Does anyone know if a 55-57 Chevrolet pickup dual range hydramatic will bolt up to a later 350 sbc?. I have a 57 283 with this trans bolted to it. Sandcast into the bell housing “THIS TRANSMISSION MUST BE BOLTED TO THIS ENGINE”. Would like to use the dual range hydro rather than a turbo 350 if possible. I know it won’t b a drop in but what do I need to make it happen? Thanks for any help
The flywheel WILL have to be machined so the 350 crankshafts balance weight/pad on the crank flange clears. There was swapping of the old Hydro between SBC engines, without regards to the "warning"; especially during the Junior Stock and Gasser/Altered classes. A pilot bushing, like used with a manual transmission, has to go in the crankshaft. You'll probably need to be doing some adaptation for an extension housing to use a transmission/cross-member mount (you did't say what the vehicle is). Don't forget to use sealer between the crankshaft flange and flywheel, and torus cover to flywheel. DEFINITELY use the throttle valve linkage, and adjusted correctly, or you risk burning the transmission up. What do you plan on for the shifter? Be sure to check out the Hydro Group here on the HAMB. Good luck with your project, and keep posting about it (inquiring minds want to know). I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
Right now the engine/transmission are in a 29 A rdstr pickup. Old school hot rod w/a 57 olds rear end. The original owner/builder used the Olds steering column w/shifter and dual range callout. Thanks for the info. Greatly appreciated Jerry
The torus cover uses a paper gasket that comes in the kits no sealer required. Hydros used for racing also had to use sealer between the bell housing and front of the tranny. The front pump is held in by and edge capture from two 5/16" bolts and has a tiny O-ring gasket. Warpage from a bunch of torque would misshape the parts enough to bathe the track in red tranny fluid.
There's also the O-ring type seal (square cut as opposed to round)that goes between the torus cover and flywheel, along with the thin paper gasket. The same type of thin paper gasket was used originally for the crank to flywheel connection. Mid-late 60's (67-68?), had an older friend who had a 56/57 Chevrolet truck with a hydro, and a trans fluid leak he'd already "fixed" a couple of times; he finally used sealer on the torus to flywheel paper gasket, and some in the groove of the flywheel, and then let everything sort of "sit" for a day before final tightening; must have had a warped/damaged torus cover or something. He even used sealer on the flywheel bolts. I mostly just handed him tools; was't going to get in his way. No sooner had the trans fluid leak been fixed, the 265 tossed a rod, and off to the wrecking yard went the truck; I don't remember if the truck was a Cameo or not, it's been so long ago, but I don't think so. I am Butch/56se3dandelivery.
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