55 Hydromatic Questions

[toddao]

Hello everyone,
I recently came into 55 308 with a hydromstic attached. I think the transmission is set up for an enclosed drive shaft. Is it possible, or worth it, to get this transmission to work in my 52 Pacemaker? Can I change out the tail peice and yoke with ones from an older trans? The original trans in my car was a 3 speed manual without overdrive, so will the rear end need to be changed to accommodate the hydromatic? Any information is greatly appreciated.

[Clutch guy]

This is like reinventing the wheel. It requires changing everything from the rear engine support plate to the rear end. Cross member,all the shift linkage from column to transmission,the driveshaft,some of the accel linkage[unique to SWB only],the speedometer head,the floor pan if not so equipped,sometimes the exhaust header piper[has the wrong bend and won't fit around the hydro bell-housing]. Can it be done-yes, it just requires alot of work and parts. CG

[dynolou2]

It will need a lot of changes, rear gearing for one thing stick shifts used 4.10 or 4.55, while automatic used 3.55 in the dropout style rearend. You can't just change the housing, it contains a piston to apply reverse, planetary assembly /output shaft. It would take a partial teardown to replace that. Not a simple change over but could be done. Lou Cote