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Powerglide thoughts? Who's running one?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by scottsrods, Apr 24, 2013.

  1. scottsrods
    Joined: Jan 6, 2013
    Posts: 50

    scottsrods
    Member

    I have a nice Powerglide I was thinking of running in the '37, behind a '66 l-79 327. Any feed back? It's in good shape and I'm thinking might as well use it. ?
     
  2. Cruiser
    Joined: May 29, 2006
    Posts: 2,241

    Cruiser
    Member

    Run it the PG a very good tranny.
     
  3. harleycontracter
    Joined: Aug 25, 2007
    Posts: 2,057

    harleycontracter
    Member

    Running one in my roadster with 327. Runs good. They have always been a good choice/ Pretty much bullet proof
     
  4. Poesrodandcustom
    Joined: Dec 11, 2012
    Posts: 192

    Poesrodandcustom
    Member
    from Kentucky

    Running a glide in this.
     

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  5. R Pope
    Joined: Jan 23, 2006
    Posts: 3,309

    R Pope
    Member

    Tough, simple transmission. They take lots less HP to run that any other automatic I can think of. Lighter, and smaller too. Great for a rod, especially a light one.
     
  6. i would agree with all above....if the Powerglide has an aluminum case and not cast iron
     
  7. Dooley
    Joined: May 29, 2002
    Posts: 2,956

    Dooley
    Member
    from Buffalo NY

    ditto....have one in mine
     
  8. oldolds
    Joined: Oct 18, 2010
    Posts: 3,407

    oldolds
    Member

    Never had any use for them. I know they are one of the prefered trans for a drag car. I understand why, torque multiplication and other things. That is great after the right parts are put in.
    Stock.. I could waste one in a weekend. ( near stock 327, ot camaro) Turbo 350 would last all summer. I also do not like the way it drives on the street because of only 2 gears. 3 speed trans works nicer when you need to downshift to pass ect.
    This is my opinion. I know I am going against the favorite trans of many people, But I feel that though it can be the right thing for a race car, it might not be the best on the street.
     
  9. ..I love em along with Chevy 6's and 283's an....
     
  10. NortonG
    Joined: Dec 26, 2003
    Posts: 2,117

    NortonG
    Member Emeritus

    I'm putting one behind my 283.
    It'll be in a super light car and the engine is kinda mild.

    I would rather a 3spd trans behind a built 327 for sure.
     
  11. tommy
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 14,757

    tommy
    Member Emeritus

    You can have all of them. Assuming we are talking real world street usage, I can't stand them. I bought my fathers 60 Bel air in 1969. 6 cyl PG what a turd!!!! I can't imagine trying to drive it in 2013. It might be better in a light car but it really bothered me to have to floor it and have the engine racing and not go any faster in order to keep up in traffic. Having only 2 gears is a PITA. I'd sell it to a restorer that wants the old trans if you really want to enjoy driving it. Even if free, wasting time and money on a product that you may not like is not a bargain to me.
     
  12. Swiss50chevy
    Joined: Apr 30, 2009
    Posts: 561

    Swiss50chevy
    Member

    Running one in 56 belair with 283


    Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
     
  13. saltracer219
    Joined: Sep 23, 2006
    Posts: 1,071

    saltracer219
    Member

    I ran one in my 39 for years,good reliable trans. That being said ,I would opt for a 350 turbo, the extra gear split makes a big difference in street performance.
     
  14. GassersGarage
    Joined: Jul 1, 2007
    Posts: 4,727

    GassersGarage
    Member

    We had one in my Dad's '65 Impala station wagon. He hated it. Every few years it would have to be rebuilt. Never had a problem with the 350th.
     
  15. Tommy,
    You are right on the money on this one. I would not give 50 cents for a truckload of them.
     
  16. NortonG
    Joined: Dec 26, 2003
    Posts: 2,117

    NortonG
    Member Emeritus

    I love how the guys that drove with them in big heavy under powered cars hate them, hahaha!
     
  17. badshifter
    Joined: Apr 28, 2006
    Posts: 3,535

    badshifter
    Member

    Don't know what 37 you have, but a 37 anything needs three pedals.
     
  18. hillbilly4008
    Joined: Feb 13, 2009
    Posts: 2,924

    hillbilly4008
    Member
    from Rome NY

    I'm running on in my car. Always seems like its missing a gear or two. But I knew that going into the deal. I'm currently replacing my 409/PG setup with a 283/PG setup (409 needs to be rebuilt) 283/PG was the stock setup in my '66 Impy. It worked then, it'll work now

    Simple fact, PG is a 2spd, there is a reason they were phased out for 3spds, and they are nothing like an OD.
     
