54 Linc: your openiing post says the trans may need upgrading soon.  Why?, if it's not broken maybe it could just use a drain & refill. That Hydramatic design goes back to a 1940 introduction in Oldsmobiles. While it's not the intention of this site to promote G.M.equipment, it was original equipment in that car & if it still works o.k. just keep driving it...  


Paul

Back in the day, the 56 and 57 scrubys ran a 283/GM hydro combo in a courier body in a stock class and cleaned up. They beat everybody in their class.

You have a couple options.. rebuilding the hydramatic would be the easiest, assuming there is something wrong with it..If it is not doing anything funny just leave it.. maybe have the bands adjusted.. These transmissions are nearly indestructible. Used in light tanks and army 6x6 trucks. The internals are massively beefy. Parts are available. all it would need most likely are clutches and seals.The price you were quoted tells me the guy does not want to do it.  This guy can supply kits:    http://www.autotran.us/

If you must go modern then a FMX or C4 would work.. I adapted a C4 to one of my race cars with a Lincoln Y Block..  Requires machining some simple parts and a lot of screwing around but can be done. To start you would need a automatic bell housing from a 56-57 Lincoln or 57 Mercury with a 368. Tom Drummond has the C4 set up in his blown 368 Ranchero.

Rick Martin in Oxford Ohio may be up to re-bulding one. He has done several for his own cars and others.

Pete: those Hydro matics in Sedan deliveries should never have been legal!  You couldn't buy one with that setup.. It was a flagrent bending of the rues that only got by because of the influence of G.M. with one or two people at the top of the NHRA...  Just like the later use of 4 speeds, in stock class, in 1957 Chivys. You couldn't buy one with that transmission, only close ratio 3 speeds were factory.. Again the influence of G.M. with the racers got it by the rules..  


Paul

Thanks miker, Art Carr now owns California Performance Transmission in Huntington Beach. The 2 older gentlemen who rebuild the transmission definatly know the older ones. During my last visit the was an old flat pan hydro waiting to be rebuilt.
Even tho today they are known for their 200r GM's, I don't think they are stumped by anything.

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

[[/quote]
Paul, I did not bring up the Hydromatics racing history to argue old grievances. I wanted to say that the Hydro is a VERY VERY good 4 speed and since he won`t need any kind of adaptor he should just get his rebuilt. BUT NOT AT THE PRICE HE WAS QUOTED. Shop around. Pete