The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk how rare is a 54 with hydramatic?

I've searched on this topic & haven't been able to find a clear answer.

We're getting ready to restore a 1954 3100series and the plan was to make it a hot rod. After doing some research, learned that it was one of first 5000 out of baltimore and has a hydramatic.

How rare is this vehicle? How much is it worth if restored to original condition?

I can't seem to find much info at all and would hate to tear up a rare optioned truck or part it out.

I agree with Bruce.

If it's pretty much original, and not trashed out or rusty, it would be a shame to butcher it up. I build sporter rifles from old military Mausers, but I won't chop up an original-condition, Nazi-marked K-98 Mauser just due to its collectability and history. There are plenty of old beater rifles with mismatched parts out there to sporterize, just as there are plenty of trashed-out stovebolts to hotrod!
Jerry

I'm not as quick to say restore it. If as Jerry says it is complete and in good shape I'd be hesitant to hot rod it, but if restoring it would mean chasing rare parts, and or repairing badly rusted panels I would not hesitate.

I have a 1-ton GMC Hydramatic truck with enough problems I've decided to rod it. My plan is to preserve the frame and offer the frame with unique Hydramatic parts along with the motor and transmission to someone else (Please don't respond to this comment as an ad, the stuff is not currently available).

Since there is nothing about the serial number that distinguishes a Hydramatic truck from a manual truck, someone who wants to build one will be able to use the parts I have.

Meanwhile I'll use my cab and dually wheels and various other parts to do what I want. Now this cab needs a bit of work and had already been modified a bit. If the motor ran cleanly and the transmission behaved like it would not need to be rebuilt I might have made different choices. Reviewing what it would take to restore it and my desires this is the right choice for me.

As for the value of the truck once restored, make sure to think carefully about what you would invest to get there. If the value of the finished truck matters to you, you need to make sure you have a clear idea the cost to get there. I doubt you can make any money unless its very clean and you are stealing this truck.

There is quite a bit different between hydra-matic and standard shift trucks including frame. Don't let it get away. However, I got my hydra-matic rolling chassis from someone that was rodding his truck so his loss was my gain. If you need more info, yell. 54 was Chev first year for hydra. And if you do rod it, don't let the parts get away without letting some of us know.

Not sure I agree that the frame and other parts are unique to the Hydramatic.

Randy and I are currently rodding my own 55 1st Edition that came from the factory with Hydramatic, and the unique frame elements appear to be BOLT-INS. The required parts for either manual or auto were apparently installed as needed at thew factory, AND some items were installed on ALL frames. Mine for example has a bracket that appears to be for a clutch return spring.

Also, those with these original cast iron Hydramtics just should not assume they need a rebuild if they feel a little odd. They HAD quirks. For example, the 2nd to 3rd shift is really harsh because BOTH planetaries are being shifted. And, ALL the shifts are much "more abrupt" than on the wimpy modern GMtrannies.

One thibng I found: these old trannies leak like a sieve, BUT if you add the CORRECT amount of Lucas Stop Leak, they STOP and no ill effects result. The Stop Leak apparently saturates and swells the old dried out seals and stops the leakage.

Also, it is apaprently much worse to run these trannies with too MUCH fluid in them than not enough.

Jim G

The main differences between 54/55 hydra-matic equipped trucks are listed below. If there is anything incorrect or omitted, please post this information. The following information might prove to be useful to someone who wants to convert a standard 54/55 truck to a hydra-matic-equipped truck:

1. There is a transmission-support frame cross-member for hydra-matic (the holes for this cross-member are in the frame side rail on all 54/55 frames).

2. The hydra-matic transmission floor cover is completely different is size and shape. A non-hydra-matic truck's floor board (and maybe part of the toeboard) can be adapted to use the hydra-matic's transmission cover.

3. The hydra-matic truck's gas pedal is attached to transmission floor cover.

4. The hydra-matic has a push-button starter on the dash (no foot-pedal mechanism) - it has an electric-solenoid-driven starter.

5. The hydra-matic truck has a different brake master cylinder and different routing of brake lines (an non-hydra-matic truck can be easily adapted).

6. There are no choke or throttle knobs/cables with the hydra-matic (but the dash holes are still there - with hole covers).

7. The entire shift lever, gear indicator, shift column, and linkages are all different.

8. The automatic-choke carburetor has linkage rods to the gas pedal and to the accelerator pedal. All these linkages, pivots, rods, clips are unique to the hydra-matic and should be carefully kept with engine. Many of the quirks mentioned above by Jim G are relative to the sensitive adjustments between the carburetor, the gas pedal, and the transmission. Having the original carburetor-linkage parts (and having a lot of patience when adjusting the idle and the linkages) are key to the proper adjustment of engine idle-speed, the adjustment of when the transmission shifts gears (mph range), and how smoothly the kick-down/down-shift works.

