Here's the question:
My '55 1st edition has a 261 (in place of the factory 235)coupled to a factory original Hydra-Matic 4-speed with fluid coupling versus torque converter. I am spelling this out so that no one thinks I am discussing a "modern" Hydramatic!
In 1956, the smallblock v-8 was available on the task force trucks, AND could be ordered with a "Hydra-matic". I was not positive that this was the "original" iron case Hydra-Matic like I have, so I checked the gear ratios in the 1956 shop manual. They are identical to mine, so I am THINKING this WAS indeed the original iron case HydraMatic and not one of the "new" automatics introduced around 1956.
IF this is true, shouldn't I be able to couple any smallbloack CHevy V8 to my Hydra-Matic? Or, did the early smallblocks have any wierd bellhousings or adaptors fore the automatic?
Jim G
