Yes, some were set up for open drivelines, but I would think twice before going to a lot of trouble to adapt one to a non-original application. There are much better, newer-design transmissions out there. The Hydramatic has a fluid coupling, not a torque converter, so there's no torque multiplication on breakaway. Just before the vehicle starts to move, a torque converter doubles the starting torque. A coupling simply transmits whatever torque the engine makes, so a lower-geared rear axle is needed for adequate acceleration. The downside of a torque converter is that it loses 10% of the RPM as the power transits the converter. (1,000 RPM in, 900 out). Of course, an overdrive transmission with a lockup torque converter solves both problems! The Hydramatic gets almost 100% RPM efficiency, but doesn't multiply torque, and it's not available with overdrive. It's also over 40 years old, so parts can be a little hard to find.
Jerry
