Hello from UK - Oldsmobile Rocket 88 1956 & Help wanted!

Hi There

I live in the UK and have just joined HAMB, I have taken delivery of my first cl***ic car last week - a 1956 OldsMobile Rocket88, just imported from California recently. 324 v8 5.3ltr, Hydra-Matic auto transmission. The bodywork and interior has been restored to a lovely condition by the previous owners (It has had 1 owner from new!!), the engine needs a good service.

I'm after some technical help please, appreciate any help:

1) Hydra-Matic Transmission - No forward gears, but reverse works??

I took the car out to the filling station after taking delivery of it and filled her up, including fuel lead additive. She was driving nice - a little bit jerky as it needs a good service all-round. However when I got back home after 20miles, the transmission does not change into any of the 3 forward gears - but reverse works fine?

Looking at the throttle/gear change linkages they seem fine and nothing loose there, the fluid level was ok. I decided to drop the Hydro-Matic transmission pan, unfortunately there were a few small metal filings/slithers plus looks like a small strip (1 inch long) of fibrous clutch material/gasket on the pan bottom. I cleaned the pan, the wire basket filter and changed the fluid using fresh DEXTRON 3 whilst the engine was running in Neutral, hoping it would make a difference and move forward in any gear - but nothing.

Does any body have any ideas what could be wrong, many of the gearbox spe******ts in the UK won't touch or know about this type of transmission?? There is a potential company nearby who will look at it, but wanted some identification - I can't even see any ID plates or numbers on the ****** body, but looking at FATSCO ID diagrams/pictures - it's a HYDRAMATIC.

(I know FATSCO will be able to supply me all of the hydramatic parts - which is some relief.)

2) Windshield Wiper Issue - Vacuum??

The dealer I bought the car from had fitted a new vacuum pump for the windshield wipers and fuel pump, but the wipers barely move. Does anybody have reference diagrams/pictures for the pipework, from the vacuum pump / throttle / wiper motor mechanism?

There seems to be on top of the vacuum pump 2x pipe connections. 1x pipe is connected to the windshield wiper motor mechanism. However the other 1x pipe connection appears disconnected/nothing attached (unless it's supposed to be an air intake with a filter missing).

I noticed a metal tube from the Rochester 2 valve carb, looks like from a diaphragm on the side of the body- not sure if that is supposed to link up to the Vacuum pump (hence the poor air pressure) or just left free unconnected to anything?

The fuel lines and fuel delivery side of things are fine.

I can wipe faster with my hand it's so so slow..... Appreciate any ideas please??

3) Lastly I ***ume the power brake fluid pump/reservoir, is the black metal cylinder the opposite side to where the engine oil & Hydro drive dip sticks are? That appears to be completely empty, the short metal dipstick registers no fluid at all. Is there a set sequence to bleed the brakes and what type of DOT brake fluid can I use - DOT 3, DOT 4, mineral/synthetic etc?

I'm ordering a workshop manual and various service items like filters, gaskets etc. - But those will take several weeks to arrive from the USA.

Appreciate any help, as I would love to be able to use it this summer!

Thanks in advance.

 

Hey there - Welcome from Detroit.

Can't help with your questions but you will get better answers if you start a thread on the main board

 

Thank you I appreciate the welcome & note...

 

Welcome from Saudi Arabia
and here you go:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/transmission-help.974443/#post-11026583

 

Welcome! Good to have you here.