The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1954 powerglide question

I just traded for a 54 four door belair with a power glide. Reverse is not working. Any tips? It purrs like a kitten and is still on 6 volt. The radio even works. The only thing wrong with it is reverse. I know it's not a truck but oh well it sure is a smooth running 235!

[img]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y133/orange54/MagicDragonCarShow038.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y133/orange54/MagicDragonCarShow033.jpg[/img]

Nice huh?

[img]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y133/orange54/MagicDragonCarShow032.jpg[/img]


[img]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y133/orange54/MagicDragonCarShow036.jpg[/img]

I had one just like that a few years back . In fact, that's the one I got the rear axle out of to put under my 37 to give me a 3.54 rear gear.

If you don't mind me asking, what did you have to give for it? If you do mind me asking, just say so - it's OK!

6clynder was that swap just the pig/pumpkin defferential gear assy. or houseing and all- I looking to do some thing like that to my 40?

I have a 68 2 door satellite. I bought a four door 69 that had a road runner hood and dash pieces that I needed. I took them off of it and traded it even up for the 54 chevrolet.

$550.00 for the four door plymouth and I took a bunch of parts off of it.

We were both happy with the trade. Win win.

pull the pan off and see if the band is broken...look in the pan for metal clues.

If it's the reverse band I hear its the last one to get to. Total rebuild I would guess.

Man. Some guys have all the luck.

Hey, Tim, I don't want to hijack your thread, but when and where are the cruise-ins in Jeff City? I've been thinking about bringing the '51 up, but don't know when, where, etc.

Tim,

Last Saturday of the month. Stingray from Kirksville has been coming down. They are a lot of fun. If I can get the title by then for the bel air I'll bring it otherwise the 54 truck gets washed and cleaned up a bit.

Tim

Oh yeah there is a car show that morning that has trophies and such. I'll probably enter the bel air for fun. My problem is I have more cars than drivers even if my wife drove one down. Come on up.

Tim

The reverse strut is probably broke, the band may or may not be ok.

wdofftexas,

Is the reverse strut something on the outside of the trans or internal? It tries to back up but just won't do it. I havn't crawled under it.

Tim

This is where the Chilton's repair manual is valuble. It has the information about your tranny in it and I am sure will be of help in repairing it.

Rebuilt trannys , if you can find one, go for about $1600 w/rebuildable core. ........g

GMONIZ,

I feel lucky. I got quoted $150.00 to $200.00 for labor and I found a master rebuild kit at fatsco transmission for around $220.00. If it needs a ring then I'm in trouble. But there is one lying under where my dad had big bales for his neighbors cattle. I couldn't beleive it. There were two 283 complete motors there too. My dad says they date id back to 1957 chevrolets.

It sounds like I need to do the rebuild though.

bessie,
according to my 1951 powerglide manual, putting it in reverse sends pressure to the modulator valve, which in turn forces the pressure regulator valve to increase the line pressure for the reverse servo. If this modulator valve is acting up, it could contribute or cause your problem. If it were me, I would try unhooking the vacuum line to the modulator to see if that makes a difference.

TMix,

I'll try it tomorrow. That's why we love the Stovebolt.

It may or may not work but if it does I've saved dropping it for a rebuild which is what I was going to do to fix it.

Thanks
Tim

bessie,
by the way I was drooling over your "new" car too! Best of luck.

I would sure check the band adjustments on that trans first Ronnie

Ronnie,

Hows that done? Sounds like a drive over to the oldest trans man in town is in order. He's the one quoting the cheap rebuild price. Didn't know there was any adjustment.

Tim

This may sound too simple, but check the linkage adjustment.

Also, I have a '56 with 235 and powerglide and the motor mounts got worn and didn't allow the linkage to move all the way to engage reverse.

This may not be your problem but it would be bad news if you paid for a rebuild and your problem was something simple.

Bessie, Tobasco is sure dead on with that sugestion ,. also the oldest trans man in town is a good idea. Its easy to confuse the cast iron glide with the later aluminum ones but the best I remember the adj. on that band can be done externaly, also the cast iron glide doesn't have an oil pan.so almost all work on the inside requires dissambly. Adjustment of the band is a mater of losing a jam nut and runnig the center stud ddown and torquing with an inch lbs. torque wrench then backing off a given amount and set the jam nut. You need to get the specs from someone or maybe the oldest trans guy would do that for a reasonably price. If the oil looks and smells good you probably don't have major problems unless its a broken band

Hey Bessie,

We were thinking about what to do this sat. Want to get together(wives & kids)? I just put plates on the red '51 again. Would love to take it on a bit of a road trip. (or we could leave Jr. at grandma's and get the Vette out......Haven't had the wind in my hair in a loonnggg time!!)

B.T.W. like the '54.
Is that '54 truck you told me about back in April still around down there? Just looking for a good front clip for that '54 'Burb I've been thinking about buying.
Stingray

hey bessie. I'll tell you what you might try on that glide. Onthe aluminum case glides my son runs a t the drag strip on ocasionthe reverse band gets too loose for the trans brake to hold and he will just break the jam nut and run the adj screw in about a half round aand then it will hold. when you apply the trans brake it puts the trans in low and reverse at the samew timeand if the bands too loose it wont hold the reverse drum. Ronnie

Woo hoo!

I stopped by to talk to the trans man. He said if I'd bring the sucker in he'd fix it labor free. Not sure what parts I'll need but none the less I'm going to go for a free rebuild. Thanks to all who replied. Now how many bad words do you think I'll say while removing that boat anchor?

tim

Bessie,

Great-looking project. Would you mind switching the images to links tho. This thread seems to be pretty popular (which is good) and having just a link will help us save on some bandwidth concerns.

Thanks,
Peg

Staff,

Not sure how to do that. Can I just delete the pictures? I think the photobucket account if I link to it asks for a password. I will do some checking or if you can just delete the pics that is good too.

Thanks,

Tim