Hot Rods Hydramatic tools

Hello again from Britain,
has anyone got advice about band setting tools for a 49 hydramatic?
The trans is out of the car on a stand. My shop manual shows a couple of special tools needed to set it up.
Can you get round this in true hotrodder fashion?
Anyone made up tools from bolts/tube etc.
Failing that it is grovel around under a running car in drive which strikes me as...hazardous?
Thanks,
Jim

 

Hi Jim, there's a Hydramatic private forum that you might want to join. Lemme see if I can find the link...

 

Try this one. You'll have to click on "Social Forum Tools", then join. It will look empty until you join. It's a weird setup, but you're more likely to gain the attention of the experts in there.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/social-forums/hydro-tech.671/

 

Thanks a lot, appreciate your help.

 

It's best to use the correct tools to adjust the bands on a Hydro; though it can be done without them it's pretty sketchy and may or may not work. I'd be looking on ebay for tools...

 

I adjusted the bands on my '54 Hydro using the 'count the turns' method 25 years ago and it has shifted very smoothly, even the 2-3 shift, all these years. But it has the two adjusting screws on the top, I think the early boxes only had one?

 

Look for the thread “Mild Custom ‘51 Pontiac Chieftain” posted by PhilA. He wrote a detailed description of his adventures with his hydro. He may have some info in there on how he did the band adjustments. If nothing else, it is a great read on what’s inside and how to rebuild one.

 

Google Hydramatic band adjustment. I think even Fatsco has the procedure on their site.

There is method of adjusting them while running, that works well, but the trans has to have both external adjusters, and accessible through the floor to do.

I build enough early Hydros , that I have the tools to adjust. The procedure running, is time consuming, and time is money.

Also later Dual Range Hydramatics have the front band adjuster internal, so the running procedure will not work for that model.

You could probably make the rear band tool, if you had another one to copy from, but the front band tool is specialized, and would not be able to reproduce.

There are both tools for sale on E-Bay right now, the rear band one is not too expensive, but the front band one can get pricey.

The tools were made by Kent Moore, Bonney, New Britain and Snap On, that I know of.

I have a New Britain rear tool, that I think I paid 45.00 for, and a Snap On front tool that I got lucky and paid 100.00 for.

Good luck with the project.

Bill