TRWham

We are going to drop a '58 371 into our '56 88 that we acquired with a '55 324 and slant pan. The '58 transmission has a longer tailshaft. We know the 371 and its '58 Jetaway are functional. We also have a '56 Jetaway from our other car, but it's running status is unknown. Given these puzzle pieces, we see the potential options for mating all this up as:

1. Use the 371 with its Jetaway and have a shorter driveshaft made to fit.
2. Transplant the known good '58 internals into the '56 88 gearbox.
3. Try the '56 Jetaway as is.
4. Acquire another known good transmission that will fit as is.

Given these options, does anyone here have an opinion on the best course of action (including any other options)? The short term goal is to get the car on the road, and further work will be done, but we want to avoid rebuilding the '56 Jetaway at this time.

Tedd Thompson

First of all all of these transmissions are 60 + years old and probably all need attention somewhere unless you really know their history. I probably take a chance on number 3 if you have a lift and are handy at swapping transmissions (it could come out and in several times) and money is the factor. Or if money isn't a major issue send the 56 Jetaway or the Slant Pan off and get it rebuilt so you don't have to worry about it ever again. By the time you pay to get the drive line shortened your cost would be less with the 56 Jetaway than the 58 and your gear selector would match your transmission better than the Slant Pan. Just my thoughts.

You are lucky you have as many good selections as you do. Keep us informed as how this works out..... Tedd

TRWham

Thanks! Money is a factor, but also time. The idea is to do the least we reasonably can to get the car on the road, then continue with a more thorough restoration. In effect, we will build a rat rod, but that's not the long term goal. I have no issue with true rat rods, but the current fad for synthetic ones is just insipid. When you start faking sunburned paint and surface rust you have jumped the shark.