I have a 1953 belair with powerglide and out of nowhere the car wont go in reverse!!! She just grinds and clunks when in reverse.. All forward gears work flawlessly.. Is it an easy fix? doest seem to be. Option 1: try to rebuild the powerglide? Option 2: try to figure out the most cost effective way to install a different transmission and rear end? Has a closed drive line... Any help would be much appreciated....
Reverse, in a cast iron Powerglide, is controlled by the reverse band, that is only adjustable INTERNALLY. The low band, for low gear, is adjustable EXTERIORLY, a lot easier. The low/reverse planetary could be damaged to be grinding, and having no reverse at all, the band shot, or the band linkage messed up. Trans has to come out/apart to diagnose/repair/rebuild. You could use a 55 and later 235 six Powerglide and convert to an open rear end, but you still have basically the same trans; you really have't gained anything. Hard parts are getting hard to find, and rebuild shops charge a premium to work on them. There's a French-Canadian guy over on ChevyTalk.Org, in the 49-54 forum, that has a sticky at the top of that forum, on rebuilding the Powerglide. You may be able to do the work yourself. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1949_53/13supplement/13_17.HTM http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1949_53/07trans/7_018.HTM http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1949_53/07trans/7_018.HTM
The reverse band adjustment is accessible after taking servo cover off. This is located on passenger side of transmission. I would try adjusting the reverse band screw to see if the band is broken in some way. If so, removal and repair is necessary.
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