A greenhands 1954 Pathfinder thread

Rolilk · Guru

RE: A greenhands 1954 Pathfinder thread

Rolilk · Guru

Have you set your points up yet? For 54 the breaker points should be set to .016 gap.

Roughshod Rod · Veteran Member

Thanks. I will check the points, but the engine was purring before I did the swap. If I need to swap plugs - what should I look for (they should be OK, but my shop does not have internet - so cover my butt now).
Gotta say, you guys, vintagerods.ca, and my neighbour Fred are absolutely priceless. Thanks for all the know-how. If you are in Calgary, let me know, beer is on me.

I finally found my camera charger (stupid one-off obscure electronics) - pics and an update to come soon.

sixtywagon · Uber Guru

Is yours the car that was sittin in a lot off 3rd st se?

Rolilk · Guru

Roughshod Rod wrote:

Thanks. I will check the points, but the engine was purring before I did the swap. If I need to swap plugs - what should I look for (they should be OK, but my shop does not have internet - so cover my butt now).

Then you should be ok. Just after some tanks of gas have gone though the car you might want to play with the gaselector. All it is is fine setting of your timming to the grade of fuel your using. Only do this if the car pings on accel, otherwise your ok. Oh yah put some motor oil in the oil caps in both ends of you generator, you will be glad you did that. Grease everything and make sure the brakes work well, and the fluid is up, you will find its alot of car to stop! Then enjoy the ride. biggrin

As for the plugs if they are in the browninsh range, even if they are a bit on the dark side still ok, and not too dirty, light clean and gap reinstall and away you go!

Roughshod Rod · Veteran Member

Yeah. Near Tunerworks? It was near 5th SE, but it off of 1A SW now.

Roughshod Rod · Veteran Member

Wow. Its been a long time. I've posted on vintagerods.ca; but not much has happened with the car.

I cannibalized the drive band from the second powerglide. It's bellhousing was slightly different, and it would not come off.
The car ran and shifted through the gears. So, I put it on the road and drove it to the shop for brakes and an inspection. It died 2 miles into the trip. The transmission just stopped pulling - engine's fine, no noise, or smoke, or warning. Just all of a sudden no pull from the powerglide.

So, being in school and out of ideas and no more shop/garage access - the car went to a field until now.

She's in a transmission shop (Eagle Automatic); the only one I could find who would even LOOK at it.
If Rick can fix the transmission, she'll get her brakes done (wheel and master cyl. rebuild, lines, and rear pads), the patched gas tank put in, seatbelts put in...and then she'll finally drive.

I want to say thanks to this site and Fitz, Rollick, and the rest of the 54gens for the postings that Ive been reading and helping plan my attack.

-- Edited by Roughshod Rod on Wednesday 18th of January 2012 12:36:24 AM

hwscowboy · Guru

Hey Rod

I may be able to help you out.I have the same car 54 pontiac deluxe,also on vintage rods.I have been away for a bit but should be around home more now.I have the breakdowns and pics for the powerglide if it is the old cast iron one like in my 54.I had to tear mine apart and found the low/reverse lever had snapped in two,or at least one arm on one side.Thats what parked my car years ago.I am by no means an expert but they are not that hard to work on,much like the rest of the car.I bought a rebuild kit off of ebay if i remember correctly for about 150.00.It came with all the seals,etc and i had the broken arm re welded.I'd be more than willing to come give you a hand once it warms up a bit.Actually i can't say i fixed mine for sure since i haven't run it yet due to the starter issues but all the pieces seem to be in the right place and no spares left over.I rebuilt mine in my basement since i have the same issue with the lack of heat in the garage.LMK would be nice to see both cars back on the road this spring.

hwscowboy · Guru

I have been in touch with Cody and hope to meet up with him soon.Thought i would share some info with everyone else too.I found a powerglide rebuild manual on a site called www.oldcarmanualproject.com,looked under manuals,transmission,powerglide.You can print it out for free,came in handy for mine.Hey if i can follow it,enough said.I ordered my rebuild kit from ClassicTransmissionSolutions.com,they sell on ebay under creekside2.I bought a rebuild kit(seals,gaskets,o rings,bushings,steels,clutch pack fibers,etc)and also a seperate vacuum diaphragm.Cost me about 260.00 u.s to my door in alberta.They do have the bands availible as well but mine looked good still.I found the low/reverse band lever had broken an arm off one side.Got it welded back up as it is one part that isn't availible easily.Now if i can ever get it running i'll tell you if i was sucessful,but it was fairly easy to work on.Hope this helps out.

dualquadpete · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I've also used that site[ www.oldcarmanualproject.com ] they class it as Chevy site, but I copyed the instr. for W/Shield removal for 52 Chevy. & was the same for 52 Pontiac. Lots of info there!!!!

Fitz · Guru

This thread will help with your PG rebuilt. I think it should be on the «sticky» place before loosing it.

Fitz.

http://canadianponcho.activeboard.com/t40844288/canadian-cast-iron-powerglide-rebuilt/

Roughshod Rod · Veteran Member

I'M BAAAAACK!!!
UPDATE:
Transmission repaired at Eagle Automatic, Calgary AB - now closed :(
Brakes checked and fixed at Double J Auto, Calgary AB - Rod B. is a champ!
Got married, bought a house, and a six volt battery every year. Graduated. Having a baby in September!
Finally got some time to work on the carb and the starter is shot. Ugh.
So, I am working on the starter. Then rebuilding the carb.
I need a rear, left side window.

My goal is making it to the High River show among others. Even my wife is cheering me on (more than normal).

I will keep you posted.

FYI: starter is a chevy starter (actuator is opposite side of Pontiacs), because I have am OEM Powerglide tranmission.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Roughshod Rod wrote:

I'M BAAAAACK!!!

UPDATE:

Got married, bought a house, and a six volt battery every year. Graduated. Having a baby in September!

Hardly anything notable at all in that list!!!

Welcome back.

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

Roughshod Rod wrote:
I'M BAAAAACK!!!
UPDATE:

Got married, bought a house, and a six volt battery every year. Graduated. Having a baby in September!

What did you name all your batteries? wink Welcome back.

hwscowboy · Guru

hey rod
sorry haven't been on the forum for awhile but I have a 54 laurentian with the powerglide and I rebuilt it a few years ago.Honestly its not that difficult to do yourself.I bought a rebuild kit from a company called classic transmission solutions.I will check and see if I can dig up the powerglide manual I used to do mine.I had a broken low/reverse band lever arm in mine.I am just east of you in Strathmore,lmk if I can help in any way.