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Classic/Antique Car Repair/Powerglide Transmission

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Expert: - 4/8/2009


Question
I am changing the transmission fluid in my "58" Impala with the cast iron powerglide. I drained the transmission and flushed the cooler lines. My question is can the torque converter be drained? It appears there is no way to do this and also I understand there is a screen inside the case. You would have to take the transmission apart to clean it.

Answer
Back in the day there were those mechanics that drilled a hole in the converter case, and threaded the hole for a small pipe plug. The trick is to coat the drill bit with grease to hold the drilling chips to prevent them from entering the converter. Is it a recommended procedure? Not as far as I am concerned if the fluid has been changed in the transmission and the lines flushed.
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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