Powerflite problems I think

[olskulow]

I have a 54 Plymouth with a powerflite tranny. I haven't been driving a whole lot since I've been working on the appearance. Today I turned the car on and pulled it out of the garage ok. But, when I put it in drive it would not idle forward. I pressed the gas and it made a clunk sound and kind of hopped forward little by little. I put it in reverse again and it went revers ok, but when I tried going forward it badly moved and just stops and goes forward little by litte. Any advice would help.

[woodie49]

I am not familiar with the powerflite tranny, but it sounds like you could be really low on trans fluid.

[olskulow]

That's what I thought at first but I added fluid and I stll have the same problem

[John Reddie]

How long has it been since the fluid and filter was changed? I say this because the automatic transmission functions by fluid flowing through the valve body. If the filter becomes plugged up, it will prevent proper flowing of the fluid. Good luck to you.

John R

[BloodyKnuckles]

From my experience the forward clutchs and plates probably need replaced. Check with a company called Fatsco. They may have the proper rebuild kit. If you have a close friend who you trust to help you rebuild it I would think that it should be rather simple.

Good luck.

BloodyKnuckles

[olskulow]

I havent changed the fluid in years. But i dont really drive the car at all. I guess I'm going to have to rebuild.

[greg g]

one of the things that is said about early automatics is that they do not well tolerate long periods of inactivity. Much of there workings, seals and passages depend on regular fluid flow, to keep things pliable, easy to move, and clear of crud.

This depends on regular driving, and getting up to proper operating temps. So I would think your problem is probably related to something inside that is not moving freely and or fully, rather than something being mechanically broken from something failing while you were driving.

But if and when you get it repaired, you should put some regular miles on it.

A flush and fluid change might get you back in the game

[olskulow]

The strange thing is I took it out today and ran it up and down the block and it changed gears fine. But as soon as I let it on idle and put it in drive it didn't move forward until I pressed the gas pedal.

[captden29]

a fluid change is your first step. next, check the throttle linkage and the shift linkage for wear or damage such as being bent or seversly loose.you need to drop the tranny pan and inspect for dirt, metal chips, band material, broken band ends,and burned or scored band contacting surfaces. i have 2 54 chryslers with the powerflite and one of them sat for over 20 years but works great once i changed the fluid and drive it. i do not have kickdown in either one but i will live with that. these are considered simple transmissions as automatics go, but i would send it out for a rebuild if the inside looks bad after dropping the pan. special tools are needed and certainly the kind of knowledge that most of us do not have simply because we do not do this type of work on a regular basis. i have heard that fatsco in NJ is good. i have the preliminary shop manual for this tranny if you need any info. capt den

[RobertKB]

The strange thing is I took it out today and ran it up and down the block and it changed gears fine. But as soon as I let it on idle and put it in drive it didn't move forward until I pressed the gas pedal.

Is the idle speed set too low? Also, as mentioned, a change of fluids and a thorough inspection would be a good idea.

[olskulow]

I brought the 11 quarts of oil to do the change today. So I started up the car and ran it through neighborhood to try to hear for any strange noises. I figured out the problem may not be the trans but the differential after the right wheel kind of locked and loosened when I idled forward. After moving back and forth the car started to seem ok. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[greg g]

Sounds like you have a brake problem instead of a transmission problem. Pull the brake drum of the whell that is locking up, I believe you will find a leaking wheel cylinder and a fluid fouled brake shoe.

Look at the backing plate down low on the inside of the suspect wheel and see if it looks damp. Brake systems do not like sitting around either, especially where its humid.

Usually backing up will release the sticking brake shoe untill you apply the brake again.

[Dodgeb4ya]

If your transmission fluid is really old and dirty-brown not red and smells burnt, be cautious about changing it as sometimes the transmissions can fail after a complete fluid change! Have heard (read) about it and had it happen once myself. Just some info. I change my automatic trans fluid every 30,000 miles. It stays red and the transmissions last a long time too..

Sounds like you have a brear end brake issue maybe.

[olskulow]

I'll check the brake this weekend

[olskulow]

Ok it's been a while. I removed the wheels checked the brakes and did not find anything wrong. So I bled the brakes put the wheels back on and still had the same problem. Finally I started to remove the drive shaft to take the tranny out and whoa, big surprise. My rear passenger tire was right up against the exhaust. Wow problem solved.