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10/8/04
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We recently acquired a turnkey front engine dragster. The transmission failed on the fourth pass when the forward clutch hub shattered.
When I was removing the valve body, I noticed that the valve body to separator plate gasket was torn in the intake port. (I could see the torn gasket when I removed the filter.) The valve body was converted to manual shift (before we got the car) and does not have a trans-brake.
I am concerned that the valve body was not converted properly, but I cannot see what caused the gasket to tear. The valve body is flat (checked with a straight edge) and there are no scratches in the plate.
Unfortunately the car's previous owner was a racing friend that passed away last year, so I have very little history on the car.
Thanks for your help,
Rick Lagno
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Rick,
The weakest part in a stock powerglide as you found out is the direct clutch hub; if you upgrade only one part that would be it. We carry wide steel hubs that accept more than the stock amount of clutches or also complete drum kits.
On the subject of the valve body gaskets, it is hard to tell what the cause of a tear in a gasket is caused by. You can replace the gasket by cleaning the gasket material off of all of the surfaces, separator plate, case and valve body castings. A standard powerglide gasket set has a couple of sets of gaskets included in it. Use the pair that matches your separator plate. Powerglide valve bodies are very simple. No check balls.
Thanks,
Mike
Mike's Transmission
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