Powerflite

["Bill Watson" <wwatson@xxxxxxxxx>]

 

Cannot answer all your questions, but the first Powerflite appeared around June, 1953, and was available on Chrysler Custom Imperials and Crown Imperials.   When the 1954 models appeared, Powerflite was optional on all Dodge, DeSoto and Chrysler models.   Plymouth got Powerflite in mid-1954.

 

Torqueflite (A-466) was introduced mid-1956 and was available on the Imperial.   With the introduction of the 1957 models, Powerflite was optional on all Plymouths, Dodges, DeSoto Firesweep and Chrysler Windsor, and standard on all other DeSoto models.  Torqueflite was optional on V8 models of Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto and Chrysler Windsor, and was standard on all Imperials and the Chrysler Saratoga and New Yorker. 

 

In 1960 Chrysler introduced the Torqueflite Six (A-904) and was optional on all six cylinder Mopar cars and Powerflite became a V8-only transmission.  Both Powerflite and the cast-iron case A-466 Torqueflite were replaced with the aluminum case A-727 Torqueflite for the 1962 model year.

 

I'm not sure what you mean by "..install flywheels and stop putting the ring gear on the torque converter".   As far as I know, Chrysler never built an automatic transmission with a flywheel and has always put the ring gear on the torque converter.  All illustrations I have seen of Powerflite and Torqueflite (A-466, A-727 and A-904) have had the ring gear on the torque converter. 

 

Models with a manual transmission, which needs a flywheel with the clutch, has the ring gear on the flywheel.  The only exception to this was in the case of Fluid Drive, where the ring gear was mounted on the fluid coupling or torque converter (as the case may be) as the clutch was behind the fluid coupling/converter.

 

I believe the torque converter on the Powerflite is different from that used on the Fluid-Torque Drive and the two will not interchange.

 

Bill

Vancouver, BC

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Michael

To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Thursday, March 07, 2002 8:30 PM

Subject: IML:

How long was the Powerflite in production  year start and stop?  What kind of changes were made if any during the years in production?  When did Chrysler install fly wheels and stop putting the starter ring gear on the torque converter?  Was there a difference in the torque converter used in 1953 after the mid year change from the Fluid Torque Drive to the Powerflite transmissions? Who has the best prices on a complete rebuild kit for the Powerflite?