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Classic/Antique Car Repair/1950 Chevy Powerglide

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Expert: - 1/21/2008


Question
I recently purchased a 1950 Chevy Sports Coupe with Powerglide in Montana.  When driving it home, usually at 55-60 mph I noted I only got 10 mpg.  Is this normal for the Powerglide?  If not is there anything I can do to increase the mpg?
Also, the transmission leaks, not a lot.  All bolts are tight.  
Thanks for any help you can give

Answer
You will need to check all of the regular tune up items including the vacuum advance unit on the distributor. With that said in 1950 we used to have a saying, "slip and slide with power glide." It was a two speed unit with a real power eating fuel economy eating fluid coupling. The interstate system was still a gleam in Eisenhower eye and the average highway speed was 45 miles per hour. Add to that the fact that the 6 cylinder engine was a long stroke design that made torque at low speed and was not terribly efficient at high speed. Fuel economy will probably not ever be this cars strong suit. As far as the transmission goes you might replace the pan gasket but probably the seals could use replacing after close to 60 years of service.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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