Topic: powerglide trans

[Don R]

I had my race car trans checked today, It is 2 years old and seemed to be working fine. It has about 125 1/4 mile runs on it so counting driving to the start line about 100 miles. Long story short it is a metal case full of junk, a few more runs and it would be total toast. Glad I had it checked by my new trans guy. He showed me each part as it came out and after looking at a couple pieces he predicted what was wrong then showed me.  Glad I got a new trans guy, too bad I needed one. There I feel better now, thanks for listening. My problems seem pretty small anyway.

[bucky katt]

iron or aluminum case? many many years ago i had a 71 camaro with a 396 and an iron case glide in it. it had around 300 1/4 mile passes and almost the same number of 1/8 mile passes on it.

[Don R]

Aftermarket all the way bell, case, roller tail, shorty kit. etc. The guy that built it new had a problem getting a new pump and put in a stock remanufactured. It broke and lowered the pressure then the band and clutches couldn't hold the horsepower.
  The up side is we sucked the last part of the season so maybe I can fix something that was causing inconsistency.
  The new trans guy is one of the best racers around here and seems to be a real good trans tech too. As good as he is we usually win/lose 50/50 when we race him. A lot of racers beat themselves when racing a champion, we seem to not do that when he's in the other lane. Great sportsman too.

[dave500]

the iron case is rare here in aus,,not really sought after ,plenty holdens had em,,

[Don R]

I think the iron case here was in the second half of the fifties. It's amazing that the old powerslide we used to ridicule now is available totally new from the aftermarket with bellhousings to fit almost anything and lives behind a thousand or more horsepower. (except mine that is) When I get it back I don't expect any more problems.

[dave500]

i like the powerglide,in a street car its best behind a big block i think,i dont know if the trimatic is used in the states?with new tech now theyll hold 450-500 real horses,less power robbing than 350 or 400 turbos,the trimatic was somewhat frail early on and a 308 cid would snap them easy,,they are well sorted now.,i have one in my holden 308.

[bucky katt]

i can remember Junior Ibanez, a fox body mustang racer putting 1600+ BHP through his ATI glide'

[mark]

powerglides are popular at the local dirt track. most run without a torque converter. a good driver can get a season out of it before the hi clutch is toast.

tri-matic 180 didn't see much development here. came in Chevettes and Opels and a Fiat or two and thankfully those are all gone now.

the iron case doesn't seem terribly rare or sought after. I think they hung on to around '62 when the 235 six went away.

ironglide made a comeback(sort of) in the late '60s..... replicated in aluminum at 2/3 scale as the ToyoGlide.

[dave500]

ironglide??sounds like a black sabbath song.I  AM  IRONGLIDE  !!!

[Retro Rocket]

ironglide??sounds like a black sabbath song.I  AM  IRONGLIDE  !!!

And we call the trimatic the "traumatic......

Mick

[dave500]

yeah retro,ive busted a couple in the past,the oil pump must be good(great),and machine to squeeze in an extra plate on top clutch,a late servo piston or an aftermarket steel one(thats what mine broke)my last rebuild was 1500,and its great,im never savage on an auto,its ok on my more or less warmed over 308(it actually idles)i had rung around when it blew and the first thing i asked was what are you like with trimatics,,he who erred or ummed got the ill ring you back,,then i found ,here on the coast,a gmh dandenong trained bloke who did a great job and pointed out and explained some details to me,he had stuff on the shelf and all,he even rang me when the tow truck had dropped it off to tell me it only needs a servo,i said just do the whole thing,most shops would say it needs a full build even if it didnt ,hey it had no drive??,mine went on my street which is a steeep hill,it still had reverse so up i went,backwards,he took time and its solid.,i like my new trans guy aswell,cheers

[Don R]

The reman pump was shot causing low pressure wearing it all out. it got a new hi perf pump, 10 clutches and drum, dual ring servo the new super band didn't fit well so we used  the regular hi perf. When I get the data recorder I may monitor trans pressure, just a $250 sensor, it might save another $ 1300 repair. The new trans guy even has a loaner trans in case something happens during the points season. Good? or why does he need one?

[dave500]

hey donr,,if your guy has a spare trans just in case,,he is an excellent trans guy!!buy him a beer for me!