#1  
Old 12-03-2021, 11:06 AM
Bill Hanlon's Avatar
Bill Hanlon Bill Hanlon is online now
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Fredericksburg, TX
Posts: 2,349
Default Hydramatic question for SteveP

I have an internet friend who is putting back together a dual-range Hydramatic that is original to his 1954 GMC half ton truck. Here is his concern ....

Two of the six springs in the torus cover are tight and 4 springs are loose. I believe that the springs should be tight so I will need to replace 4 of the springs if I can. I have looked at my manuals and do not see a part number for the springs does anyone know what the part number is or what the spring specs are so that I can find a replacement? Has anyone replaced these springs? If so what is the best method to do so as it is not covered in the manual. Searches on Youtube have not been real helpful on this so far, but I hope someone has had the pleasure of doing this.

... and a picture below.

None of the springs are broken. My response was ...

No hands on experience, but I seem to remember some of the springs are loose and provide sort of a "progressive" engagement. Are the two tight springs opposite each other? MPB does not list a part number for the springs.

He responded that the tight springs were opposite of each other and ,,,

Taking a closer look at the springs in the Torus cover and they are not all made the same. So the idea of them having different loads is sound, but still not sure if they are suppose to be loose. It is good to know that they are not all made the same implying that some of them failed and are loose. Now just need to determine if the loose springs are by design (progressive) or if they are to be tight and have failed.

Please lend you knowledge Steve.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	clipboard1.jpg
Views:	153
Size:	81.4 KB
ID:	579058  

__________________
My Pontiac is a '57 GMC with its original 347" Pontiac V8 and dual-range Hydra-Matic.
  #2  
Old 12-04-2021, 01:59 AM
Jack Gifford's Avatar
Jack Gifford Jack Gifford is offline
formerly 'Pontiac Jack'
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Phelps, NY 14532
Posts: 10,176
Default

Bill, this is just my opinion-
That guy is "over thinking" the deal. Put it in and run it.

__________________
Anybody else on this planet campaign a M/T hemi Pontiac for eleven seasons?
... or has built a record breaking DOHC hemi four cylinder Pontiac?
... or has driven a couple laps of Nuerburgring with Tri-Power Pontiac power?(back in 1967)
  #3  
Old 12-04-2021, 09:36 PM
stevep's Avatar
stevep stevep is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Mendon Mass
Posts: 6,592
Default

Run it! Did he drive it before> If so, was it quiet?

__________________
The difference between inlaws and outlaws? Outlaws are wanted
  #4  
Old 12-06-2021, 08:07 PM
59safaricat 59safaricat is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Land of the fee, home of the slave
Posts: 246
Default

Are the lighter springs lose enough to rattle inside the housing? If so, that doesn't sound right.

Shoot this guy a message on YouTube and see if he can confirm the spring sizes and pressures from his display.

https://youtu.be/GL6s2DwqH_0?t=292

  #5  
Old 12-06-2021, 10:35 PM
Bill Hanlon's Avatar
Bill Hanlon Bill Hanlon is online now
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Fredericksburg, TX
Posts: 2,349
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 59safaricat View Post
Shoot this guy a message on YouTube and see if he can confirm the spring sizes and pressures from his display.
I did and will post any answer I get.

__________________
My Pontiac is a '57 GMC with its original 347" Pontiac V8 and dual-range Hydra-Matic.
  #6  
Old 12-07-2021, 08:13 PM
stevep's Avatar
stevep stevep is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Mendon Mass
Posts: 6,592
Default

A Roto Hydramatic always had 4 loose springs and 2 tight springs in the damper.

__________________
The difference between inlaws and outlaws? Outlaws are wanted
  #7  
Old 12-09-2021, 07:12 PM
Kingman Man Kingman Man is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Kingman, AZ
Posts: 35
Default

Has anybody swappeded the early Hydeomatic and The Straoflight, either way! To me the Stratoflite and the will interchange, but the Stratoflight looks longer?
Kingman Man

__________________
1955 Star Chief 4 dr w ex w/c lift
1964 Comet 4 dr
1989 Cherokee 4 dr
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan w w/c lift
2000 Kia Sportage 4 dr
  #8  
Old 12-09-2021, 08:41 PM
Bill Hanlon's Avatar
Bill Hanlon Bill Hanlon is online now
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Fredericksburg, TX
Posts: 2,349
Default

The X frame n your '55 would make it really hard to get the later tranny in place.

