The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop hydramatic rebuild

I have a 54 chevy 1/2 ton with an original 4sp hydramatic. I am getting it rebuilt this week. Are there any suggestions or upgrades to it that i can have the mechanic do to it while he is rebuilding it? What is the average cost for this tranny rebuild. one more random question...how many chevy trucks were built with a hydramatic in 1954?

It is my understanding that taking this transmission to a modern automatic transmission rebuilder will tick both you and the service guy off. I got lucky and found a local shop where the owner was old enough that he was working on hydra-mayics when they were new. There are several specisal adjustment tools that may not be available in a modern shop. gp to www.areds.com and get their 800 phone number. Speak with Leon. He should be able to advise you and help with parts and part services. I did not have mine rebuilt but did have trans guy inspect it internally and make recommendations of areas that needed attention. I am told that the trannies are almost bulletproof when properly adjusted. As mentioned, there are special tools for band adjustment, throttle pressure lever adjustment and others. I don't know what the rebuild will cost you but would be interested in the answer when you find out and have also been told that there are no published production numbers on 54 Chev hydra-matic trucks. 54 was the first year that Chevy trucks got that transmission in a half ton truck. GMC had them at least one year earlier. I switched my truck over to a hydra-matic driveline that I purchased from a guy that was making a srteet rod out of his original truck. There are many differences between the H-M trucks and the manual trans trucks but after driving mine as a hydra-matic, I could never imagine it ant other way now. Look up posts from tclederman and follow to his website. http://1954advance-design.com He has much documentaion and great information that will help you out. Also khardy has scanned and posted several service, adjustment, and maintrnance manuals for 54 trucks and hydra-matic transmissions.
http://chevy.tocmp.com/index.htm And here is my webshots link with some pics that may or may not help you. http://community.webshots.com/user/greg_h

I checked in the Southern California area about 4 years ago and found 3 or 4 shop that would take on the hydro. At the time I was quoted prices in the 900 to 1000 dollar range. Of course that does not include any hard parts that my need replaced. The last time I checked a master kit is in the 400 dollar range.

Out of curiosity, what is wrong with your trans?

I live in central California near Fresno. There is only one shop in the area that will work on these old hydro's, and the price I have been quoted is $1400.00 to $1600.00 depending on what parts are needed. There are a lot of special tools required so most shops won't touch them. I am putting a standard transmission in my '54 GMC, also the foot starter.

So what will you be doing with the hydra-matic after you pull it out? I have been wanting a parts trans that has tourque tube tailhousing as well as flywheel etc. Of course shipping would be a major obsacle.

I'm rebuilding my 55 1st chevy hydramatic tranny. I found a broken spring inside the rear servo that I wouln't have found just checking it out. I'm looking for the adjustment tools. Does anybody know where I could even find specs on these tools so I could make them myself. I have already made the external band adjusting tool.

Check Ebay for shop manuals on that transmission- - - -there's usually several ads for either originals or reprints. With very few exceptions, any manual for Cadillac, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Nash, Chevy or GMC (truck) will have enough information to do a good rebuild. The manual you're looking for is for the "dual Range" Hydramatic, from about 1953 to 55 in the cars, not the later model "Controlled Coupling" transmission that was used from 1956 to 64 in cars. Chevy or GMC trucks never used the controlled coupling transmission. It's entirely different from the dual range, and it's a real PITA to rebuild.

The best source for antique tranny rebuild parts I know of is FATSCO transmission parts.

http://www.fatsco.com/index.htm

The dual range hydro is VERY picky on throttle pressure adjustment. Too high, and it slams into gear, too low, and there's lots of slippage and clutch burning. Be sure your tech knows all he needs to about making those band and throttle linkage adjustments.
Jerry

What's a "hydro". I though this thread was about Hydra-Matic transmissions.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/booklets/5430smindex.html

here is the first of 7 books on 54 Chev truck hydra-matic transmission. This one covers maintenance and adjustments.

Thanks for the replies. I feel comfortable with the shop manual's rebuild info. I just need a resource for the internal band adjusting tools and the governor gauge tool. The rear band tool is simply a gauge. I just need someone to trace it on a piece of paper or take a picture of them next to a ruler. of course, being able to rent them would be better.