Aluminum Powerglide Pan

[Rick C.]

Can anyone tell me if the pan, which is steel, is natural or painted and if painted, what color? Specifically, for a '62. Also, I'm pretty sure I remember reading that the original pans did not have a drain plug. Can anyone confirm that?

Thanks!
Rick

[Joe L.]

Re: Aluminum Powerglide Pan

Can anyone tell me if the pan, which is steel, is natural or painted and if painted, what color? Specifically, for a '62. Also, I'm pretty sure I remember reading that the original pans did not have a drain plug. Can anyone confirm that?

Thanks!
Rick

Rick------

The pan did not have a drain plug. In fact, I don't know of any Corvette automatic oil pan of the 60's through the 80's that did have a drain plug.

As far as painted or not goes, I do not think the pans were painted but I'm not 100% sure.

[Mike E.]

Re: Aluminum Powerglide Pan

My experience is that they were natural steel. Leaky pan gaskets generally helped minimize rust. 😀

[Richard G.]

Re: Aluminum Powerglide Pan

Unsure if the Corvette P/G had the same pan as the Chevelles of 1964.
I am 100% Confident the 1964 Chevelle, Powerglide, had a drain plug in the factory pan .
And it is unlikely the Corvette had a special pan. However I am a couple years off which doesn't apply to this thread.
I have included a picture of the underside of a 1962 Corvette automatic and it has the pan drain.
No documentation if its original or not.
The pans were natural steel like Mike indicated.

powerglide pan.jpg
1962 Corvette auto.jpg
I believe leaving the plug out was a GM cost saving measure.

I also know the pan plugs came and went on the 700R4/4L60 transmission.
Like it depended on the what way the wind was blowing.
Rick

[Mark E.]

Re: Aluminum Powerglide Pan

My theory is the drain plug was eliminated for two reasons: save cost and discourage the DIYer.

Aren't aluminum PGs sans paint anywhere- case or pan?

[Rick C.]

Re: Aluminum Powerglide Pan

Thank you!

Rick

[Richard M.]

Re: Aluminum Powerglide Pan

Close to a '62, our Feb built '63 original 300hp PG pan was natural steel and had a date stamped on the bottom flat area.

No drain plug there or even needed. (It drained by itself after sitting in the garage. PG Puke Syndrome!) lol.

[Mark E.]

Re: Aluminum Powerglide Pan

Wasn't the front license plate re-positioned to the side on some mid-years when equipped with a big-block and automatic? That's a clean look that should have been standard.

[Joe L.]

Re: Aluminum Powerglide Pan

Wasn't the front license plate re-positioned to the side on some mid-years when equipped with a big-block and automatic? That's a clean look that should have been standard.

Mark-------


Yes, 66 and 67 big blocks with C-60 and Powerglide had the "offset" front license bracket. However, at least in my opinion, it did not result in a cleaner appearance. I have always considered that it appeared unbalanced, sort of like the way that single exhaust looks on a car.

[Paul D.]

Re: Aluminum Powerglide Pan

I was told once that the plug was eliminated to discourage changing the fluid without changing the filter. Without a drain, trans service is such a messy job for the average DIYer that I'm sure many just skip it.

[Joe L.]

Re: Aluminum Powerglide Pan

I was told once that the plug was eliminated to discourage changing the fluid without changing the filter. Without a drain, trans service is such a messy job for the average DIYer that I'm sure many just skip it.

Paul------


I have always believed that is exactly the reason the drain plug was eliminated.

[Don H.]

Re: Aluminum Powerglide Pan

My 1965 powerglide has the drain plug. Don H.

[Joe L.]

Re: Aluminum Powerglide Pan

Yes, I did some more checking and 1964-67 Powerglides had a drain plug.

[Leonard M.]

Re: Aluminum Powerglide Pan

Here's my original 1967 Camaro 327ci 210HP with the original stamped powerglide pan with drain. Did 67 Corvettes have a stamp on the pan? The stamp on this car is T7C 27N = T Toledo Powerglide, 7 1967, C 27 March 27th, N nightshift.
DSCN6764.jpgDSCN6795 (2).jpg

[Francis F.]

Re: Aluminum Powerglide Pan

My 66 PG COUPE 23,xxx Ser # has a drain plug and is natural / no paint finish.Francis