What takes place in a 1959 powerglide transmission

[Jimmy J.]

when you kickdown the throttle and it shifts to low gear? What makes it go into low gear? Thanks, Jimmy

[Bob R.]

Re: What takes place in a 1959 powerglide transmis

There is a linkage running from the carburator to the transmission. When you kick down on the accelerator it mechanically downshifts the transmission.

[Roy B.]

Re: What takes place in a 1959 powerglide transmis

To adjust correctly pull the gas pedal rod back wide open , then adjust the kick down rod to just "fit"connect to the Carb linkage.. It's now set like factory for passing gear (downshift).To make passing come on later or sooner you ether lengthen or shorten the kick down rod .

Note:just letting you know, that at any speed , if you put the trans. in to reverse the trans will go to reverse and lock up the rear wheels ( like putting on the emergency brake) Nice to know if your in a panic!

[Jimmy J.]

Re: What takes place in a 1959 powerglide transmis

Roy, Will it hurt the transmission to put it in reverse in a panic? Thanks, Jimmy

[John H.]

Re: What takes place in a 1959 powerglide transmis

Yes, it will Won't do the U-joints any good either.

[Roy B.]

Re: What takes place in a 1959 powerglide transmis

Dropping it in reverse in an early Chevy PG cast iron is easy because reverse is down on the shifter , where later GM reversed it to up. My kids a couple of times hit the shifter in our 55 and 56 Chevy years ago so I know it works.
Stopping the drive shaft with the trans at speed isn't advised , but is quicker then pulling on the emergence brake when your heading at a tree if your brakes go out.
My wife once did it in our 56 when it's brakes went out going down a hill, she remembered what I told her to do if it ever happened , " thank God" ( and never hurt the trans)
You can only do this to a Cast Iron PG , later trans won't do it!

[Verle R.]

Re: What takes place in a 1959 powerglide transmis

At age 16 I was "racing" my dad's new 57 powerpack Chevy hardtop. I accidentally pulled it into reverse at 50 or 60 MPH. It got me home but a few days later was in the Chevrolet dealer getting a new powerglide installed.

I didn't often get to drive it alone after that.

Verle

[Roy B.]

Re: "verle" did it stop you *NM*

[Verle R.]

Re: "verle" did it stop you

Roy,

As you indicated earlier, it locked up the rear wheels, causing the car to slow dramaticly.

I was just pointing out that damage to the transmission is possible. That may be insignificant if you succeed in avoiding a collision.

Verle