VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 Early powerglide shifting

A question for the older guys, who almost always know more than us younger guys. On the early powerglides that start out in high gear and do not shift, is it feasible, as far as fuel economy is concerened, to start out in low, and manually shift to drive at lets say 15 to 20 mph, in city driving situations?
Also, are the early powerglides built to withstand this, as I am unsure of the changes they made to the '53 and later transmissions?

I think a number of 'early' PG owners drive just as you indicate. Start out in low and shift into drive at 10-15-20, or so. I'm not aware of any negative consequences. Not sure it would do much for fuel economy.

But check back Steve --- others may have different opinion....

Bill.

The 50-52 PG transmission were meant to start out in low and then shifted to high around 15 MPH. I believe my info is correct,anyone else??

For racing we would drop it into low and rap it up and then shift to drive. For normal driving we just let it shift itself.

Richard's recounting of 'racing' by starting out in low and manually shifting into high brings back memories.

But, for "normal" driving the 50-52 PG didn't "shift itself." If the gear selector was in Drive, you started out in Drive, not Low.

The 53 was the first PG to 'shift' from low to high when in the "Drive" position.

I don't mean to be picky, just don't want "youngsters" to get confused....

Bill.

I guess I got a bit cornfuzed myself. The car we had was a '54. I reckon it's been 50 years since we had that one.

The 1950-52 Power Glides were not meant to start off in low and shifted to drive at every start. In 1953 a better low band and clutch discs were used to better withstand the constant shifting. The 1950-52 can be shifted from low to drive (or drive to low (for engine braking) under 40 MPH - but not as an every day thing. I frequently did this with the 1950 I had in 1952 as well as the '50 I presently own.
I only use low for a faster starts suhch as to cross and intersection, etc. They start of faster in Drive than you think. With the smooth flow of power they do quite well once underway. Chevrolet compared it to starting off in 2nd gear with a conventional transmission.
In constant city driving the fuel milage could be slightly better when low is used.

As Chevgene explains, I too, have been using low gear to take off at intersections where I am on a fairly steep incline. So, I take it that occasional starts in Low, and shifting to Drive at conservative rpm's can be tolerated by the old powerglide? And Mr. Chevgene, you say you have done this frequently in the vehicles you own (have owned). Have thes transmissions been modified at all? I wish to thank everyone for their input. I have thoroughly enjoyed my 3 month old purchase, and I am not looking forward to storing it for the winter!

For the 1950 PG I had in 1952 -put almost 30,000 miles on it in a year and a half. Had 16,000 when I bought it from the office manager at the Chevrolet dealer where I was employed. I drove that car hard and often up-shifted at 45 MPH. I never had any problems with the PG (or engine).
My present 1950 PG - I have known the car since it had 20,000 miles on it. I bought around 2000 it at 36,000 and now up to 55,000. I wind it out in low on ocaisons to blow out the carbon to to keep up wiyh highway traffic. When I drove it to Colorado in 2006 it was necessary to use low gear in the mountains for long periods of time. Would keep it at 35 to 40 MPH because if it was in drive it would loose speed. The Power Glides were never good hill climbers under 50 MPH dut to the 3.555 rear end. A 216 with a 4.11 would run away from it on hills. Since that trip it seems to drip a little more fluid and add about a Qt. a year.
The 1953 and up PG had the automatic low and at full throttle they would up-shift at about 40 MPH.
The weak spot in the early PG units was the reverse band and the link that applied the band and leakage problems. I doubt if there are many of those cars with the original bands. The later replacement links and bands were made much better. If the low band was replaced it was also of the better improved style.
You can tell if the PG was ever removed by lifting up the floor mat and looking at the screws that hold the center hump cover in place. If the paint on the head of the screw is scrathed up the PG has been out.
I would recommend draining the sump and adding fresh fluid - will take about 5 Qts of Dexron III for the refill. Not necessary to drain the converter.

Thank you Gene for your detailed reply. I appreciate it very much. Although I have only been on this forum for about a month now, it is quite evident that you are the man with "the final answer". You, sir are a huge asset to the Chevy community, and to this forum, THANK YOU