__________________
My Pontiac is a '57 GMC with its original 347" Pontiac V8 and dual-range Hydra-Matic.
  #9  
Old 12-09-2021, 09:55 PM
Safari Larry's Avatar
Safari Larry Safari Larry is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Lancaster, CA
Posts: 508
Default

Bill, the Stratoflight is the new-for-56 and 57 Trans, same X-frame as 55.

A friend (Pontiac Pat, you know him Bill) made the transition from Stratoflight to dual-range in a 56 Star Chief. He didn't like the Stratoflight. Pretty big job, including exchanging the steering column.

Changing a 55 dual-range to Stratoflight could be done, bolting in the transmission would be the easy part. Then there is the steering column, linkage, drive shaft, cross member, water cooling, and probably other things I don't know about. Not advised. The dual-range is considered by some to be the better transmission.

__________________
Larry Gorden
POCI 1956 Tech Adviser
www.PontiacSafari.com
  #10  
Old 12-10-2021, 02:11 PM
Bill Hanlon's Avatar
Bill Hanlon Bill Hanlon is online now
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Fredericksburg, TX
Posts: 2,349
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Safari Larry View Post
Bill, the Stratoflight is the new-for-56 and 57 Trans, same X-frame as 55.

Duh! I should of remembered that.

__________________
My Pontiac is a '57 GMC with its original 347" Pontiac V8 and dual-range Hydra-Matic.
  #11  
Old 03-17-2022, 10:54 AM
Kingman Man Kingman Man is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Kingman, AZ
Posts: 35
Default

Have the 59 Strato Flight, want to get rid of the " right Transmission" and put in the " wrong one" for my wife. I need a front drineshaft yoke for the trans, price shipped to 86409 please. Really glad weather is changing from "sitting in front of Forum" to " Get under the car weather." Know they changed spline ""somewhere" in there? info please.

__________________
1955 Star Chief 4 dr w ex w/c lift
1964 Comet 4 dr
1989 Cherokee 4 dr
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan w w/c lift
2000 Kia Sportage 4 dr
  #12  
Old 03-17-2022, 10:56 AM
Kingman Man Kingman Man is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Kingman, AZ
Posts: 35
Default

Thank you for verifying my thought. Dan

__________________
1955 Star Chief 4 dr w ex w/c lift
1964 Comet 4 dr
1989 Cherokee 4 dr
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan w w/c lift
2000 Kia Sportage 4 dr
  #13  
Old 03-17-2022, 06:31 PM
stevep's Avatar
stevep stevep is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Mendon Mass
Posts: 6,592
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingman Man View Post
Have the 59 Strato Flight, want to get rid of the " right Transmission" and put in the " wrong one" for my wife. I need a front drineshaft yoke for the trans, price shipped to 86409 please. Really glad weather is changing from "sitting in front of Forum" to " Get under the car weather." Know they changed spline ""somewhere" in there? info please.
What "wrong" transmission are you using?

__________________
The difference between inlaws and outlaws? Outlaws are wanted
  #14  
Old 03-17-2022, 06:45 PM
Kingman Man Kingman Man is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Kingman, AZ
Posts: 35
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by stevep View Post
What "wrong" transmission are you using?
StratoFlight

__________________
1955 Star Chief 4 dr w ex w/c lift
1964 Comet 4 dr
1989 Cherokee 4 dr
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan w w/c lift
2000 Kia Sportage 4 dr
  #15  
Old 05-02-2022, 04:04 PM
d2_willys's Avatar
d2_willys d2_willys is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 49
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by stevep View Post
A Roto Hydramatic always had 4 loose springs and 2 tight springs in the damper.
The OP said that his friend had a 1954 truck hydramatic. What does a Roto-hydramatic have to do with the spring issue? Roto hydramatic was a different beast all together.

  #16  
Old 05-02-2022, 04:09 PM
d2_willys's Avatar
d2_willys d2_willys is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 49
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingman Man View Post
Have the 59 Strato Flight, want to get rid of the " right Transmission" and put in the " wrong one" for my wife. I need a front drineshaft yoke for the trans, price shipped to 86409 please. Really glad weather is changing from "sitting in front of Forum" to " Get under the car weather." Know they changed spline ""somewhere" in there? info please.
If you don't want the dual range hydramatic let me know. I can always use a Pontiac slant pan hydramatic

Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:57 PM.

 

About Us

The PY Online Forums is the largest online gathering of Pontiac enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Founded in 1991, it was also the first online forum for people to gather and talk about their Pontiacs. Since then, it has become the mecca of Pontiac technical data and knowledge that no other place can surpass.

 




Copyright © 2017