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#58411 03/28/2006 7:35 AM | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 28 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 28 | One more question on my new truck. It is a 1959 Apache 31 and it has an automatic. The guy I bought the truck from seemed like a great guy and warned me not to worry that the truck will go through all three gears very quickly. He was right, it runs through all gears in less than two truck lengths. It is a little jerky compared to modern automatics but it seems to work fine. He also told me that legend has it that these transmissions were actually developed for use in Sherman Tanks.
Two part question; is the transmission supposed to shift that quickly and is there any truth to the story about the tank trans. thanks for the help. I love this truck already, thanks Al
1959 Apache.
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#58412 03/28/2006 10:24 PM | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | I thought they put powerglides in the 59 but i,m shure someone will correct me if it,s wrong. The old hydramatics actually had 4 speeds. The 1-2 shift was very quick & soft so many people don,t even know it,s there. The 2-3 shift had a pretty wide spead. If it shifts good & firm you have a really good trans. There are adjustments on the bands & linkage. If it is shifting that soon you may need a linkage adjustment. They were used in tanks during the war but I don,t think they were originally developed for that. Olds. started useing them in 39 & Cad in 40.
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | |
#58413 03/28/2006 10:47 PM | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | the TF manual sez there were 2 sizes of "power-matic" trans used [M25 for 261 & 283, M30 for the 322 V8],and it has 6 forward speeds - a 4 speed "hydra-matic" was also available - so you prolly could have any of the 3
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#58414 03/29/2006 1:54 AM | Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 452 Member | | Member Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 452 | No Powerglides in the light trucks until '60, and the Powermatic was only available in the big trucks. If 8t8's trans is original, it would have to be a Hydramatic.
Curt
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1953 Chevy 6400, 1957 Chevy 2dr Sedan
--"Mediocrity is easy, the good things take time"
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#58415 03/29/2006 2:08 AM | Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,966 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,966 | I don't know about tanks but they were in M Series GMC 2 1/2 ton 6X6 trucks with a dual range so that was 8 possible speeds. Look at this link.
Professional Novice
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#58416 03/29/2006 3:25 AM | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 28 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 28 | You guys are all correct. I drove around today and I can feel the 4 gears shift. My shift indicator is cracked up so I can't rely on it. Does anyone know of a source for a new crescent shaped shift indicator. As I am sure you guys know the pattern is, from left to right; N,1-4,1-3,1-2 and R. So the more modern indicators won't work. I really appreciate everyones help,
1959 Apache.
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