Powerglide competition transmissions

by: Cobalt327, Crosley
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Overview

From the Powerglide's modest beginnings as a GM passenger car transmission, it has grown to be one of the most-used automatic transmissions for serious competition in history. In fact, the venerable GM Powerglide can be made without using a single OEM part and has probably been used behind more high horsepower engines than any other automatic transmission in existence.

Aftermarket Powerglide cases

Reid Superglide Powerglide case with SB Ford bellhousing mounted

Dedenbear Powerglide case which are now Reid brand

JW Ultracase Powerglide

Aftermarket Powerglide bellhousings

Below are bellhousings used to mount the Reid Powerglide transmission case to various engines.

From left to right: 4.6/5,4 L Ford Mod motor; SB Mopar; BOP; BB Mopar; Ford 385 series; SB Ford; Chevy.

Forward drum/clutches

From here:

Glide 10 clutch forward drum downside

I have tried to use one of these and had a problem. When they made the drum to accept more clutches (it has to be used with a cut piston and a hub that is deep enough to hold all 10), the pocket the piston fits in is very shallow so it has a LOT less movement available to engauge the clutches. This means the clutch pack has to have a lot less clearance or the piston will extend too far and the outer rubber piston ring will pop out and hang up the piston.

The piston only has about 0.125" of movement or the ring will pop out. This can be changed about 0.040" by cutting the pads off the back of the stock piston to allow it to sit flat against the back of the pocket. Another problem that can occur on the stock piston (depending on the hub/piston combo used) is interference with the pads on the clutch side of the piston face hitting the deep hub and not allowing the clutch disks to have full pressure.

Just because it is made for 10 clutches, doesn't mean you have to use all 10. It can be stacked with as many steels as is needed to make up for using less disks. The more fiber disks you use the greater the drag will be. Six disks will hold 1100 hp with 225 lbs. pressure.

Race-prepped Powerglide planetary

Procedure for assembling a race Powerglide planetary unit.

Tools

A special fixture that holds the needle bearings in place and provides the correct number of needle bearings by the length of the slot the bearings sit in.

Fixture holds needle bearings used for each pinion gear, also provides correct count of bearings

Custom aluminum pins for assembling planetary gears

Carrier for planetary

Naked carrier bowl that holds the gears in place, thrust washers shown in place

Close up view of thrust washers in place, there are 12 washers on this design carrier

Assemble bearings in gears

Grease applied to aluminum tool, note hardened washer slid on tool first

Bearings stick to aluminum tool with assembly grease, with washer in place

Slide bearings inside the bore of the gear

Final product gear with needle bearings installed

Long gears in place, bronze thrust washer in bottom of carrier

Sun gear with bearing (on top of gear) installed in center position of the carrier

Gears all installed, aluminum dowel pins in place to hold the gears in alignment

Planetary with pinion pins in place, nearly completed unit

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