Powerglide Direct Drive Modification

[Ronin]

Hi guys,

I am new to the forum and hope to learn a lot (and hopefully contribute as well).

We are using a GM Powerglide transmission with a standard torque converter. We intend changing the torque converter to a direct coupler, but need some advice on modifying the transmission.

Importing valve bodies such as TCI is very expensive, so we want to tap into the front pump housing and run a ball valve in the (not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)pit. This is old fashioned, but it suites our budget.

Can anyone please post a picture showing where to tap into the pump housing? I have searched Google for many days and viewed 100's of sites and pictures, but nowhere can I find a photo, diagram or "how to" article.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Arno

[Graff Spee]

Its real easy to do. You take off the pump. See those two big long wide passages? Those are the main pressure runs one is pressure and one is return. You can run a ball valve but use good line and run it outside of the driver zone. If the line brakes red hot oil will KEEL yo driver!!! You should buy the books,"How to build a racing Powerglide" Its from JW performance 1-321-632-6205.You can also get the book "Powerglide transmission handbook" from HP books, ISBN 978-1-55788-355-1. This book is almost a direct copy of the other book. It does have better pictures and a very small amount of extra info. A good video on rebuilding the racing Powerglide is from Ideal productions 1-316-284-2408. Hope that helped, it sure helped me when i started building these.

[Dirtrunner35]

Burt Brown transmission, don't have a number. Do a search

[DaveBauerSS6]

Use 1/2 in hose and fittings, if smaller it will creep in gear. Hook the ball valve lever to a clutch pedal, its safer.

[Kwhardage]

Drill a 5/32 hole in reverse piston. This will let it bypass enough fluid to not engage until you rev up. Use manual valve body kit to make it manual. Use a bump start valve that will allow you to take off in neutral by applying pedal, then shift to high. This will also let it be push start.