I was just given a Hdromatic out of a restored '56 Pontiac. It is complete minus the flex plate(?). I would really like to put this behind a built 261 inline, is this a retared idea? Is there away to make an adapter plate to go from the Ponco housing to the inline(with minimal tools)? I was thinking about a 1/2" steel plate cut to the shape of the poncho with recessed allen bolts for the narrow chev pattern. So what you all think? And can a bell housing off a cad hydro be bolted on to the Ponch Hydro? -Jesse
all you gotta do is find the bell for an inline chevy or gmc,they came with hydros too.yes the cad bell will bolt to the poncho trans,if it's a '55 cad that's a nice one to have,since you can bolt the good hydro to the '55-'62 cad mill.'54 and before will let you bolt it to '49-'54 cad or '49-'64 Olds.
So the torque converter(or are these the torus wheels?)can be split by unbolting it? So what car/trucks did the inline and hydro come in? I'd like to find a Cad housing and run a 390 Cad and hydro in my A. So i'm looking for a '55 cad bell housing, or any from '55-'64? -Jesse
I dunno about the caddy stuff but liek da man says, you can bolt the hydro to your 261 with the stock chevy pickup******* adapter from the early to mid 50's. While you're at it, score the engine-half of the fluid coupling for the hydro-to-chevy 6 too. You'll need it to bolt up the hydro. There's 30 bolts and 2 dowel pins holding the two halves of the fluid coupling together. Use a fresh gasket between the halves. And rejoice! The 56 Pontiac hydro is supposed to be the creme'de la creme' of the GM Hydros. Supposed to have heavier bands or more clutches than the earlier hydros or some*****. Mine lasted behind a hot rod 389 in my 56 poncho for a long time....they're great for squeakin 2nd and 3rd gear scratch...
Don't see any issues with bolting up one. Hell, eBay had a hydro to nailhead setup on there about 6 months ago.
So a manual******* bell housing will work, but with a special coupling versus the flywheel/clutch? -Jesse
You'll need the Hydro bellhousing from a Chev or GMC truck with inline 6 and Hydramatic (not stick). Also the torus cover (flexplate) for the same. And you'll need to be sure you have the correct pilot bearing for the snout of the Hydro to properly register in the crank. Also try to get the truck throttle valve (kickdown) linkage while you're at it. Early Hydro's are pretty touchy about throttle pressure and having the right linkage will make setting it up a lot easier.
Oooooohh, I missunderstood, hmm that doesn't sound like the most redily availible. I've never seen such a thing(not like I've seen alot of things ). I'll look around before I decide to get rid of it, thanks guys. Anyone got any Caddy details? -Jesse
What kind of Caddy details? Engine? Do a search, there was a pretty good thread on these a while back. Tranny? With the right bellhousing the Hydro should bolt up to a 390. Again, you'll need the correct torus cover and pilot bearing.
It's a 59-60 390", the******* is a '56 Pontiac hydro. I remember the Caddy performance thread, but it was sketchy on the Hydro details. -Jesse
Is the Hydro you have a "Slant" pan? If so, it changes the items you will need. I have ran "Early" hydros since the fiftys, still run one behind a "Blown" 56 Cad El Drado eng in a 40 Ford coupe, circa 56. I am in the Phoenix area. If you dont use this trans, I might be interested in buying it for some of my future projects.Call, 480 363 2267, might have info that you can use.
No, it's not a slant pan. I don't think I've ever seen such a car around these parts, you taken it to the central Ave. cruise on Saturday? After a day of searchin around for the parts I am interested in selling it to finance another project. Would you be interested in a '59ish Caddy motor to? -Jesse
I Plan on being there on Sat, I hang out in the east valley when I'm not in AK. The 40 is a Black coupe with flames, wide whites on 54 Cad wires. S.CO.T blower on it. AK plates NSRA. Have had the 40 at all the Good Guys events here. Its a "Circa 56" style. Might be interested in any Cad stuff you might have and the trans. Give me a call 480 363 2267. Dave
Greasy, get ahold of Lakesmodified. There was a 6 cylinder sitting by his place with a Hydro hanging off the end. This was over a year ago but you never know!
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