The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Factory 4 speed hydramatic in 1954?

I am looking at a 1954 Chevy 3100 5 window with a 4 speed hydramatic in it from the factory. I was not aware this was even an option but after reading the operators manual I see it was. The truck shifts smoothly and does not seam to have any trouble. My question is how rare is this and are there many out there? Are they reliable? I have seen hundreds of trucks and only gmc's with the hydramatic trans. Also is the chev and gmc trans the same?

54 was first year for Chevy truck Hydra. Linkage different than GMC who got them in 53. The truck frame is different from manual trans to have heavier crossmember that can be unbolted to remove trans from underneath. Brake line routing different for same reason. Pushbutton on dash for solenoid starter instead of foot stomper, Trans cover "climbs firewall" more than manual trans cover. I think they are a pretty good find. I put my 3 spped truck on a Hydra frame and switched over with much trouble locating all correct parts to complete the project. I drove 800 miles one way to get the frame and driveline. Got picture? I would like to see them if possible.

Thanks for the info. That is definately what it is. I have a bunch of pictures. Is there something specific you would like me to get shots of? Luckily the truck is very stock and has not been messed with. It does have the original push button starter and selector on the column. Motor appears stock too. The best part is it is rust free. The truck was fully loaded as well with many options like 2 color interior, chrome window trim, corner windows, heater, dual spotlights etc...

Any pics. I just collect whatever for reference. Carb has auto choke on a Hydra also so there is an exhaust manifold heat stove and a pipe up to choke to make sure it is there. Like I mentioned, Chevy and GMC linkage is different so if you have to find parts, you have to watch for that also.

Here are pictures-
http://community.webshots.com/album/501603463cJpWwX

The original color would have been transport blue. I am pretty sure that is the only blue exterior that could be ordered with the 2 tone blue interior. Same as mine but mine has white top. Are the 2 screws on the dash top a sign of the electric windshield wipers? we need tclederman in on this one.

Yes, the two screws are holding an electric windshield wiper (maybe the original 2-speed accessory).

The automatic choke seems to be missing.

It is hard to tell if this is the DeLuxe cab interior (like Greg's) or simply a blue-interior paint job (blue heater motor). Can you tell from the interior paint job, Greg.

Brian, can you read and post the engine code that is pressed into the ledge on the block to the rear of the distributor?

Tim

I thought I saw a definite color division of dash top vs. dash face. Also the vent window frames appear to be chrome and the dash lettering light blue. I don't know what to think about the steering wheel. Horn button correct but no explanation for the rest of it. I saw the painted heater also. If I read the sales data book correctly, I think the only blue exterior color available with 2 tone blue interior was like mine, transport blue.

The heater has been repainted (rattle can) but the dash and doors appear to be original. I called the guy I got it from and he has the original carb and fuel pump in a box and is holding them for me. The steering wheel has me stumped too. It is blue in color and matches. The seat has what appears to be original material under the blanket and it too is two tone blue. It was a 2 owner truck.

I would be interested in seeing pics of the interior if you get a chance to uncover it. My seats were recovered when I was too young to remember what it originally looked like. Needs it again now too. I plan to go back with Unisons.

Greg I took some more interior shots. They are on my webshots album page three. Here is a link-
http://community.webshots.com/album/501603463cJpWwX/2
Tim, this is the # on the plate near dist- 0467249 F55Y
The number above the starter will take some cleaning to get at.

Brian,

I think that code is from a 1955 Sedan Delivery engine:

0467249 = serial number
F = Built in Flint, MI
55 = Year built (1955)
Y = 1500 series (Sedan Delivery) Automatic

My decoding might be wrong (1955 is correct but Sedan Delivery seems odd). Maybe someone else has better documentation.

What is the full code on the VID plate (on the driver's door frame)? I saw the photo and I think it had a H54F (1954, 3100, built in Flint).

Does the truck have an open driveshaft or an enclosed driveshaft? Can you post a picture of the shift-indicator (under the steering wheel on the steering column).

The 3100 emblems on the side of the hood are 1953/54 (the two chrome strips/oraments are not from 1954 - they look like two of the 47-53 truck hood ornaments).

47-53 hood ornament #1
47-53 hood ornament #2

Tim

Tim, Enclosed driveline. Engine is a 1955. (3836233). Tag reads H54k02298. You are correct with the Flint , MI 3100. The hood ornaments are very different drom the standard ones. They could have been bent or modified from something else? I have added pictures of the trans and shift indicator.
http://community.webshots.com/album/501603463cJpWwX/2

The Y suffix in the engine serial number is for the 235 Powerglide engine used in the 15-21-2400 series vehicles (passenger cars and sedan delivery).

Xram53,

Thanks. The reference the I have is for light trucks, so the Sedan Delivery (1500 series) is listed.

Looks like the engine was changed at sometime but it could have the original Hydra-Matic (or maybe the Powerglide) in it.

Am I right to think that the major difference in the engine (besides its blue color) is that it has hydraulic lifters (and maybe a different composition timing gear)?

Thanks,
Tim

In '54/'55, the PG engines (excl. 'Vette) had the hydraulic lifters, and all other car and truck engines had solids. It seems the 'Vette, even with PG, used solids.

In '54, the regular car engines (excl. 'Vette) had a bakelite/fiber composite timing gear with steel hub. In '54, the PG engine timing gear was changed to an aluminum alloy ring/rubber spacer/cast iron hub (as per the engineering features book**). The 'Vette and truck engines had an aluminum alloy gear. It's not clear to me if the PG and truck gears are the same design. '55 timing gears should have been the same as the '54s.

**The parts manuals make no special distinction between the regular and PG engines as far as the timing gears are concerned. All PASS. are lumped together.

You had asked about how rare. I have one and had the same concern at first. Did a web search and found places that will rebuild it and/or sell rebuild kits. I am no longer worried. :-)