C1 Powerglide Drain plug

[Rick H.]

Rebuilding powerglide from a basket case 55 and notice that there is no drain plug on the bottom. I am told that these were discarded by the dealers, because it only held in fluid if there was a leak and you wanted to know about the leak right away rather than when the compartment filled with fluid.

Is the above true or is it an urban legend? Judging manual is silent on this. Actually, it says very little about the transmission at all. What is right? To have the drain plug or not? If I must have it, anyone know where I might find one?

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 Powerglide Drain plug

There is no drain plug in a cast iron PG

[Rick H.]

Re: C1 Powerglide Drain plug

On the very bottom of the unit is a threaded hole. Do I take it form your response to mean that this hole should not have a plug?

[Mike E.]

Re: C1 Powerglide Drain plug

Rick--
Thanks for the question--I just looked at a 55 with no plug in that hole, and figured that implied certain things. I hope we get a definitive answer.

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 Powerglide Drain plug

Yes the plug is never in most of the PG"s %90, but now and then you will see it, I don't know why, but it's not needed. The hole was for inspection and for a tool to rotate the Converter so you could get at the flywheel bolts through the spacer hole.

[Don Izzo]

Re: C1 Powerglide Drain plug

Roy,I know you are the powerglide guy, I wish I had found this site 4 years ago. I paid a guy in an old car junk yard $25.00 plus UPS to send me a plug from a junked 1955 chevy Bel air cause my 60 Vette cast iron powerglide seem to be missing this item along with the dip stick!! If the plug is not used won't road grime etc. enter the trans through this hole and contaminate/damage moving parts? I had my trans rebuilt and the local shop sent it back to me with the plug installed.
Don

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 Powerglide Drain plug

It don't really matter unless you drive on the beach every day , I've never heard of any thing getting in there and hurt any thing.It's up to you weather you put it in or not.