Should I get a hydramatic transmission?

[1956cameo]

Hello everyone! Well I stumbled upon a guy that has a large supply of 55-59 chevy truck parts. He has many rare parts including 3 hydramatic transmissions. My question is this. Should I buy a hydramatic to put into my Cameo restoration, or should I just stick with a manual trans? I already have an automatic column for a 55-57 chevy truck, and he has the transmission and the torque converter, and flywheel. I would still need to find the linkage and the driveshaft yolk. Should I buy it and still look for the remaining items I dont have or just not bother? Granted if I buy it I won't have all of the parts but I will be closer than I am now to having a factory original auto trans set up for my 56 cameo.

Also can anyone post pics or give info on what the Hydramatics look like or how to tell what year one is? The trannys he has are kind of boxy looking. When I compared their looks to a hydramatic my parents have in their 54 GMC they looked very similiar. I am no hydramatic expert so I dont want to buy something that isn't what I thought it was. Any info on identifying Hydramatics will help. Pictures would be great as well.

Finally what would a hydramatic transmission with torque converter and flywheel be worth? I think what he is asking is fair, but I don't want to find out later I over paid.

Thanks for any input or advice in advance.

[OrrieG]

My take is that the hydros are heavier and harder (read more expensive) to find parts and rebuild kits for than the more common TH350, 400R, etc. But they are bullet proof in the 60's were the drag auto transmission to have.

[1970454CST]

hi I am getting a 1958 gmc long bed frame soon if you are not in a big hurry can take pic of the hydramatic trans and send to you might have linkage also

[MrTucker]

I've just inheirited a '53 GMC with a hydramatic and I'm struggling with what to do with it. It's 100% stock and supposedly in good condition.

Part of me wants to build a street rod with it - IFS, v8, turbo 400, ford 9", etc, but another part of me hates the idea of tearing apart a somewhat rare numbers matching collector.

The thought of putting around in a 6cyl doesn't exactly excite me though. I'd rather have something lowered, but not in the weeds, with a nasty v8...

To make a hot rod means different things to different people. Some people want their frames on the ground, some want their rides barely modified, just enough to run fast and sound good. Others want to preserve a classic and run it stock.

Make it what you want, not what others want

[mr48chev]

Those early hydros are nice but finding someone who will work on one now and finding parts for some of them may be difficult.

If you are going for a 100 point show truck that might be ok but I'd just as soon have the three speed that came in it.

I think the real issue is are you happy to drive the three speed or would you be willing to go to the trouble and expense to be able to drive with a "correct" automatic.

Most everyone here knows that I am about the furthest thing from a restorer but I still believe that if you are restoring a truck to "original" it should be 100% original as it came from the dealer when new. Correct dealer installed options are ok but I can't really see getting caught up in adding things that it didn't come with just because.

To me a good three speed that has been gone through with new bearings and needed parts would be the way to go if you intend to really drive the truck. Very few chances of problems or issues on the road as long as you do normal maintenance and few chances of leaks if they are assembled correctly.
About the worse thing that happens with a stick setup is having someone who thinks the clutch pedal is a foot rest and causes premature clutch wear.

[mr48chev]

I guess the other thing I would have to add is that is the "OH WOW" factor of having a hydromatic in the truck worth the trouble and expense. Meaning, is this a big "OH WOW" thing to other restored truck owners?

[Texasdeere]

If you really want an automatic in your Cameo. I would be tempted to use a more traditional transmission. I know it would be more original with the old iron hyda-matic in it but that linkage will be fun to find. It is pretty easy to make a modern auto a stealthy install. The big thing would be to leave most of the original cross member in place and just add the aftermarket crossmember for the tailshaft of the new tranny. That mid cross member seems to be a pain in the a$$ when using more modern transmissions. I have seen people completely remove it and some leave it in and work around it.

I have been researching this same thing for quite a while now.

There are a lot of things to consider here like mr48chev has said.

OrrieG has a lot of good pictures of an auto install in his build thread.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by Texasdeere

The big thing would be to leave most of the original cross member in place and just add the aftermarket crossmember for the tailshaft of the new tranny. That mid cross member seems to be a pain in the a$$ when using more modern transmissions. I have seen people completely remove it and some leave it in and work around it.

