Technical Estate Auction Score? - B&M Hydro Stick

yep, looks like a Pontiac bell to me.

 

With every one I've ever seen, the torus assemblies are RIVETED to the hubs; yours appears to be bolted together (???). I've never seen that done before. Every single time I see one of these Hydros built by racing transmission company, from back in the day, I kick myself for getting rid of mine, and all the spare parts I had. Singularly, the most stupid thing I've ever done! I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

Even if it doesn't work... it'll look bitchin' on the coffee table...

 

So what if someone asks how much?! Sometimes it makes the "find" sweeter, we get jealous and feel good for the one who scored.
And if someone thinks it was too much, prices can vary from area to area.




....so, how much?
Both if you shifter finding guys![emoji6]

 

Does anyone know how many B&M built?

 

seb, I'm not upset, didn't read anything else into it. Do I have an issue with that question? From other than my dearest freinds or Mrs Highlander, yes. I have a nosey neighbor that asks that of everything he ever sees come into my home shop. 13 years and he hasn't learned yet. Again without being upset, it's nobody's biz and certainly nothing that should be asked in an open forum. Perhaps it's my old school manners taking over, I dunno. If that makes me an asshole I can live with that. My mommy said I could be whatever I want when I grow up so asshole it is...

 

i agree with you 100%

 

I was gonna ask too. Ya'll can't claim a "score" if you won't give the up what ya paid!

All I know, is I suspect I'd have made better returns on my old speed stuff than I ever will on my 401K.

 

Im old school also, but as far as old goodies, I do like hearing what they get found for, its interesting and also neat to know what the stuff we got rid of long ago is worth in todays market. I dont ever want to know price for any other reason but to see what its worth on that day to that guy. Its just interesting info, not necessary info, but interesting

 

It's a manners thing...& I agree w/Highlander 200%
If the OP wanted that info divulged, he'd have posted it in post #1. Get it?

 

I agree with Highlander as well. Besides, the price he paid at an estate sale likely tells us very little about its actual value on the speed parts market.

 

Hey guys n gals, right hand raised I really don't want to derail the story. Now and then we'll all stumble upon that holy grail part, sometimes needed and happy to be found at any price, sometimes falling into a pile of horseshit and coming up with gold. Not long ago we had a blog post about a steering wheel, and looking around here we can find all sorts of good fortune. I'm sincerely just happy for those who can live such a thing and it's almost the most rewarding experience you can have with your clothes on. And finally, I don't want my opinion to be taken at more than face (read) value and mean nothing personal. Now if my neighbor ends up here asking, well, I'll get booted for drama...

 

Same here.
Back on track, cool transmission, hope you find more info on it.

 

Very cool trans. I am building a 50 students gasser with a 56 Olds hilborn injected with a UC B&M hydro backing it.

Sent from my SM-G900V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Congrats to both of you on your B&M scores - very Cool

 

Without knowing what you paid (none of my business), I won't comment on how good the score is, but regardless, by the way you said you couldn't allow an old speed part to head to the scrapper, I'm going to guess you didn't lose your shirt on purchasing it.
While I'll kick myself for it, I'll definitely say that you can make your money back on it... The B&M shifter assembly can go for $300-$500 to the right buyer on eBay. I personally wouldn't pay that (bought mine for less), but there are guys out there who want and need them. I could put you in touch with a guy or two interested in buying the shifter. The transmission itself price wise is a crap shoot. I see them listed on eBay for upwards of $1,000, but I certainly would never pay that, given so many unknown variables. The Hydro transmissions in stock form are quite often give-aways, as guys upgrade or replace to something more serviceable. (I've collected two or three free stock ones myself). However, without any documentation or proof of a rebuild, I still believe they're sellers in the $300-$600 for the guys who want them. If you can nail down that it was in fact rebuild, that price would certainly be higher. @mutant55 @Dave50 do you guys think I'm in-line on pricing, or completely out to lunch?
And on that note, there are only a handful of known and trusted rebuilders of Hydromatic transmissions left. This isn't a transmission that you can walk into any old transmission shop and have worked on. There's a lot of detailed knowledge and speciality tools involved. However, I have compiled a list of known rebuilders who are still around. You can find a thread on that in the Hydro Group <- click to get there.
And finally, as @Black Panther mentioned, UC does stand for Unblown Competition. And if I recall correctly off the top of my head regarding the serial markings, the transmission core that was used to build yours was from a 1955 Pontiac, and is a slant pan model.

See my above reply to BigMikeIndy for more info. Likewise, yours appears to be a core from a 55 Pontiac - a slant pan

I'd put it to use! But it might be a while before I get down your way.

 

You are correct. However, with 1st gear being so low, most drag racers didn't actually make the 1-2 shift, electing to start in 2nd, allowing the transmission to make the 1-2 shift on it's own, and then manually shifting to 3rd and 4th.

 

OK you guys are helping me more than I'd ever thought. I should be hearing back from the deceased's grandson tomorrow. Thank goodness he is a fellow gearhead who can hopefully shine some light on its condition and history. I will say that what I consider a "score" is high side of the hundreds for something that I've never seen before and could not easily find another for sale.

 

it also shows gearhead grandson seller you are the right guy and your desire to save it is genuine, henceforth, he will be more than happy to help you with anything I'd bet. Make sure you leave a contact number with the family in case he stumbles across other tidbits and goodies as they go through stuff, dont forget to mention you like old documents and paperwork too

 

Big Mike / Speedy,
I think Speedy is right in line with his pricing, he as well as I have bought and sold enough of these parts lately that I would say that's a good temperature of the market for these parts. Some guys think that they are worth thousands, but the reality is just as Speedy explained it, repair / rebuild parts are very expensive because they are scarce, and qualified mechanics with the proper tools are getting hard to find as well, and there are a ton of specialty tooling it takes to do proper maintenance on these units.

Also, as far as a rebuild goes, and what it takes to keep it in true B&M form, in this case being a true "UC" coded trans means using the correct clutches, and other parts, it might have the T valve in it, but what if it got a set of cork / paper clutches put in it because that's all the rebuilder had? And that's just one thing off the top of my head. These are the things that make it a special transmission, without the magic inside its just another hydra matic is how I see it. And as Speedy noted, the cores are typically give away, it's the accessories that are the sellers, at least that's what I have run across.

 

You and Speedy are both right in line with my thinking. I wish I knew what was safe to unbolt to check condition of insides or even what I could remove to tell us more. Really hoping the grandson gets back with me today.

 

Mike, you can take the pan off the bottom to see how clean things look, 1/2" socket and 12 bolts, that's the easiest thing to look at, but you will need some special tools before you tear anything else out.

 

Thanks.

 

The suspense was killing me on what the trans looked like inside. Lets just say I was having delusions that it would be full of rust and water. I can put those delusions to rest!

 

Wowsers! It sure looks like a "keeper" from this angle.

 

it's now on ebay

 

Yeah, I saw it there last night.