auto trans swap

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
This goes a bit against the grain for me, but I might as well know what my options are in case I have to do this.



If I were to decide to use a more modern GM hydramatic instead of trying to find a competent rebuilder who knows and understands these old gems, who would I turn to? I know where I can get an adapter plate to do this, but what else will I need to modify to make this happen?



What about linkage for instance? Will the old quadrant have to be changed because there is no park position in mine, and will neutral still be neutral, 4th still 4th, 3rd still third, reverse still reverse, etc.



What about mounts? Will I have to fabricate my own, or are they also available like the adapter plate? Driveshaft have to be shortened, --- lengthened? U-joint --- will stock fit, or more machining needed to adapt something?



Then there's torus connection. My trans has 40 or so bolts attatching the torus to the flywheel, because part of the torus IS the flywheel. The flywheel actually has to be sealed up to keep the trans fluid from leaking out. I don't think the new ones are built this way, so what then,
a splined coupler? If so where does one get this little goodie? Machine shop?



If I have to change anything inside the car that can be seen as changed, -- I'm not interested. If its just a bit different looking trans case, -- well, maybe, but even then, very reluctantly.



Maybe I've talked myself into staying with the stock unit already !! So here's another idea. Does anyone know of a very good rebuild shop, (preferably on the west side of the continent somewhere) that will rebuild these old goodies to perfection, or better still, --- exchange --- your core for a rebuilt one ?? Now that'd be the quicker, easier way to get up and running.



Please help with some advice !!! I think I just fried my perfectly good '53 hydramatic by pulling off the dumbest stunt ever !! When four days of trying to start a rather tight engine couldn't get me going, a (helper mechanic) suggested we try pull starting the car !! Well, all that succeeded in doing was locking everything up solid, sliding the rear wheels, and sending smoke out the dipstick hole in the transmission !! Now the whole works is sitting on the shop floor, stuck tight, and I don't even know how to seperate the two because I can't turn the flywheel over to get at all the torus bolts.



If I wasn't my own worst enemy, life would sure be grand !!



silverone

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Check with Gus Souza in w. Chicago, Ill. he rebuilds em & does a great job. He's probably in Auburn right now for the nats. Are you in the HET club? if not I'd suggest joining. If you are & have the roster it'll be easy to get a hold of him. Rebuilding the old units gets pricey, just under $1000.00, but usually winds up cheaper than converting to something else. I f you still feel the need to do that, contact Dany Spring at K-Gap, he's made adapters to hook the current hydros to the Hudson engines. Dany's at the nats this week. Good luck.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I would think the best you could do as a bolt-in is a 56-64 Dual-Coupling Hydro, which is not a bad transmission, but not as bullet-proof as a slant-pan type. Which is like 53-56, not sure the first year. Most of the GM Hydro trans use a bellhousing piece between the motor and trans, so the actual transmission swaps are not that hard to make work. But you'd need an adaptor of some sort to go to a newer TH350, 400, 200R4, 700R4 or newer.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories