I just got a 1966 with a 283 2 barrel and a power glide transmission. Question is what to expect powerwise. I just got a Holley 2 barrel 500 cfm to replace the old Rochester 2 jet, and got a re-build kit with a mild cam. I have read allot on the power glides, and its about a 50/50 split on those that say the Power Glide good if you have the horse power to appreciate it; and the folks that say stick a 700r in it and you'll bark the tires going into second. Any thoughts guys?
it totally depends on what you want your truck to do.... 1. do you want speed/quickness? Replace the drive train with a 6.0/4l80 add cam and tune, ya got cheap 500HP 2. do you want reliability and on the cheap? Rebuild the 283, stick a 200r4/700r4 behind it and love the MPG's too. Or?
...or drive and enjoy the '66 Chevy truck with the unmolested running gear. Although under-powered, compared to their contemporary counterparts, the 283/Powerglide is a nice combination. I have a had a few that were so quiet, when started, you could hardly hear them run. They would do 70 mph on the highway with the stock 3.73:1 rear at approximately 2,400 rpm.
The only time I would recommend getting rid of a powerglide is if you live in a mountainous area. Climbing hills can be miserable, because low gear runs out, and there isn't enough torque to keep going in high gear. On flat ground it's a reliable and smooth combination, just not very quick to accelerate.
