Powerglide Questions

Ed Carpenter · 07-04-2011, 04:30 PM

Yeah yeah I know I'm a stick guy why am I asking PG questions. It's for my brother. He just purchased a 72 Vega. Going to run brackets to start out. It has a PG in it, but it had metal shavings in the pan. He took it to be looked at to AAMCO. Big mistake. They said they cleaned it all up and replaced the valve body and told him to get a new convertor. Well he bought a new TCI convertor 4000 stall. Put trans back in and it won't go into reverse at all ????. Pulled the pan back off and full of metal shavings again. Ok first he is looking for another trans. What 1st gear would work best for this. Engine is a 383 making 425 HP. 4.88 gear. Also can the new convertor be flushed out or ?????????? What would be the cause for no reverse? Thanks for any input. Ed

Dragsinger · 07-04-2011, 05:06 PM

Ed, this book will answer all your questions. If you desire with the help of this book and your on-line friends you can easily repair the Powerglide.

http://www.tsr-racing.com/shop/power...chnical+Manual

THE LEGEND · 07-04-2011, 05:56 PM

ED,
Call Marco Abruzzi. He has a very good Price on a Bracket PG and you won't have any issues.
I like the 180 stright Cut gear set, but lots of guys running stock 176 and 182 depends on if you are Footbraking or Transbraking
Chip

Mike Walter · 07-04-2011, 07:15 PM

A powerglide's reverse works by fluid being directed from the valve body into a port in the bottom of the case into a chamber which when filled, will push against a reverse piston until it compresses the reverse clutches. This applies reverse. Most problems with reverse not working have to with the reverse clutches being burned up, or a rubber seal in the piston having failed. Not much else would cause a problem. Since your description of the powerglide you have involves lots of foreign matter in the pan, my bet is your reverse clutches are spent.

I have seen individuals which needed to change a case and then find themselves without reverse. There are alum. powerglides which came with a reverse pump somewhat similar to the front pump. When using a case which came with this, you have to drill the passage from the bottom of the case so it can be activated from valve body pressure.

Hope this helps....Mike

greg fulk · 07-04-2011, 09:41 PM

Ed is it a trans brake powerglide? You say going to bracket race it for now....is he thinking of running Hot/Rod S/ST with it some day? If so when you redo it go ahead & put a pro-tree brake in it....also go ahead & get a good name brand 8" converter ( you can have it loosened later when needed) this will put him steps ahead & make for a better bracket car.

07-04-2011, 04:30 PM	#1
Ed Carpenter Live Reporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dripping Springs, Tx Posts: 2,709 Likes: 186 Liked 520 Times in 132 Posts	Powerglide Questions Yeah yeah I know I'm a stick guy why am I asking PG questions. It's for my brother. He just purchased a 72 Vega. Going to run brackets to start out. It has a PG in it, but it had metal shavings in the pan. He took it to be looked at to AAMCO. Big mistake. They said they cleaned it all up and replaced the valve body and told him to get a new convertor. Well he bought a new TCI convertor 4000 stall. Put trans back in and it won't go into reverse at all ????. Pulled the pan back off and full of metal shavings again. Ok first he is looking for another trans. What 1st gear would work best for this. Engine is a 383 making 425 HP. 4.88 gear. Also can the new convertor be flushed out or ?????????? What would be the cause for no reverse? Thanks for any input. Ed __________________ Ed Carpenter 2005 Chevy Cobalt A/SM Race Engine Development

07-04-2011, 05:06 PM	#2
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,760 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Powerglide Questions Ed, this book will answer all your questions. If you desire with the help of this book and your on-line friends you can easily repair the Powerglide. http://www.tsr-racing.com/shop/power...chnical+Manual __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

07-04-2011, 05:56 PM	#3
THE LEGEND VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Fayetteville, n.c. Posts: 1,411 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Powerglide Questions ED, Call Marco Abruzzi. He has a very good Price on a Bracket PG and you won't have any issues. I like the 180 stright Cut gear set, but lots of guys running stock 176 and 182 depends on if you are Footbraking or Transbraking Chip

07-04-2011, 07:15 PM	#4
Mike Walter Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 117 Likes: 12 Liked 46 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Powerglide Questions A powerglide's reverse works by fluid being directed from the valve body into a port in the bottom of the case into a chamber which when filled, will push against a reverse piston until it compresses the reverse clutches. This applies reverse. Most problems with reverse not working have to with the reverse clutches being burned up, or a rubber seal in the piston having failed. Not much else would cause a problem. Since your description of the powerglide you have involves lots of foreign matter in the pan, my bet is your reverse clutches are spent. I have seen individuals which needed to change a case and then find themselves without reverse. There are alum. powerglides which came with a reverse pump somewhat similar to the front pump. When using a case which came with this, you have to drill the passage from the bottom of the case so it can be activated from valve body pressure. Hope this helps....Mike

07-04-2011, 09:41 PM	#5
greg fulk VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: jackson Posts: 1,165 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Powerglide Questions Ed is it a trans brake powerglide? You say going to bracket race it for now....is he thinking of running Hot/Rod S/ST with it some day? If so when you redo it go ahead & put a pro-tree brake in it....also go ahead & get a good name brand 8" converter ( you can have it loosened later when needed) this will put him steps ahead & make for a better bracket car. __________________ Greg Fulk 308 308X P/SA "ALL AMERICAN"