55.1 hydramatic

[jocko]

While I realize a 55.1 is somewhat rare to begin with due to mid-year changeover to the new model - how rare is one with a hydramatic trans? I'm assuming that's "truck speak" for powerglide...

Saw a beautiful resto the other day that had it and it's price was astronomical silly. Wondering if that had anything to do with it. It's the first one I'd ever seen before to be honest. And now I have found an unrestored one for sale - not in very good shape, but might be worth a couple hr drive to check it out.

Thanks.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Nope, a powerglide is a 2 speed tranny. A Hydramatic is a whole horse or a different color. It was a four speed and used a fluid coupler instead of a torque converter. I'm told it was a wonderful transmission in its day and still quite capable in the hands of someone that knows how to properly set one up. It was the heaviest transmission ever made for a passenger car. Interesting factlet

[Dan Bowles]

I asked a similar question and was told $3000 to rebuild the darn thing so I passed!

[jocko]

Yep, know a pglide is a 2-speed - just didn't know what a hydramatic was! Thanks for clarifying Dan - interesting stuff. Heaviest, huh?

So, still wondering if it's worth a nickel... I'm a manual trans fan personally, but was just wondering about thisun. Sounds like a pita to maintain - I can just picture going into my local trans shop (after I've thrown my arms up in the air trying to fix it) - their heads would explode. "Good ol" mechanics that know the old stuff are getting few and far between. I guess at least I wouldn't feel AS guilty putting a 700R4 in the thing since it kinda came with an automatic... Thanks again Dan.

[jocko]

$3000.... CRIPES! Ok, I just made up my mind (pass!)

[Dan in Pasadena]

Jocko,
Before you swear off the Hydramatic I should let you know I use a REALLY excellent shop owned by a couple older guys (mid 60's, I think) that have owned it since they were early 20's. I trust them completely. They gave me a reference for a trans shop...I don't have the card with me as I write this...but I can call them and get the refrence if you want?

The Hydramatic is a great tranny. It was once THE trans to have for racing (if you weren't running a manual) as it would shift hard. Definitely not a "slushbox" as the Powerglide was referred to...though highly modified Powerglides are used as drag trannys still. Anyway, if you want the referral, let me know and I'll post it.

PS: I just looked up Ridgecrest. I didn't realize you were in the high desert so maybe this reference wouldn't be of use to you. I tink the shop is in West Covina or El Monte. Let me know if its of interest.

[Spackle100]

Originally Posted by jocko

While I realize a 55.1 is somewhat rare to begin with due to mid-year changeover to the new model - how rare is one with a hydramatic trans? I'm assuming that's "truck speak" for powerglide...

Saw a beautiful resto the other day that had it and it's price was astronomical silly. Wondering if that had anything to do with it. It's the first one I'd ever seen before to be honest. And now I have found an unrestored one for sale - not in very good shape, but might be worth a couple hr drive to check it out.

Thanks.

Jocko, I have one in my truck ('58 3100) and it is pretty sweet. The PO used the truck to tow horse trailers. As a result, it wont downshift so you have to downshift manually, otherwise, it works great. I have a website that sells parts to maintain these transmissions. I want to sell or trade mine for working 700R4. If you are interested, let me know?

[Dan Bowles]

At least it WILL bolt up to your engine. A 700R4 isn't going to. At least not readily.

[sweet70beast]

Found this in a junk yard a few years ago.



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[jocko]

thanks guys - I'm probably gonna wave off - BUT, am still getting pics from the owner's soon-to-be-son-in-law in a few days - so, it ain't over til it's over.... thanks for the posts and the pics of the GMC THM, that is cool! Had not yet seen one from inside the cab.

Dan, yep, Ridgecrest is up here in the middle of nowhere - but wouldn't be the first time I've dipped into the mecca of socal to grab some parts or get some work done, so if I do get it, I'll be shooting you a pm for the poc! Thanks.

[sweet70beast]

The interior pic is actually a 54 GMC Panel that I found a few weeks ago. I took the pics of the pickup a couple of years ago and didn't even think of taking a pic of the inside.

[MrTucker]

Hydramatics aren't that rare. They were used from the 30's to the 60's, in everything from Caddy's to Military 2 ton trucks. GMC started putting them in light trucks in '53. In 53 there were only a handful produced and finding an original today is almost impossible. They were only made for a couple months in 53 before a fire wiped out the factory that made them. Farmers bought them, drove the hell out of them and eventually replaced them with 4 speeds or scrapped them. Starting in 54 they were mass produced, but I couldn't tell you the numbers. Basically, finding a 53 with a hydramatic is virtually impossible, finding a 54-55.1 is easier, but still tricky and anything 55.2 and newer isn't rare at all.

But dont mistake "rare" with "valuable." I have a numbers matching 53 with a hydramatic and I've only seen 4 online in the 4 years I've been searching and one of those wasn't even an original. One of those went up for sale and didn't sell for much more than a 4spd.

I'd be very curious to know what the price was of the 55.1 hydramatic you speak of...

[OrrieG]

My Dad had on in this 56 GMC elk hunting rig. 45 mph top speed, 5 mpg. Slept 8 in 2 queen size bunk beds, had full size propane refer and range. Full size wood stove, shower and toilet. They added a large gas tank that filled thru the orignal hole, got lots of laughs watching the pump boy as it went past 100 gallons a couple of times (gas was still 45 cents per gallon). Wife and I took it on a couple of extended hippy vacations in the 70's. I had a chance to take it but it had set for about 10 years after he quit hunting and needed to be completely gone thru, rodents had gotten to the upolstrey, engine was frozen up, electrical sketchy and propane stuff needed gone thru. Body and chassis was still in good shape. We sold it for $400 to the next generation of Oregon free spirited kids in 1998. They were going to drop a 350 into it and keep the hydro. In low gear it would pull the 16,000 pounds out of the Ukiah Oregon hills in more than a foot of snow. Overall photo is when we sold it, my Dad toasting it on the maiden voyage and my first elk rack (small spike) on the hood is -20* temp.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by MrTucker

I'd be very curious to know what the price was of the 55.1 hydramatic you speak of...

Oops! Sorry gents - here's the ad. Rude Dude actually posted it in a previous thread - ad says $6500. Guy I spoke to said it was primered last year and that he's selling it for his girlfriend's parents. Anyway, almost a week ago he said he was sending me pics. None yet. Feel free to call him, I'm not sure I will, but still stewin. I know, ya snooze, ya looze, but I'm willing to take that risk and probably won't lose sleep over it. I like that it's a 55.1, don't care too much if it's a hydramatic trans. Hard to tell, but if the body is decent, it might be worth around $4500-5000 (in my mind). The pic kinda looks like they REALLY primered it, tires and all.... I got the impression it's negotiable.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...568239257.html

[solidaxel]

4 speed Hydros............... can you say B & M Hydros !!

[MrTucker]

that link says its expired.

[jocko]

i just clicked on it and it's still there...(?)
He may have sold it, and that may be why the guy hasn't bothered to send me the pics.... But when I click on it, it takes me right to the ad. Anyhoo - here's the number in the ad:

Call or text Matt (310) 347-1437

[MrTucker]

weird...I click it and it says expired.

[jocko]

Dunno what's goin on MrT, but I can still click it today even. Might want to give the guy a holler.

[Dan Bowles]

MrT, a guy just joined another board I'm on with a '53 GMC with Hydramatic! He's going to gut it for a 350/700R4 and a 9"!!! I directed him here to see that they may not be so bad.