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**mr48chev** · 05-01-2009, 11:35 AM

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.

05-01-2009, 11:35 AM	#5
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,824	Re: Should I get a hydramatic transmission? 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.