1955 copper

I get so many question over and over about this (that the PG leaks when sitting ) 99% of the time it's #13 as written about in this again drawing. If the valve body show a grove inside it's done for, so many people rebuild there PG and don't look for this situation and then ask why it still leaks . So please read.

There are three metal ring seals (numbers 13 and 14 in the picture) inside the Powerglide that often leak internally inside the transmission. The input shaft ring (#13) seals the input shaft to the inside bore of the valve body and the clutch drum oil seal rings (#14) seals the valve body to the inside bore of the clutch drum. The problem is these are metal ring seals that turn against metal parts. On high mileage transmissions a groove will develop inside the valve body bore from the input shaft ring, and inside the clutch drum from the clutch drum rings, and they will start to leak. You can replace the rings but if the bores of the valve body and the drum are grooved the rings will not seal 100% and the torque converter will leak down over time while parked. Using the best valve body and drum you can find during a rebuild will help.
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1955 copper

Wellllllllllllll it's nice to see no one has a PG in a C1 only 4 speeds out there

Randy G.

Rent, taxes, cast iron power glides burping tranny fluid on the floor. Aren't they all a fact of life?

gmjeff

My '60 powerglide doesn't leak a drop, but I can't wait for it start leaking so I can ask you questions about it! I figure that you know your way around these strange to me transmissions. Oh yeah, sometimes when I put it in gear when its cold, nothing happens. Just neutral - let it warm a bit and everything is fine. I've been draining and refilling to exchange fluid a lot over the summer and now it happens less frequently. Any Ideas about that? This car had only been driven about 70 miles in the last 6 or 7 years prior to my purchasing it in February this year. I've managed about 1200 miles this year so far.
Thanks, Jeff

54greg

Sounds like my life

1955 copper

Sticking body valve , that's all , start driving it more often

1955 copper

Many PG's are like having an old Harley Davidson , you can tell were it's been parked

John BX NY

My first real car was a 71 malibu 307 2bbl with powerglide...the whirring of the powerglide and the sound of the slide into high gear is etched in my brain forever....thanks for sharing

BJ Retired

In defense of the poor old Powerslide. In the late 50's / early 60's Doug (original owner) and my brother used to take the 55 out to the Pleasanton, Ca. Fair grounds on weekends to autocross it. You could leave it in low and run the whole course that way. You can wind it up to almost 60 mph.

Roy; Hasn't leaked a drop since your rebuild. bj

65Bob-bo

Roy, wished you lived closer to Texas. I tried the poor man's rebuild, TransX fluid, in my '59 PG. Still drips. Any recommendation on a quick liquid fix (I'm dreaming)? Had it since November and don't want to leave a spot in a friend's driveway.
thanks, Bob

Randy G.

And when it stops leaking on the floor you know it's time to add oil.

1955 copper

As I started if the valve body input shaft ring wore a grove in the valve body there is no fix ,other then replace it.

BJ Retired

Roy I talked to Roger my tool and die friend who said he could sleeve the valve body. I'll send him my old to practice on......bj

vettefred

Hey Roy...good information.

My powerglide drips only when I fill it to spec using dipstick, hot and in nuetral. I finally stopped filling it and kept driving until it finally stopped leaking. Now it is dry underneath and low on the stick but runs fine.
Thought maybe I had the wrong trans dipstick but after checking it out it is the correct stick. Runs fine currently.
Don't really know what is going on but no longer leaks.

Fred

65Bob-bo

Roy, one more question. Why isn't a transmission cooler needed? Doesn't run hot enough, I suppose. Newer ones apparently hotter.
thanks, Bob