underpan 62 powerglide, Kevin

[ray anthony]

Kevin, it is my understanding that the underpan P/N 3789959 was used extensively thru the sixties.The problem with the one I have is an interference fit with the starter. It appears that the underpan should have a concave area so that the nose of the starter will clear the underpan. Right now all I can do is mount the starter and not the pan because there is no clearance for the nose of the starter. My pan is off a 67 powerglide big block, I beleive. My 62 is a small block 250 HP. Any help you can give will be greatly appreaciated

[Dale S.]

Re: underpan 62 powerglide, Kevin

Ray, I have the same problem with my 1962 V8 chev. P.U. I lost the cover years ago in the mountains cutting firewood. I have never found the exact right cover. I have found lots of cover's but when I go to install it, it hits the starter.(It is a 3 SP/OD) Lots of luck, if you find 2 buy it. Dale

[Joe L.]

Re: underpan 62 powerglide, Kevin

Ray-----

It's really hard to figure. According to GM, the only underpan used for 1962 Corvettes and passenger cars with 327 was the GM #3789959. There was no predecessor part number and the only supercessive part number did not come along until 1977 for SERVICE only. The 3789959 underpan was used at least through 1967 on Corvettes and passenger cars with Powerglide. I cannot understand why it won't fit properly, but I certainly don't doubt what you say.

I don't currently have a copy of the 1962 AIM. What does it say in there regarding the underpan part number for Powerglide applications?

[Bob R.]

Re: underpan 62 powerglide, Kevin

The 62 and 63 with power glide had a small fly wheel 153 tooth. If you have the wrong fly wheel 164 tooth and possibly the wrong starter you will have the problem you are describing. I know I have that problem on my 63. I had the engine rebuilt and they installed the larger fly wheel. I didn't notice until after the engine was in the car. I don't want to pull the engine to make the change. The big block had a larger fly wheel and the pan should be be slightly different around the starter for that reason. That big block pan might fit the 62 if the flywheel and starter are wrong. I have been looking for a big block pan to try out on my car.