C1 54 Powerglide

[Joe R.]

I just sent my 54 Powerglide in for rebuild to a reputable rebuilder and I'm told that it needs a complete rebuild, as in drums and all. He told me that the tranny got water in it at some point and there's rust everywhere.

Question: What are my options? Is it best to find another PG with good internals and cannibilize it in favor of my old case (w/correct date codes) or should I look for another? He's talking $1,800 plus for rebuild.

Joe #24865

[Joseph T.]

Re: C1 54 Powerglide

Joe

I paid about that same price to have a 1959 Buick Dynaflow transmission rebuilt..so even though the price is a bit stiff it may be line.

If the tranny is original to your car..there is some reason to pay the price to have it rebuilt.

However..I would suggest getting a second opinion and rebuild quote from another shop with equal skills and turn around time.

If you are not in a big hurry..you might call a few C1 suppliers like Grosmuellers and find out if they have a 54 Corvette transmission that is ready to be installed or one that can be rebuilt at a much smaller expense.

Others on this board will be able to tell you the differences in the Corvette automatic and the full size chevy automatic transmissions..Roy Braatz will most likely know.

Joe T

[Joe R.]

Re: C1 54 Powerglide

Thanks Joe. Good advice, especially on the second opinion. Just hate to lug that dawg around, if you know what I mean!

Roy, are you out there? Would like your info on the differences between the passenger and Corvette PG's.

Joe

[Robert S.]

Re: C1 54 Powerglide

Joe, The short answer to covert a pass PG to Corvette is you need to change the tail housing and the output extension shaft. You could use the ones from you rusty PG and you'd be set to go! There was an article in Restorer Winter 82 about doing this. Bob

[steve westphal]

Re: C1 54 Powerglide

Joe....$1800.00 sounds awfully pricey to me. I have a cast iron P/G in my '56 and a complete redo cost about a thousand bucks. I do live here in Nebraska and it does take a while for these cornhuskers to catch up with the rest of the world!!! I would surely retain the original tranny though. Numbers...Numbers...Numbers!

[Joe R.]

Re: C1 54 Powerglide

Thanks Steve, Bob, and Joe. I like the idea of gutting a good passenger PG and rebuilding mine.

BTW, it's the last mechanical part that I need to put together my chassis. The body work starts next week.

Joe

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 54 Powerglide

BOB! Is correct find a car PG and do just that. I just got home from the Hot August Nights in Reno in our 55 Corvette , it was great and again saw this 54 , it's just fantastic and done perfect , you would think GM remade it . And yes the tail gate works just like the real one did.

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 54 Powerglide *NM*

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 54 Powerglide

Another one