<VV> powerglide problems

[James Davis]

Ed, that the Sprague clutch (over-running clutch) on the stator.  It 
is a one way clutch that when locked allows the torque convertor to 
function in torque multiplication mode and when free wheeling the 
torque convertor functions as a fluid coupling (no torque 
multiplication.  Generally you will also find the transmission fluid 
has been overheated (that burnt smell), as all the engine's power 
going into heating the fluid and not into moving the car.  The 
transmission still shifts from low to drive and reverse works, but 
there seems to be no power below 2,400 engine rpm.
The Sprague clutch can be checked when the torque convertor is out of 
the car.  Lay the torque convertor flat on the floor with the diff 
side up.  Insert a differential stator shaft fully into the torque 
convertor .  Holding the torque convertor rotate the stator shaft 
quickly clockwise.  You should feel little resistance.  Now try 
rotating the stator shaft quickly counterclockwise.  You should feel 
the clutch lock and there should be a significant drag as you spin up 
the stator.  Remember the stator is only 8 inches in diameter and 
made of aluminum so there is not a great difference between clock 
wise and counterclockwise, but there should be a discernable difference.
Jim Davis

.At 01:35 PM 9/11/2006, CorvairEd at aol.com wrote:
>John,
>I had a similar problem some years ago and tried everything I could think  of
>including removing and inspecting the PG internally.  Found nothing  wrong.
>Since I had tried everything else I replaced the torque converter  with a new
>one and fixed the problem.  Apparently something broke  internally in the
>converter not allowing the low gear to work properly.   The car 
>operated properly
>in drive (hi gear) because the part of the converter  that broke was 
>that part
>that only functioned in low gear.
>
>Ed Corson