Powerglide Transmission - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Lippyp · 09-01-2002, 12:08 PM

I recently met a guy who had just bought a 68 short step not too far away from me in the UK. It has been fairly heavily modified in it's lifetime and he intends to put it back to a reasonable original state. My question is this...the truck has a 350 small block with awhat appearsfrom the oil pan to be a powerglide transmission. Is this likely to be original or a later addition, I am betting on an addition as it has a bodged on floor mounted shifter. Is the powerglide a good reliable transmission or is it trouble in waiting? Any advice welcomed.

We're now looking froward to driving in a very small convoy of two to some shows and cruises, should grab some attention round here, one 60's Chevy truck is unusual two together like the proverbial rocking horse dung!

slam33 · 09-01-2002, 12:15 PM

Powerglides are a two speed trans, there very popular with drag racers as they can be build to handle lots of torque and HP. My kid has one in his 68 3/4T. You will ussually see the word Powerglide on the side of the trans.

**smitty62** · 09-01-2002, 12:21 PM

Powerglide was available as an option in '68. I have one.

Lippyp · 09-02-2002, 03:45 AM

If this tranny had come with the truck originally would it have been hooked up to a column change? If so would the shift indicator just have had P-R-N-D-1-2 on it? Is the gas mileage gonna be poor with it being a two speed, would it be better to find a decent th350/400? It's not a daily driver, just a fun truck.

**Palf70Step** · 09-02-2002, 08:29 AM

From my older days, I didn't notice any difference between a powerglide or a turbo350 as far as gas mileage goes. if therere was some it was negligble. I don't know about the trucks, but on my older impalas the shifter read P R N D L with a powerglide.

Longhorn Man · 09-02-2002, 09:20 AM

that's right...P RNDL

09-01-2002, 12:08 PM	#1
Lippyp English Chevy Owner Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shropshire, UK/ Lot, France Posts: 1,848	Powerglide Transmission I recently met a guy who had just bought a 68 short step not too far away from me in the UK. It has been fairly heavily modified in it's lifetime and he intends to put it back to a reasonable original state. My question is this...the truck has a 350 small block with awhat appearsfrom the oil pan to be a powerglide transmission. Is this likely to be original or a later addition, I am betting on an addition as it has a bodged on floor mounted shifter. Is the powerglide a good reliable transmission or is it trouble in waiting? Any advice welcomed. We're now looking froward to driving in a very small convoy of two to some shows and cruises, should grab some attention round here, one 60's Chevy truck is unusual two together like the proverbial rocking horse dung! __________________ Phil '67 C10 long fleet. 350/TH350, 4 bbl Carter, K&N, Dual exhaust, loads of stuff coming soon 2001 S10 Blazer Daily Driver, bone stock 4 door 4x4 with manual transmission

09-01-2002, 12:15 PM	#2
slam33 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Long Beach, Ca Posts: 1,432	Powerglides are a two speed trans, there very popular with drag racers as they can be build to handle lots of torque and HP. My kid has one in his 68 3/4T. You will ussually see the word Powerglide on the side of the trans. __________________ 71 LWB 350/350still working on it but it's going tp be sweet. www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html " TARGET=_blank>http://www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html?1004806705410 </A>

09-01-2002, 12:21 PM	#3
smitty62 Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,234	Powerglide was available as an option in '68. I have one. __________________ Stepsides look like real trucks! Smitty

09-02-2002, 03:45 AM	#4
Lippyp English Chevy Owner Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shropshire, UK/ Lot, France Posts: 1,848	If this tranny had come with the truck originally would it have been hooked up to a column change? If so would the shift indicator just have had P-R-N-D-1-2 on it? Is the gas mileage gonna be poor with it being a two speed, would it be better to find a decent th350/400? It's not a daily driver, just a fun truck. __________________ Phil '67 C10 long fleet. 350/TH350, 4 bbl Carter, K&N, Dual exhaust, loads of stuff coming soon 2001 S10 Blazer Daily Driver, bone stock 4 door 4x4 with manual transmission Last edited by Lippyp; 09-02-2002 at 03:50 AM.

09-02-2002, 08:29 AM	#5
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,083	From my older days, I didn't notice any difference between a powerglide or a turbo350 as far as gas mileage goes. if therere was some it was negligble. I don't know about the trucks, but on my older impalas the shifter read P R N D L with a powerglide. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

09-02-2002, 09:20 AM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	that's right...P RNDL

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