and or floor.
Autos from any flathead mopar in the 50s will bolt to the engine. But the same comments about mods to the frame and floor apply.

The earlier mention of the fluid drive is a possible fit, but again, it will bolt to the engine ok, but mods will be needed, but probably fewer that with a true auto. And note that acceleration with that trans will be 'stately', not quick. It will need to use the clutch and some shifting, but not as much as a true standard shift. With some creativity, a left hand shift mechanism is possible.

All in all, if I really really wanted it and could do the fab work or afford to have it done, a two speed Powerflite from a 56-59 with the push button shift would be my choice. I've done the pushbutton install in 3 pickups. Chrysler hemi into a mid 50s Ford. So, it's doable.

buickanddeere · May 29, 2020

Auto spell and word prediction makes for some startling posts .
Most common auto transmissions have a full manual valve body kit available from the aftermarket . Just use a cable shifter.
No need to worry about vacuum lines or throttle cables . Phoenix Machine shop has adapters from any Bellhousing to to any transmission . The job is "almost " bolt in . https://phxgrp.com/engine-auxiliary/transmission-adapters/

buickanddeere · May 29, 2020

Would want a 3500rpm torque converter to match the engine s low torque .
Valve body to make an automatic manual . https://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/automatic-transmission-valve-bodies/transmission-type/torqueflite-a-904/valve-body-style/full-manual

kencombs · May 29, 2020

(quoted from post at 12:34:04 05/29/20)
Auto spell and word prediction makes for some startling posts .
Most common auto transmissions have a full manual valve body kit available from the aftermarket . Just use a cable shifter.
No need to worry about vacuum lines or throttle cables . Phoenix Machine shop has adapters from any Bellhousing to to any transmission . The job is "almost " bolt in . https://phxgrp.com/engine-auxiliary/transmission-adapters/

that 'almost ' is the kicker. It ignores the fact that most auto trans are bigger than the trans tunnel in older/smaller cars. The driveshaft is custom as is the mounting crossmember for the trans. The Plymouth front mount requires a 2 point rear mount which is on the clutch housing in stock configuration. No modern autos have that as a feature of the torque converter housing. And that's a custom cable shifter you mentioned for left hand operation.

Almost indeed.

transmission change

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