The engine and hydra-matic transmission were matched at the factory; however, people have matched up other 235/261 engines with a hydra-matic transmission. The 1954 Hydra-matic rear-end is however unique to the 1/2 ton hydra-matic, because it still has a torque-tube and the torque-tube length is shorter for the hydra-matic equipped truck.

As Greg Hill "pleaded", if you will doing a "restoration" in which you will not be using the hydra-matic drive-train, all of the above parts should be saved and kept with the hydra-matic drive-train (if you want someone to be able to use the drive-train in another 54/55 truck).

The original posting asked if a hydra-matic is a rare vehicle. It might not be rare but it is uncommon and it is a great conversation piece (it is too bad that Chevrolet had used Hydra-Matic hood side-emblems, as did GMC). Many people know about the 2-speed Powerglide but few know about the original 4-speed truck Hydra-Matic.

I am sorry for the misunderstanding on the frame comment. Yes, the crossmembers are heavier and designed to be unbolted so trans can be removed from under the truck. Also as Tim mentioned, linkage is special and even different from same year hydra-matic GMC trucks. It looks to me like Tim compiled a fairly complete list but there is also an exhaust manifold cover to get heat up to the auto choke. Bottom line is, if you do decide the truck must have 8 cylinders and a modern transmission, please don't let the old stuff go to the dump.

I grew up around the old 4 speed hyrdramatics,as used in Oldsmobiles,Pontiacs,and Cadillacs.I had one in a 1953 Olds and it was a real tough tranny.In their day the Olds 88s with the Rocket V/8 and 4 sp.hydramatics were something to be contended with.I bought a new 57 Ford with the 312 TBird Special engine,245 HP,and it was pretty darn fast at the time,just about everyone who raced that Ford gotta good look at the taillights.A friend of mine had a 52 Olds 88,Hydramatic.I raced him one night and if I would have missed a gear or faultered just a little he would have beat me.However I held it all together and beat him by a couple of car lengths.

My '54 GMC with Hydramatic has a relay on the firewall that is not found on the manual trucks. It has something do do with the starting circuit. That relay is another difference and unique part and the only one I can add to the list from memory.

I guess as a Hydramatic owner I don't find them real rare. I know a guy who has a '54 Chevy Hydramatic truck and another guy who is a member here who has a '51 Olds 88 with a Hydramatic. Those just the ones I think of real fast and are just guys I know around here.

My 1954 GMC 100 pickup has a Hydramatic transmission, which I would gladly throw in the trash. I am gathering pieces to put in a standard transmission. I also have a complete spare Hydramatic transmission and a 248 engine. The trans. in my '54 shifts so badly it is hardly driveable. Only one trans. shop in Fresno has the special tools to rebuild the Hydra. and they want $1,400.00 plus parts to fix the thing. I would gladly trade the whole shooting match for a good 3 speed with o.d.

What special tools? There's only one I can think of, and that's a jackscrew to release a big accumulator spring. My father fabricated that one from scrap metal around the shop when he started rebuilding Hydramatics in the late 1940's.

The only thing missing about rebuilding a dual range Hydramatic is the skill to do it right.
Jerry

My Hydra-Matic shifted very poorly when I bought it. The fellow who had owned the truck for many years had tuned it "by ear".

The shifting-points and down-shifting (foot pedal to the floor) are extremely sensitive to carburetor adjustments. I followed the adjustment procedures in the 1954 Chevrolet Truck Shop Manual (similar procedures are found in the 1953/54 GMC Maintenance Manual) and it now shifts smoothly and at better speed intervals. It also now down-shifts in a very smooth manner (it's got some "scoot" and impresses my friends).

This 1954 Hydra-Matic Maintenance & Adjustments Manual is also quite helpful (thank you, Greg Hill & Keith Hardy).

The 53-54 1/2 ton GMC Hydra-Matic is quite similar to the 1954 Chevrolet 1/2 ton truck Hydra-Matic.

Just ran across this topic regarding the 54"s.

My father in law picked up the one we have back in 1975. Was supposed to be my wife's first vehicle, but never quite made it. He had done some minor work on it, moved it from place to place until we decided to bring it home with us in the early 90's. After a few half hearted attempts, we are in the midst do a complete restoration. We decided to spend the hot rod dollars rather than pretty much the same money for a complete stock restoration. Sounds like we may be violating some of your "holy grail" recommendations.



We used the pickup for hauling hay and feed, short loads to and from the feed store. The truck had been in storage probably 5 years since it was last driven before pulling the engine.

Dwaino, welcome to the Stovebolt. Drop by the welcome centre forum and tell us a little more about yourself and project. We are here to help. What you do with your truck is your decision.
Good luck.