I have two 62 Parisiennes, one ragtop for fixing, one hardtop for parts. Ragtop has sat for 14 years. Hardtop has sat for decades. I haven't verified yet, but they look original, and I assume they both have cast iron powerglides like most of my Pontiac / Chev cars of that era.
Question is: How do these trannies sit? Am I likely to just need front and rear seals if one of these wasn't worn out, or are there internal seals that don't age well, and will likely erupt?
.....that is a hard one to answer just like anything that has sat unused a long time. My luck with them has always been good. Easy to replace the front and rear seals so that is strongly advised . If you don't know the history of the car then it might of been parked cause of a bad tranny too ???? , so taking a chance installing it as is. But these cast iron pg's were a pretty tough tranny so odds are very good I'd say just change the seals and try it .
Certainly the torque converter has drained from sitting. It will fill up again after starting & running for 15 seconds. Only after running will the correct fluid level show on the dipstick. Topping up is advisable but believe me, DO NOT OVERFILL!
Powerglides are easy to service but those old cast iron buggers are a lot heavier than the aluminum versions. As was stated by Johnny, replace the front & rear seals. It is also good to drop the pan, inspect the valve body for crud, replace the gasket & refill. Low band adjustment is easy and recommended. Modulators could also allow tranny fluid to get sucked into the intake manifold if the membrane is ruptured. You will think you are burning oil.
1962 was the last year for the cast iron 'glide; they were used behind the six & 283. The new 1962 327 ushered in the aluminum Powerglide, followed by all other Powerglides going aluminum for 1963.
__________________
67 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe, Oshawa-built 250 PG never disturbed.
In garage, 296 cid inline six & TH350...
Cam, Toronto.
I don't judge a man by how far he's fallen, but by how far back he bounces - Patton
Thanks for the advice. I'm going to try my luck at salvaging a drivetrain out of these. I do remember how heavy these trannies were. I put one in my 60 Impala some years back, and have moved a number of them around from cars I've wrecked, but haven't actually used one for any length of time in a driver.
Usually I end up putting in newer stuff (305-350), whatever I've got hanging around, but this time I've got two cars the same. Hoping not to spend money, by using what I have. I really like it when my loot stays in the bank !!
Certainly the torque converter has drained from sitting. It will fill up again after starting & running for 15 seconds. Only after running will the correct fluid level show on the dipstick. Topping up is advisable but believe me, DO NOT OVERFILL!
Powerglides are easy to service but those old cast iron buggers are a lot heavier than the aluminum versions. As was stated by Johnny, replace the front & rear seals. It is also good to drop the pan, inspect the valve body for crud, replace the gasket & refill. Low band adjustment is easy and recommended. Modulators could also allow tranny fluid to get sucked into the intake manifold if the membrane is ruptured. You will think you are burning oil.
1962 was the last year for the cast iron 'glide; they were used behind the six & 283. The new 1962 327 ushered in the aluminum Powerglide, followed by all other Powerglides going aluminum for 1963.
Don't forget 1962 Acadians also had aluminum Powerglides, air cooled!!
The car's been sitting so long it's frozen in reverse. I've got to lube it all up to get the shifter linkage moving, at least I hope it's that simple. Wanted to get the car running at some point, but everything is "eaten". Always more, isn't there?
The fluid drained out of my torque convertor over the winter last year. Found it easier to get it working with the rear wheels off the ground after I topped it up. It was an aluminum 'glide though.
She died in Nov and now she can't used the money go figure 
