Best Year Hydramatic for Hydro-Stick?

I want to put a build a Hydro Stick to go behind my 331 Hemi; this will be a future project, so I am researching now.

 

The best candidates for high performance modifications are the "dual range" hydros, available from 1952-56. I have been told that '55-'56 Pontiac had the best of the best.

 

Good luck finding the adapter to do that. Personally, I think the GMC Truck/Chevrolet Truck hydros are a good starting point. Some people will tell you the Cadillac versions are the ones to use. Most stay away from slant pans unless it's strictly for an Olds/Pont application. Yorgatron should jump in here, and FYI, there's a tech article buried here on the HAMB on hydros. And, the years as HEATHEN posted. Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

I called Wilcap and was told the early Hemi came with Hydramatics stock, it'll just bolt up with no adapter? My engine is a '53, non-extended bellhousing.

 

Excellent question!

Great input. What about the technical reasons for this?

Of course I am thinking beyond as well.

How about adapting these hydromatics to Chrysler or Packard push****on setups? A kit to avoid a one off electormechanical excercise in would be great.

Vintageride

 

irrespective of Wilcap's statement - NO hemi came stock with a Hydramatic - sheesh - maybe it was a kid who thinks hydramatic is synonymous with automatic.

We had a guy in HS ran a hydrostick behind a 331 hemi - the trans came out of a 52 or 53 Nash if I recall the story correctly. No park gear in those old units if I recollect

dj

 

Start with a '52 (most) thru early '56. Will have a shift quadrant showing no Park position and instead of just a D position, it'll have 2 slots labeled something like the "3-4" on the "53 Hudson Super Wasp with "Twin H Power" that I once owned. Some applications in "53 came with a Dynaflow after the Hydramatic plant caught fire and burned down.
Not at sure about how to easily spot the late'56 and later "Jet Away Hydramatics", as they wouldn't stand hard driving and performance oriented people avoided them like the plague. Maybe someone else can report on how to spot the infamous Jet away!
Dave

 

I've heard the same thing about the best ones to build.

On the street another name for the dual range is a slant pan hydro. Maybe that'll help you locate one.