I was told that using type F in my powerglide should improve the way it shifts. Mine has probably 130,000 miles on it and needs rebuilt. It slips badly when shifting into seconds, seems like someone puts it in neutral for a second or two, then goes into 2nd... The tranny doesn't slip once it is in gear, just while shifting. Feels like it completely disengages and you can feel it once it does go into gear. This is a consistant problem with it that has been going on the entire time I've had the car (a few years). Would putting Type F in it do any good? I don't plan on swapping this out for a while and I'll just drive the darn thing until it finally quits.
Type F has a higher friction coefficient than the Type A that Powerglides originally came with, because the old Ford automatics had clutch packs that consisted of alternating plates made of steel and brass, instead of steel and asbestos. It's an old racer's trick for snappier shifts. If your 'glide is slipping that badly, I doubt that switching types of fluid will do anything for it.
You might try a shift kit with a fluid and filter change. I had a El Camino that had the same problem I put a $20 shift kit in it and it worked for years.Never a hard shift but very livable. Robert
How complex is putting a shift kit in? Can I do it by just dropping the pan or do I have to pull the tranny?
Well could you inform me on what it takes to install the shift kit? What does the shift kit consist of? Never installed one, never seen one installed in person so I have no idea.
If the '57 pictured in your post is the car in question, forget about it. Cast iron Powerglides don't have a pan on the bottom.
Forgot all about the cast iron powerglide. With the newer model it's pretty messy but pretty simple. The instructions that come with it will explain the whole thing much better than I can. Have you thought about replacing it with something else?
The powerglide is aluminum, was supposedly put in about 1970 when the 327 63' engine was put in I've had it out twice recently when changing motors, but hadn't been for a good 20 years. I'm glad its aluminum! I was told it was out of an Impala. It has the pan on the bottom, as well as a vaccum modulator. It doesn't use the stock mounts, instead has a rear crossmember, probably added with the motor and stuff.
I ran Type F in a short tailed Turbo 400 in my Vette, with a manual valve body, and it worked fine and was quick shift for sure. Mark
A powerglide never had the capability for 'hard" shifts into high. The band is applied,and starts out in 'low",the band releases,and shifts into direct, or 'high". Since it is only a two speed, most of the time, the transmission of power is'on the converter",then goes 1 to 1 with the engine. You won't get a 'bang shift' like a T.H.350 or 400. Sparky
I put in a street/strip kit and filled my 350 turbo with type F and my buddies thought I'd lost my mind! lol At full throttle she'll about bounce your head off the back window of the cab if you're not ready for the 1-2 shift.
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