The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 59 3100 automatic transmission

I havea 59 3100 witha 235 and a 3speed on the column, I want to add an auto transmission, will the column shift work? do you know if they sell rebuild kits for the hydramatic?

the original auto trans uses a different shift setup, need to get that with the trans and they're scarce - prolly can find kits for the trans - these guys have powerglide parts , they might know

Bill

you should be able to use one of the arms on the column and fabricate a new bracket from the arm to the transmission. the transmission shifter arm has detents and you can feel the gear. start at park go through the gears as you mak a mark however, whereever you want and you will then know what gear you are in

I installed a hydramatic in my 54 going from 3 speed on the column. More differences in 54 than you might think. The frame was even different as the Hydramatic had heavier crossmembers that unbolted so trans could be removed from bottom of truck. Brake lines routed differently for same reason. Trans cover different for access to bellhousing bolts, Driveshaft different length, starter different for solenoid start instead of foot stomper. Pushbutton start switch. Carb different due to electric choke instead of manual choke. Shift mechanism obviously different, linkage different, There was a new neutral start switch with detent bracket. I found a pretty complete rolling chassis for hydramatic, collected the missing pieces, and built new frame to put truck body over onto it. I kept manual choke as I have dual carb intake and cut the floorboard to fit the new trans cover. Just make sure you know what the project involves before you get too buried in it. All that being said, I would never consider switching back. It is nice!

That sounds like a lot of work.

Lets just say that I was glad when the process was over. There are still little odds and ends projects to do to finish it but overall, I feel the surgery was a great success.