56 powerglide

[Keith B.]

was doing practice judging today on our chapter members 56 car. I got chassis duty and for the record I don't know very much about solid axle cars. So, I was reading the judging manual very carefully and I must say it wasn't all that helpful. but my question is more so on the trans. it was a cast iron version of a style I never really saw before. it was painted black. I didn't see a pan like on all other autos I saw before. there were about three drain plugs. the one confusing to me was about where the torque converter is there was a 7/8 hex brass plug under it. again, the judging manual did not go into detail.

does anyone have any pictures of them. I am sure I will see this car again in three weeks at our chapter judging event

[Gary C.]

Keith,

Rev Mike wrote an article for the Restorer on 1956-7 Powerglides in 1986 - see attached searchable PDF.

Gary
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[Keith B.]

Great article but nothing in there to answer my questions.

[Gary C.]

Youtube rebuild of '57 powerglide - only difference between car and Corvette is the tale housing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AO8EWNL09s

Gary
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[Chris S.]

Keith
The powerglide is cast iron for the 53 54 55... and 56 and 57 as well.
There is no pan
Yes there is a large hole below the torque convertor and yes it has a plug in it but normally I see the plus is recessed not an external hex.
Chris

[Keith B.]

Thanks Chris the plug did look modern but wasn't sure as there was nothing in the manual one way or the other. It was a oddity for sure