  19. Bigcheese327
    Joined: Sep 16, 2001
    Posts: 6,694

    Bigcheese327
    Member

    I had one in my '68 Camaro and couldn't ditch it fast enough for a four-speed. I must be mellowing, though, as I'm kind of excited to put it my wife's car. Should be more fun with 3.42s than with 2.73s, though.
     
  20. Hot Rod Jerry
    Joined: Oct 23, 2011
    Posts: 205

    Hot Rod Jerry
    Member

    Have one in my Model A. It works just fine for me. The car is not a race car, just a little hotrod. Would love a four speed, but am lucky to have what I built. Aint hotrodding great. Im pushing seventy years old, and enjoy the automatic.
     
  21. 3wLarry
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 12,804

    3wLarry
    Member Emeritus
    from Owasso, Ok

    Your 1960 PG was cast iron Tommy...and they were turds. The aluminum ones are much better. 283/PG is a great street combo in a lighter car. Just make sure the PG you want to use is the 1965 and later 28" long one...fine rear spline. Early 1962-64 aluminum ones were 25" long and were coarse rear spline.
     
    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  22. whtbaron
    Joined: Sep 12, 2012
    Posts: 579

    whtbaron
    Member
    from manitoba

    Yep, key here is a light car and a daily driver. Further to the aluminum case comments, if you can find one that was behind a 350 motor, they are built stronger. I'm a little surprised at the comments about them not lasting because they had a reputation for going 200,000 miles trouble free. I had one in a stock 1967 Pontiac Strato Chief 4 door with a 283... took some determination to get a tire spinning but it had over 150k miles on it when I totalled it. Only thing that stopped that tranny was a minister's daughter going the wrong way on a one way street on Friday 13th!
     
  23. belair
    Joined: Jul 10, 2006
    Posts: 9,013

    belair
    Member

    I hate them. Replaced every one with a th350 as soon as was possible. Aluminum or cast iron, doesn't matter, they suck in a street car. Let the drag racers have them.
     
    Last edited: Apr 24, 2013
  24. Chevy55
    Joined: Nov 6, 2008
    Posts: 409

    Chevy55
    Member
    from Nebraska

    If you truly have an L79 327 Chevy never offered an automatic behind this engine. I would want a 4 speed manual to make the 327 sing!!!
     
  25. 26 roadster
    Joined: Apr 21, 2008
    Posts: 2,019

    26 roadster
    Member

    I have used them in light hot rods and have another put back. Here they are hard to find at a reasonable price.(free is a reasonable price)
     
  26. I bought a 65 Elcamino years ago
    it had been upgraded to a 350 but still had the powerglide. I wanted to swap in a turbo 350 but not while it still ran. I tried my best to destroy the bitch but after a year or so of total abuse I not only respected it I actually loved it
     
  27. hillbilly4008
    Joined: Feb 13, 2009
    Posts: 2,924

    hillbilly4008
    Member
    from Rome NY

    Damn you Larry, you just shit in my Cherios!

    The tranny I'm pulling is a '64, the tranny I'm putting in is a '65. Fuck me, theres another driveshaft mod....
     
  28. scottsrods
    Joined: Jan 6, 2013
    Posts: 50

    scottsrods
    Member

    Thanks to all for taking the time to look and comment. I'm just
    trying to save a buck for now. Maybe next year when I'm back to work I'll upgrade .. Being my kids first ride, 4-speed's out for now.. Sure would scream though! But hey, I've got one in my Geo Tracker.
    Hey wait. Why do I get the Tracker and he gets the '37?
     
  29. ANDEREGG TRIBUTE
    Joined: Jan 1, 2008
    Posts: 1,385

    ANDEREGG TRIBUTE
    Member
    from Bordertown

    Those that are complaining about the motor screaming down the freeway, would still do so with anything that doesnt have an over drive high gear. I agree with the newer ones being better, if you can find one with the 1.82 (IFIRC) first gear that would prob be better with a taller rear gear or tall rear tires. The completely stock one I have has seen 6800 engine RPMs and nearly 90 mph while never ever leaving first gear (3.08 or 3.50 rear diff gear) out on the oval dirt track. It was built in 1991, still has most of that fluid in it, and has never had the pan off (10 years of off and on racing and lots of wins). The things are near bullet proof. A bit of mathmatics and a tach will tell you exactly when you are safe to pull it into 1st as a passing gear. I have days that if I would just pull it out from the corner and install it into some of my projects, it would save me tons of heartache. Good Luck

    PS mine came out of a 68 Chevelle Malibu.
     

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