Hydramatic ???'s

[2xcrash]

Does anyone have any experance runnig and setting up a hydramatic, ( the 1950 caddy/ olds) pre 53? Ive been readingpost on other sites and it looks like I need to run a kick downlike on a chevy trans t400? I know Ive said it a dozen times about being a newbe, is thisa trans I should be messing with for a t bucket or should I bite the bullit and get an adaptor to a 4 speed. I know 3 pedals makes hot rod but with the tight room and limited experance ( and the extra 2 grand Ill end up having to spend) id like to run what I got....

 

[T-Test]

Just buy the adapter for the T400 trans and save yourself a bunch of money and headaches.

 

[EX JUNK]

Just buy the adapter for the T400 trans and save yourself a bunch of money and headaches.

I'll agree with that!

Jim

 

[409T]

Do you have a t400?

 

[2xcrash]

nope... when you use the adaptor do you need a new flywheel and will I need any extra machine work done?

 

[409T]

I just stuck a Chevy 700R4 behind a Chrysler 392 hemi with an adapter. It came with the adapter plate, necessary spacers, bolts and a balanced flex plate. Everything was bolt up.

 

[2xcrash]

who did you get the adapter from?

 

[T-Test]

Trans Dapt has them I think-- and possibly the only Co. that does.

 

[Screaming Metal]

Yes....Trans Dapt....
also....
http://www.transmissionadapters.com/cad_early.htm
http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/th400.htm
http://www.wilcap.com/webdoc8.html

 

[Mike]

I suppose the Hydramatic would have some 'cool' factor, but talk about being H-E-A-V-Y. The trans itself weighs a ton, and rotating mass would eat up a lot of horsepower. That thing used two pumps, so there was a lot of power drain until the front pump slide was centered, at higher speeds. And that fluid coupling won't give you any torque multiplication, like a torque converter will.

Seriously, something as light as a T-Bucket can get by just fine with a T-350. Lightweight, a dime a dozen and much lighter rotating mass, which will free up some horsepressure at the rear wheels (like you will ever get it to hook anyway).

 

[Screaming Metal]

What Mike Said!
A TH350 will take that Caddy 331 without any problem, even it was hopped up pretty hot! Sale that Monster trans to a restorer for some $ and get you a adapter....alot less trouble....
Hell, as light as a bucket is, you could run a PG with no trouble at all....

 

[Screaming Metal]

Naaaaa, better go with the 350 trans like Mike said.....that PowerGlide will be reving that 331 up too much shifting into hi....lower shift rpms, lighter, will get the Torque multiplication you need and all that kinda good stuff

 

[Swampdog]

Ah, remember the old days, you could push start a car with an automatic if it had a rear pump. If I remember correctly.

 

[Screaming Metal]

Yep, had to be going faster than 35 mph to start the car, but it did work....

 

[T-Test]

Yep, had to be going faster than 35 mph to start the car, but it did work....

And the guy doing the pushing would scare the hell out of you!!

 

[Screaming Metal]

And the guy doing the pushing would scare the hell out of you!!

Yes, it would in deed do that....remember all the bumper misalignment on all those rods and the pusher cars....I think that was the start of the rattlecan spraypaint era....touch up time! hahaha....