Powerglide Problems

[SS317]

I posted this in the engine and drive train forum as well.

I just got my 66 C20 with a 350 in it and a powerglide tranny. I noticed the linkage to the tranny, where it hooks up to the throttle linkage, is not hooked up. Is there any chance this is keeping the tranny from getting going? I really want a 700R4 but need a little while to get the cash lined up. I want to try and get the powerglide running, if possible.
Any ideas?

[Clyde65]

locar sells a shift "arm" that works well with our trucks, around $70 I think. It will also work well with a 700 when you can do it.

[SS317]

THanks. Do you know powerglides enough to know if this could possibly be why it's not working?

[padresag]

why is it not hooked up in the first place?...What does the trans fluid look and smell like(red or brown colour, smell burnt)? has this thing ever been run as an assembly?
ron

[SS317]

It was not hooked up, I just got the truck a couple days ago. The tranny fluid is red, doesn't look or smell burnt. The truck has been sitting for over a year and a half, it was an impound that I bought from the guy. Engine runs great, it just doesn't move

[padresag]

do you get any pressure at all when you go from neutral - forward or reverse. . hook up the linkage. dr/shaft in?. check to see whether or not the convertor is bolted up; as stupid as it sounds, either the pump is gone or the convertor hasn't filled up or something is missing
ron

[Clyde65]

is it still NOT hooked up? or it is hooked up now but wont move when put in gear?

[SS317]

I hooked it up a few minutes ago to experiment and no joy. I swear I'm getting a little, tiny shift forward when I put it in D and nothing when I put it in R now. I could be wrong but I think I feel a little bit.

[Clyde65]

sounds like you found the reason the PO sold it. No clunking or anything? no noise at all?

I would have someone move the shifter while I was looking down below and also at the column also. see if anything is moving.

[SS317]

I'm going to throw a 7004R in it, I'm waiting on one more quote from a guy. I got it for a good price and knew what I was getting into. I'll probably be paying more for the new tranny than I did for the truck Cash is tight but I think, to get it rolling where I can use it for now, the new tranny is the way to go.

[Clyde65]

I would have to agree, good luck bud!

[SS317]

I FIXED IT !!! I FIXED IT!!!

Actually, on a hunch I rechecked the tranny fluid. I checked it when I first got the truck but it it had been on an angle on the truck and it must have stuck on the dipstick.

I checked it again, didn't see any fluid on the dipstick and thought, what the heck, I don't have anything to lose....

Just got done driving it to the local gas station, hit the car wash, couldn't find any puddle of fluid anywhere but I'm sure I have a leak or otherwise it wouldn't have leaked out.

MAN I"M STOKED!!!

Now I just need to fix the gas gauge, temp gauge, get a heater core, get new rubber for the doors and windows........ and on and on and on..

[padresag]

what more than likely happened that the trans was put in. they put fluid to the full line and one should then always start it up with the rears wheels free and in dr and this pumps the oil into the converter and then add more fluid to top it up. they more than likely were just installing it which explains perhaps for the linkage not being hooked up. I would just double check all the fastenings with trans to make sure that they were all tightened up.
same as installing a new p/s box, you should lift the frt wheels off the ground when you first add fluid and turn the str wheel to help bleed that system
ron
as I said earlier the converter may not have been filled

[SS317]

Thanks for all the help guys. If you hadn't of brought up the converter thing I probably would have dumped a lot of money into a new tranny. (still on the list, just moved lower)