OrrieG has a lot of good pictures of an auto install in his build thread.

Biggest pain is the converter cover plate, you cannot physically install it in one piece with the original crossmember in place. I took two am made a two piece that overlaps. It's tucked up high so you cannot even see it is split. I elected to keep mine because I use the 4wd offroad and wanted the original frame stability between the spring shackles and bed mounts. If I was to remove it I would replace it with a bolted rectangular tube mounted between the rear spring shackles that allowed access to the converter. You also cannot move the motor forward or the trans pan will hit it. Rear trans mount is easy find any 70's truck and drill new holes in the frame rails. Linkage is easy if you go with a floor mount, a little challenging if you stick with a column mount. I used a cable set up, there is also a thread on converting 3 speed manual column to auto operation (looks real stealth!).

[1956cameo]

Hello everyone and thanks for all of the comments and tips. There were many good points that were brought up.

OrrieG, the thought of finding someone that A- is willing to work on it; and B- knows how to work on it is definately a concern.

1970454CST, Any pics you could post would be greatly appreciated. I have been searching the internet for pics and info with very little success. I have all the time in the world so feel free to post whenever you can.

MrTucker, I understand the predicament you are in. On one hand you want a truck the way you want it and on the other hand you want to preserve a rare vehicle. Personally I would go original or sell it and buy a nice truck with no rare options, but I understand that route is not for everyone. If you decide to go the hot rod route keep me in mind if you sell the Hydro stuff.

mr48chev, Unfortunately I don't know if it had a hydramatic or a manual. Someone put a caddy eng/trans in it before I got my hands on it. I do know that it had a v8 originally and many other options, so it could be possible that it came with a hydramatic. As for wow factor, I would assume most people wouldnt even notice. I think if I were to put one in it would be for my own wow factor.

Texasdeere, If I don't go with the hydramatic the more traditional 3 speed will definately be my my tranny of choice. As far as a more modern transmission goes, even though they are alot more dependable and cheaper to build I would like to stay factory original with this project.

[MrTucker]

Originally Posted by 1956cameo

MrTucker...Personally I would go original or sell it...

That's the catch - I'm getting it from my father in law and it's been in the family since new in '53, so selling it isn't an option. but if I do strip it, I'll keep you in mind

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by MrTucker

That's the catch - I'm getting it from my father in law and it's been in the family since new in '53, so selling it isn't an option. but if I do strip it, I'll keep you in mind

I feel your pain. Next week I am going back home and one of my missions is to find my Grandfathers 46 panel that one of my brothers started restoring (basically took it apart at a "friends" house years ago) and lost interest. I was offered the truck in the early 90's but felt it was too far gone for my skill level. Now I think it would be a piece of cake, just lots of work. I just hope his druggy friends haven't sold or stolen to many of the parts, I still remember riding to the lumber yard with the original Orrie as a kid in the 50's.

[1956cameo]

MrTucker, That definately does complicate the situation. You know you could alway go down the middle and do a truck that looks stock on the outside and even on the interior, but has all modern mechanicals hiding out of public eye.

[72addict]

A factory 55-59 hydramatic truck has a bolt in transmission crossmember. looks to me like the motor and trans are bolted together out of the truck (flywheel is part of the torque converter and has to seal) and installed as one piece. My '58 chevy truck service manual shows how to adjust and rebuild hydramatics

[1956cameo]

Thanks for the info. 72addict. Looks like if I go the hydramatic route I will need to find a cross member as well; however I am trying to go back as original as possible and I think my crossmember is rivetted in (have to check to be certain). If this is the case than the truck would have originally been a 3 or 4 speed manual. If that is what it looks like than I will most likely go the manual trans route.

[72addict]

this pic shows a view of a hydramatic from underneith. It is hard to see the crossmember, but it is a bolt in.

[1956cameo]

Thanks for the pic 72addict. That is definately the transmission that this guy has. I guess I will have to contact him and see if he has the tranny cross members as well. Assuming I still go this route.