retro54 Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 I have a 1954 Bel Air with the cast iron powerglide that was fully rebuilt 19 years ago (new planetary gears, seals, reverse lever, the works!). I've owned the car 21 years, but recently over filled the cast iron powerglide automatic transmission for the first time. The car was cold, pushed it out of the garage and filled it without having run it and without the car in neutral. Thinking this was my mistake. The fluid came out of the fill-tube. I realized what I had done after dumping in my 1/2 to 3/4 of a quart. I am hoping that a powerglide expert could offer some suggestions or guide me on what to do. I took it for a very brief drive (less than 1 mile) and heard some noise which i think may have been what is described as torque converter cavitation. I dunno. Never heard the sound so came back home right away. Was thinking if draining fluid and then refilling with proper quantity. And then trying to drive. Anyone out there know the ins and outs of this and can offer suggestions? This car is my baby, and I've seldom had problems with it, and I just don't want to make another mistake that may cost me $$. If you have never been around a cast iron PG or do not have first hand knowledge of such, please refrain from responding. (not trying to be rude, but I really am trying to avoid being mislead by an 'expert' who isn't familiar with this early GM automatic transmission. Not looking for guesses.) Thank you. Andy B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 You've diagnosed your problem and what you need to do. Unless the PG is due for fluid and screen service, to avoid the mess of a complete fluid drain use one of those oil change suction guns to draw off the same amount you added thru the dipstick tube. Then drive the vehicle and see if the cavitation has gone away. If it has you're good; if not draw off more until the cavitation stops. Drive the car to operating temperature, then check fluid level the way you should have to begin with and correct as needed. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retro54 Posted January 2, 2021 Author Share Posted January 2, 2021 That sounds reasonable. Thank you for your reply. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 Good luck. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 Would the fluid run out if you pulled the driveline? Might be easier than a suction pump I know, I know not an expert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John348 Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 3 hours ago, JACK M said: Would the fluid run out if you pulled the driveline? Might be easier than a suction pump I know, I know not an expert. Torque tube, not an easy task. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 Does a 54 have an oil cooler possibly in the radiator ? If so might be a place to remove/drain some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 (edited) If there is still doubt, post on http://vccachat.org . The body of early Chevrolet knowledge over there is unparalleled. . Edited January 3, 2021 by Bloo (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John348 Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 (edited) On 1/1/2021 at 8:39 PM, rocketraider said: You've diagnosed your problem and what you need to do. Unless the PG is due for fluid and screen service, Glenn the early cast iron powerglides don't have a pan and an easily accessible screen filter. However there is a drain plug located on the bottom of the tranny. 4 hours ago, padgett said: Does a 54 have an oil cooler possibly in the radiator ? If so might be a place to remove/drain some. Good thought, 1950-1954 has an external cooler, considering where it is located it could be messy. On 1/1/2021 at 7:47 PM, retro54 said: I have a 1954 Bel Air with the cast iron powerglide that was fully rebuilt 19 years ago (new planetary gears, seals, reverse lever, the works!). I've owned the car 21 years, but recently over filled the cast iron powerglide automatic transmission for the first time. The car was cold, pushed it out of the garage and filled it without having run it and without the car in neutral. Thinking this was my mistake. The fluid came out of the fill-tube. I realized what I had done after dumping in my 1/2 to 3/4 of a quart. I am hoping that a powerglide expert could offer some suggestions or guide me on what to do. I took it for a very brief drive (less than 1 mile) and heard some noise which i think may have been what is described as torque converter cavitation. I dunno. Never heard the sound so came back home right away. Was thinking if draining fluid and then refilling with proper quantity. And then trying to drive. Anyone out there know the ins and outs of this and can offer suggestions? This car is my baby, and I've seldom had problems with it, and I just don't want to make another mistake that may cost me $$. If you have never been around a cast iron PG or do not have first hand knowledge of such, please refrain from responding. (not trying to be rude, but I really am trying to avoid being mislead by an 'expert' who isn't familiar with this early GM automatic transmission. Not looking for guesses.) Thank you. Andy B. Andy, where did the fluid go? When these transmissions are overfilled another problem is that it can leak from the rear seal and over fill the differential, besides thinning out the gear lube it can also leak out the axle seals and get on the rear brakes. By the way your 54 looks sweet! Edited January 3, 2021 by John348 (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misterc9 Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 (edited) I had a 51 chevy with Powerglide. You can unbolt the bottom of the dipstick tube from the transmission case and remove it. The screen is inside there and can be removed and cleaned and put back. You may need a new gasket. In 1970 the trans in mine started slipping. I checked the screen and it was completely plugged with crap. I took the screen out and cleaned it,put it back then drained it and put new fluid in. It worked great after that. Edited January 3, 2021 by misterc9 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesR Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 1 hour ago, John348 said: By the way your 54 looks sweet! I agree. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 Curious what your 54's color is? Growing up, neighbors had a 54 BA sedan in same color scheme and I never knew what the color is called. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheezestaak2000 Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 we used an electric fuel pump with a hose down the dipstick tube to drain transmissions. btw weren't all 54 chevys supposed to be turquoise and white? did you not get the memo? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 There sure were a lot made in that color combo! Seen a lot in two-tone green too, and an older cousin bought a powder blue Two-Ten 2-door new and kept it thru the 70s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John348 Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 I just purchased this one a last week, I love the color combo 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 John, your colors are the kind that were used in advertising brochures to highlight the styling cues. Reminds me of a Florida or California color scheme. Too bright for us stodgy north easterners! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 Also learned not to wear Florida jackets in London. In the Winter most GM execs wintered in Florida. Might be a contributing factor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John348 Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 6 hours ago, rocketraider said: Curious what your 54's color is? Growing up, neighbors had a 54 BA sedan in same color scheme and I never knew what the color is called. Retro 54's color is Pueblo Tan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 We had a family friend with one of Retro's color back in the 50s. We called it Pork and Beans color.😁 He traded it on a 65 Chevelle, white. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 1 hour ago, Frank DuVal said: We had a family friend with one of Retro's color back in the 50s. We called it Pork and Beans color.😁 He traded it on a 65 Chevelle, white. I always considered that butterscotch. Ben 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retro54 Posted January 21, 2021 Author Share Posted January 21, 2021 On 1/4/2021 at 2:38 PM, rocketraider said: Curious what your 54's color is? Growing up, neighbors had a 54 BA sedan in same color scheme and I never knew what the color is called. The color combination is "Pueblo Tan and Shoreline Beige" per the color code and 1954 Chevrolet colors. Mostly original paint. The car received HPOF certification at 2019 Hershey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retro54 Posted January 21, 2021 Author Share Posted January 21, 2021 On 1/4/2021 at 8:44 PM, John348 said: I just purchased this one a last week, I love the color combo GREAT COLOR COMBO. The 2-Dr hardtop should be fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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