VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions 54 Powerglide Repair Wanted

Anybody know of anyone who knows how to fix a 54 Powerglide in the San Diego area??

I have a fellow region member who had one repaired at a local shop, they made a mess of it, and refuse to make it right. It leaks like a sieve.

Anyone know of a shop. AAMCO maybe??

Thanks

PM me if you don't want to reply publicly. Thanks.

Hey Rick,
I think your best bet would be to reach out to the local region. There is a VCCA Region in San Diego as well as an AACA Region. I would try contacting both. I am sure someone will know somebody somewhere in the area, or at least tell you who not to go to.
Good luck

If it drives and shifts OK I would locate the source of the leaks first and see what is involved in resealing. It is not that bad a job to do other than the removal and installing. Also be sure it has been filled to the correct level and not overfilled.

Also when does it leak? after driving or after sitting for a few weeks and not being driven?

[quote=styleline51]Anybody know of anyone who knows how to fix a 54 Powerglide in the San Diego area??

I have a fellow region member who had one repaired at a local shop, they made a mess of it, and refuse to make it right. It leaks like a sieve.

Anyone know of a shop. AAMCO maybe??

Thanks

PM me if you don't want to reply publicly. Thanks. [/quote]

Maybe I misread this but I think his friend has the leaky unit after it was repaired and he just wants to know of a good tranny shop in his area so he does not have the same problem as his friend

Hi John and All:
Thanks for the words of encouragement. This is a fellow San Diego region member. The other members have been scratching their heads as they don't have any good experiences with local shops recently. This member has had the car back twice and the shop is uncooperative. Their other fear is they would rather not let this shop have another crack at an already botched job--not to mention the shop won't talk to the member further at this point.

I'm headed over today to assess the transmission condition. I did warn the member not to drive it as it would be severely damaged if driven without fluid.

Also, does anyone know which modern ATF to use? The Shop Manual says TYPE A, and as I don't own one of these babies, I haven't shopped for fluid. Wondering out loud if the wrong fluid could cause leak.

Will update everyone. Thanks for your help folks. :patriot:

Type A was an old designation. The cheapest Dexron sold today is much better than type ever was.

Do a search on how to check the fluid level as I believe if overfilled it will puke out.

Rick,
Did you try asking any in the local AACA region also? Even the Buick Club? Somebody has to know somebody out there

the pg fluid is checked in neutral not park.
Al

Yes and I believe with the engine running at idle.

The reason I asked is that it is normal for them to leak or puke out of the filler tube if the engine has not been run for a few weeks.. Also on a 1950-1954 the engine should never be run for any length of time with the trnsmission in Park. Worse is to run the engine in Park when first starting after not being run for a few weeks. The converter, which drains down after a period of time, will not refill in Park and the fluid gets whipped up due to the lever being over full and it will burp fluid.

Could point John. I will check the local AACA region.

Regarding the leak, I went over to assess it yesterday. The member did make it a point to tell me when the car is started up she noticed it did leak quite a bit. Getting under the car, I noticed ATF dripping from around the right side cover (oil pump?) and from several drain plugs?? They did appear tight but I wonder if the threads should have been sealed?? (I'm speaking out my south end as I know nothing about PGs. LOL)

I will pass on the pointers about not idling in Park also. Thanks

[quote]the pg fluid is checked in neutral not park.
Al [/quote]

I don't want to hi-jack this thread but I feel obligated to point out some conflict in information.
The 1950 Chevrolet owners manual conflicts with what AL had said, this is from from page 23:

"AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION- Check oil level with engine idling, parking brake set, transmission warm and control lever in "D" range......."

I know later on there were to be checked in neutral, and there were many changes on the first generation powerglide's from year to year maybe this is different for 1954

Gene,
I PMd you. Some private thoughts about the member's car.

Thanks

I still have most of the sleeve that slid over the driver's side sunvisor on my '51 PG two door. It instructs to not idle for extended periods in park and check the fluid level HOT in neutral. Drive might be a bit more accurate but not nearly as safe as neutral.

I agree checking it in drive is really not the safest way to do things and requires two people, but that is what the book says in 1950. Powerglides were evolving and the 50 unit is different then the later ones, no automatic upshift or downshift reminds me of driving a dynaflow

All the later material says check in neutral I tested it both was and got the same readings.

The reason a 1950-1954 P.G should not have the engine run in Park for any length of time is because the lubrication flow is cut off and the various bushings and the clutch plates are not getting lubrication.
also if the transmission is hot no fluid is passing through the fluid cooler. When the torque converter has drained down it will not refill when in Park, the overfull fluid will contact the planet carrier which is spinning, causing the fluid to foam and further expand and get forced out of the filler tube.

The same can exist in a 1955-1957 however they can be run in park with not fluid cut-off problems.

The 1958 and up have a taller dip stick tube and that seems to help with the burping problem.

I was always told not to sit in drive at a light or in traffic not moving with these first gen pg's. Told to put it in neutral when stopped, has anyone else heard this?

Not me. Often I put it in LOW particularly if on a upgrade. The '51 PG does not down or upshift. Have to do they manually.

I have never heard that one. Even with my modern cars I flip it up into neutral if I know it will take a few minutes wait such has at a train crossing.

[quote=Chipper]Not me. Often I put it in LOW particularly if on a upgrade. The '51 PG does not down or upshift. Have to do they manually. [/quote]

Chip
Whats an upgrade? you remember I am a flatlander, and you can't get any flatter then Long Island and Florida

John, Just picture going up the Washington or Brooklyn Bridges.
Those are your hills. :sick:

One last thought, if we stop the burping and it has just a small leak in Neutral after running a while, does Bars Leak transmission sealer do a good job stopping minor leaks, or should it be avoided??

A transmission sealer softens old hard seals. If your PG has been rebuilt I would doubt that is the problem as the most common culprits, the converter cover O ring and front pump seals should have been replaced at that time.