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Labor Day Putting down your wrenches or time for
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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,733 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,733 | A local paper has advertised a "HydraMatic transmission that fits a Chevy 235 & 261" for sale. It got me to wondering if Chevy ever used a HydraMatic in an AD or TF pickup. I understand they used it in larger trucks but I don't recall ever seeing one in a light duty except for GMC. Please commment. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,742 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,742 | Yes, Chevy used a limited number of HydraMatic transmissions in pickups. I think they started doing that a year or two after GMC did. There are a couple of distinctive differences in the Hydro that identifies it, such as a rectangular sheet metal housing on the side of the case where the shift lever and throttle linkage fits. That's in addition to the regular sump pan on the bottom. There's also only about half of the fluid coupling covered by the bellhousing, making room for adapter rings to fit various engines, not all of them GM. Lincoln, Nash, and a few others also bought the transmission for use in their vehicles.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 | Hy 53moneypit, yes the Hydramatic was available in light duty ADs and TFs I believe starting in 53 or 54. My first Hydramatic truck was a 57 with a V8. I have an engine and transmission from a 54 panel, that was Hydramatic equipped. The Hydramatic [dual range] continued to be used up to 62, the last year for the 235/261 engine, hope that helps. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 |
GMC first had a non-military-truck Hydra-Matic option in 1953 small trucks, and a variety of Hydra-Matic options for most larger trucks in 1954. Chevrolet trucks had a Hydra-Matic option in 1/2 to 1 ton trucks in 1954.
The engine and Hydra-Matic transmission were matched at the factory (and marked as being matched) but people have reported using Chevrolet hydra-matics with non-original 235/261 engines (same with GMC hydra-matics being used with non-original 228/248/270 GMC engines).
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 | I have a friend with a '54 3600 that is a Hydra-Matic. Nice driving original appearing truck.
1955 1st GMC Suburban | 1954 GMC 250 trailer puller project | 1954 GMC 250 Hydra-Matic | 1954 Chevy 3100 . 1947 Chevy COE | and more...
It's true. I really don't do anything but browse the Internet looking for trouble... | | |
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