The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1954 Hydra-Matic parts

Jim Carter Truck Parts is selling some parts for a 1954 Hydra-Matic drive train on eBay (as-is and with all the necessary parts - almost): http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...1&category=33727&item=2440435842

I sent Jim Carter's the following question: "Does the engine come with this set-up? I understand that the Hydra-Matic transmission was matched at the factory with its engine (and this warning/message is cast into the transmission housing)."

I received the following response from Kelly at Jim Carter's: "I have never heard of GM matching the engine to the transmission, however the hydra-matic transmission was generally placed behind an engine that had hydraulic lifters."

1. Does the warning (which is cast into the transmission) about the transmission being matched to the engine have any importance? (I think "yes")

2. Does the truck engine with the Hydra-Matic transmission have hydraulic lifter? (I think "no")

Does anyone have any information or opinions on these matters?

By the way, Kelly said that JC's would sell the original engine (as-is) to the winner of the original listing for an additional $200 (plus shipping for everything).

Tim

I read plenty of warnings every day to which I pay little attention. I am not sure what emergency is supposed to happen if a Hydra-Matic is not " matched " to the engine.

My truck does not have a "matched' engine or hydraulic lifters but it does have a working Hydra-Matic.. It starts when I push the button, goes into forward and reverse when I shift the lever, and stops every time I step on the brake pedal.

I have driven it to shows as far as three hundred and fifty miles from my house and it runs fine..I plan on driving it to Auburn, Indiana for the 2005 ATHS Show which is about 850 miles from here..

If you want a truck with a Hydra-Matic, bolt one in and hit the road..Leave the warnings at home..

Bill,

Thanks for the info.

Tim

OLDCARKOOK where in New England is this ( matched Hydra-Matic and motor available if anyone is interested.) I'm in Maine and interested. thanks Bill

I removed a hydramatic from my 54 I just couldnt trust it , That trans weighed almost as much as the rest of the truck ! well maybe not but it was heavy . I removed it alone but it took 3 guys to load it into the back of a pickup , I gave to fellow stovebolter about 3-4 years ago. As I recall Mercedes bought the rights and some parts may be interchangeable with the old mercedes trans.

Yeah, the hydramatic probably had a cast iron case and weighed a ton. I've only worked on the Th transmissions...350/400/700, I wonder how the originally hydramatics stacked up in terms of operation and rebuilding.

Technology has changed so much there isn't much of a comparison. The TH series is far superior. Les hp loss, improved shifting, and durability. Rebuilding the hydramatic is rapidly becoming a lost art, it's been over 40 years since GM produced the tranny. If you figure a service life of ten years, the mechanics that worked on them regularly are at least 60 by now.

The warning on the bellhousing of the Hydra-Matic states "This housing must remain with this engine." The GMC Maintenance Manual states "The flywheel front and rear housings comprise a matched set which must remain with engine on which originally installed."

The reason for this is that the engine and front/rear flywheel housings are all machined to match.

When was the last time you used a dial indicator to check a late model automatic for center when installing it? Any race builder will tell you that you have to get the transmission input shaft exactly in line with the crankshaft centerline to avoid excess wear and pressure on the tranny case. Most broken tranny cases in racing can be traced back to poor assembly resulting in heavy stress on the case.

You SHOULD keep the flywheel housings with the correct engine but if you can't you should at least use the dial indicator to make sure the crankshaft and tranny input drive are in line. Is it critical on a daily driver? Probably not.

Hope this helps.

Robert
Sonora, CA