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.

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

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

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

I did and will post any answer I get.

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

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

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

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.

Duh! I should of remembered that.

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.

Thank you for verifying my thought. Dan

What "wrong" transmission are you using?

StratoFlight

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.:juggle:

If you don't want the dual range hydramatic let me know. I can always use a Pontiac slant pan hydramatic:thanx: