Old rebuilder of a GM Hydromatic transmission

[Dick G.]

Delete if necessary. I am posting this for a friend. He has a very rare one- owner 1959 Cadillac convertible. Very original car with paperwork from owner and GM. He cannot find any OLD mechanic that has experience in rebuilding these old trannies. Any suggestions. Again, I apologize if this NON- corvette post offends anyone. Just trying to help a friend out finding a trustworthy rebuilder. Thanks
Dick Gutman

[Joel A.]

Re: Old rebuilder of a GM Hydromatic transmission

What part of the country is he in? I've built quite a few of those old dinosaurs in my time. There's plenty of us "Old Dogs" that can still do a "real man's" trans!
Parts can be difficult to find, but there is a place in Ohio(I think) that can supply most anything you need for the golden oldies. They even manufacture/repro some of the stuff.

[Terry M.]

Re: Old rebuilder of a GM Hydromatic transmission

I don't think finding someone to do it will be as hard as you think, Dick, but if he doesn't belong to the Cadillac & LaSalle Club he should. I do, and so do some others on this board. Life is not ALL Corvettes.

http://cadillaclasalleclub.org/

[Roy B.]

Re: Old rebuilder of a GM Hydromatic transmission

Like Terry said contact Cadillac people , they should help . Years ago I put out a PG video on how to rebuild a PG and sold many to Chevy guys. Their is always some one doing the same thing

[William C.]

Re: Old rebuilder of a GM Hydromatic transmission

When I was racing in the 60's, a guy named Ray Lubenenski (?spelling) in Toledo did mine, lasi I knew he was still in the business. Also try the Olds Club (OCA) lots of Hydro folks there.

[Dick G.]

Re: Old rebuilder of a GM Hydromatic transmission

He pursued the GM resto. pack from GM. He received a phonecall from GM informing him of this car's rarity. Why? It is a 59 red/red convertible series 62 with an Eldorado Tri-power engine. Only 10 series 62 cars came with with the eldorado engine. They were suppose to all be red/red. I hope I got the story correct.
Thanks to all who responded.
Dick Gutman

[Dick G.]

Re: Old rebuilder of a GM Hydromatic transmission

I forgot to mention. We are located in North Dakota.
DG

[Paul J.]

Re: Old rebuilder of a GM Hydromatic transmission

The 345 hp Eldorado "Q" engine was standard equipment on the Eldorado models and optional for all other Cadillacs. It was a 390 cui cast iron V-8 with a 10.5:1 compression ratio. It had a 4.0" bore and a 3.875" stroke and I think it had aluminum pistons. It came with three Rochester two barrel 7015901 carburetors and cost $134.30 extra.

It would not be unusual for only a few "base model" Series 62's to be so equiped. There seems to be a lot of production information around about the '59s, although I don't know the sources and how much you can trust it.

Dick, if he needs parts or service and does'nt belong to the Cadillac & Lasalle Club he can find a lot of information on the internet. Just have him do a search and follow those leads. However, Terry's suggestion of the Cadillac & Lasalle Club is his best bet.

Paul

[Michael H.]

Re: Old rebuilder of a GM Hydromatic transmission

He cannot find any OLD mechanic that has experience in rebuilding these old trannies. Any suggestions.

If you can't locate someone from the Cadillac club that knows how to rebuild this transmission, you might try the Oldsmobile and Pontiac clubs. These cars used the same "Controlled Coupling Hydramatic" transmission from 56 to 64.

[John D.]

Re: Old rebuilder of a GM Hydromatic transmission

If you can't locate someone from the Cadillac club that knows how to rebuild this transmission, you might try the Oldsmobile and Pontiac clubs. These cars used the same "Controlled Coupling Hydramatic" transmission from 56 to 64.

mike,

What is it about those transmissions that makes them so different. What exacly is controlled coupling ?.....thanks.

[Michael H.]

Re: Old rebuilder of a GM Hydromatic transmission

mike,

What is it about those transmissions that makes them so different. What exacly is controlled coupling ?.....thanks.

Those old units had a unique system that used a torque converter AND a smaller fluid coupling behind it. (another small converter) In drive/1st speed, only the converter is filled with fluid. For the 2nd speed, the small coupling is filled. For the 3rd speed, the exhaust valves open and the coupling dumps and then refills for 4th. (or is it the other way around? Been 40 years since I've worked on one)

The only other GM transmission I know of that used that system was the 3 speed "Slim Jim", or Roto Hydramatic. (early 60's)

[Robert S.]

Re: Old rebuilder of a GM Hydromatic transmission

Years ago there was a guy at H & H Transmission in Lincoln Nebraska that rebuilt the trans in my 63 F-85. They may still have that knowledge. Their phone number is 402-476-0386.