mrtexas

My engine crapped out 40 miles from home with a knocking noise like bent pushrod or loose rocker arm. I plan on retrieving it tomorrow with a tow dolly.

It is a 63 327 with a powerglide.

I assume I can put the powerglide in neutral and tow by the front wheels?

6T7L71CPE

I fried a Turbo 350 by towing it a couple thousand miles like that. So, you might not fry it but it may hurt it since it's not being lubed by the pump. $.02

csysman

join AAA+ and tell them to bring a flat bed (they tow up to 100 mikes
at no xtra charge

kellsdad

There are many different opinions on this topic (example), and I don't know the answer myself. Until JohnZ shows up and sets the record straight, I'd play it safe and get all four wheels up off the ground. U-Haul rents a car hauler trailer if your tow vehicle is big enough to handle it.

P.S.
Don't even think about putting your rear wheels on the dolly and towing it backwards. It's unstable.

MikeM

No need to argue about it or wait for someone to come along. Why not look in the Owner's Manual? Or the '63 Service Manual.

"If a vehicle is equipped with Powerglide becomes disabled and requires towing or pushing, speed must not exceed 30 mph. Driveshaft must be disconnected if vehicle is to be towed at speeds above 30 mph.

When towing a vehicle on it's front wheels only, the steering wheel should be secured to maintain a straight forward posotion."

If the problem is a rocker or pushrod, I'd just fix it alongside the road.

C6Matt

Powerglides wont get lube if towed in neutral, to do it without damage you need to pull the rear of the drive shaft and tie the shaft out of the way (or pull it and install a trans plug)..4 bolts. otherwise your only option is roll-back or car trailer.

*note - powerglides did have a rear pump up to the 66 model year, it was eliminated in 67. Even though it would seem that you would get enough lube with that pump, the factory recommendation was still to not flat tow the car in neutral.

SledgeHammer 2.0

Don't.

Tow dolly's are the worst. Not only will you hurt your car towing it, There is a good chance you will do body damage trying to push it onto the tow dolly.


Just hire a flat bad, even if it's $200.00 (shouldn't be) it's worth it.

OldKarz

I would use a flat bed.

MikeM

I posted the factory recommendation above your post. Where did you get your misinformation?

musclecarman54

Call a tow service. I would bet that your insurance policy has tow insurance added in somewhere. Cost me 2.50 every 6 months used it once.

C6Matt

I should of stated that I assumed he would want to go faster than 30mph, he's 40 miles away. I know I would.. but if it were me it would be on a car trailer. If I HAD to use a dolly... drop the shaft. You are correct that if he crawled along he would get home...eventually. And if you are assuming there are no roads with a minimum speed along the way IE..freeway.

MikeM

I didn't really "assume" anything. Just copied the info out of the '63 Service Manual put out by Chevrolet. I think the same info is in the '63 Owner's Manual.

Here was his question.

"I assume I can put the powerglide in neutral and tow by the front wheels?"

I was merely correcting your post about the factory recommendation.

MiguelsC2

If the dolley is your most convienent method? Use it.

I am not sure why it would mess up your body work? That would be up to the incompetence of the loader.

I have towed many vehicles on a dolley.

Dolleys are great for quick transport.

My first choice would be the flatbed.

Nowhere Man

I would not tow a car going to junk yard on a dolly non the less a classic car. I heard and seen to many bad things as a result of using one

mrtexas

Well, why didn't I think of this last night? My insurance covers towing. I haven't had to get a car towed since I don't know when.

The flatbed came by and I'm safely home now.

This made all the racket:



I actually towed a restored frame from Kansas City to Beaumont,Tx on a tow dolly, my only experience.

C6Matt

push rod bent? any other damage? its probibly the angle of the photo, but is the rocker nut looser than the other ones?

mrtexas

The rocker arm must have gotten loose.

MiguelsC2

I have towed over 100 cars with a dolly. Never had anything resembling an incident.

Like many things. It's only as good as the user.

I will admit, I would search for other options when it comes to my Vette. But I would use it if thats all I have. For very short distance in an emergency.

I don't tow my C2 in any fashion unless theres a shield on the trailer. Thats why the flatbed is my first choice.

mike16

I have had both good and bad experiences, nobody's fault but mine.

MikeM

See post #15.