Powerglide Installation

In 1950, when General Motors introduced its automatic transmission called the Powerglide, it equipped only a few vehicles with the simple but tough two-shift design. The Powerglide saw several improvements over the next two decades. Even after production ended in 1973, the Powerglide remained popular, primarily among drag racing enthusiasts. The transmission's simple design allows you to install it with a few common tools you might already have in your toolbox --- plus an assistant and a considerable array of lift and support equipment.

Instructions

Raise the front and rear of your vehicle using a floor jack and support it with two jack stands under the front of the frame and two jack stands under the rear of the frame. The car should be high enough to allow the transmission to be moved under your vehicle. Support the engine with a jack stand under the oil pan rail. (Ideally, you would leave the car raised after removing the transmission being replaced.)

Secure the transmission firmly to a transmission jack and disconnect the negative (black) battery cable with a wrench. Verify that the torque converter, the doughnut-like component at the front of the transmission inside the bell housing, is properly mounted.

Slide the transmission under the vehicle, with the front of the transmission, converter side, facing the engine. Position the transmission about four inches away from the engine, ready to be lifted to its mounting position.

Lift the transmission slowly to its mounting position with the jack and the help of an assistant, being careful not to hit any transmission or engine component. When ready, push the transmission slowly against the rear of the engine. The guide pins on the engine-mounting surface should align with the holes on the transmission bell housing. You might have to wiggle the extension housing --- the rear tail --- of the transmission for alignment.

Verify the studs on the torque converter go into the holes of the flywheel, the large wheel with the gear ring around it, on the rear of the engine.

Install the transmission lower mounting bolts on both sides of the bell housing using a ratchet, long ratchet extension and a socket. Do not yet tighten the bolts all the way.

Lower the transmission jack just enough so that you can gain access to the upper transmission mounting bolts, and install the bolts using a ratchet, long ratchet extension, universal joint and socket. Torque all the transmission mounting bolts to the specifications listed on the service manual for your particular vehicle make and model.

Install the converter-to-flywheel mounting bolts using a wrench. You will need to rotate the crankshaft by the center bolt on the crankshaft pulley, at the front and bottom of the engine, to access all the converter-to-flywheel mounting bolts. Use a ratchet and socket to rotate the crankshaft.

Replace the torque converter access cover under the bell housing using a ratchet and socket.

Install the transmission support crossmember and the engine rear mount using a ratchet, ratchet extension and socket. Remove the transmission jack and move it out of the way.

Connect the drive shaft to the transmission and rear axle. This long shaft transfers rotating power from the rear of the transmission to the rear axle and wheels. Slide the front yoke of the drive shaft into the rear of the transmission extension housing. Align the rear yoke on the drive shaft with its mounting flange on the rear axle. Pull the drive shaft against the rear axle so the rear yoke mounting holes align with the mounting holes on the rear axel flange. Secure the drive axle to the rear axle with the mounting bolts using a ratchet and socket.

Attach the level rods to the transmission. These rods control the manual and throttle valves. Connect the speedometer cable, vacuum modulator and oil cooler lines. Follow the instructions in your service manual for your specific vehicle make and model.

Lower your vehicle and fill the transmission with the recommended oil for your particular vehicle make and model as described in your service manual and connect the negative (black) battery cable with the wrench.