Olds Hydramatic - Please help with the ID

Hey guys, I am new to this forum and it looks really fun. I was referred to you guys from some members at the Antique Automobile of America Club. I was told maybe someone here could help ID my transmissions, bellhousing and shifter. Maybe I can find them a new home.
I have photos here: http://s729.photobucket.com/albums/ww298/i4abuy1/
The transmission cases have #8615013, one has a riveted plate that says R-55 626672. The shifter says B&M on it
History: I acquired these two transmissions approx. twenty five years ago in a deal for a (what I thought was) a 283 block. I mainly wanted the block for the pistons and crank to build a newer 283 chevy to put in a 73 chevelle.
I ended up not using the block and heads and stuck them in the back forty for the past two decades, along with the transmissions. I was told (by the guy I bought them from) that these were 4 speed automatics out of a Corvette. Wrong. The 265 block is a 56 vette block, the transmissions (thats why I am asking) are not chevy. The one with the shifter is solid, the other (I was told) was for parts. They both seem complete, but I have no way to know what they are or what to do with them.
I will hang up and listen to your comments. Please advise. Do they have any value, or are they really large boat anchors?
Keep up the great forum and comments.
Thanks guys
Mark

 

they are defently early hyromatics, hyromatics where a bop thing (buick pontiac oldsmobile cadillac) if theres no park there pre 57 if there is a park gear they post 57, they can be great racing transmissions, there almost bullet prof, i have a 55 oldsmobile b&m hydro in my 55 pontiac, there good transmissions if you are thinking of geting rid of them i would love to have a chance at them to have a extra for my car

 

Poncho, Thanks for the comments. I believe they are a 55 & 56 but I am not sure. Can I figure out the year by case #s, or tailshaft #s. They have the same input and output shafts. I don't know how to tell if they have park or not. Is the B&M shifter useful or desireable.
I have no use for them as I have no application. How about the bellhousing? The Bellhousing, Transmissions, and shifter are of no use to me. The classic car guy that I am, I would rather that someone that can put these to life, have fun with them.
How does one go about describing these to find a buyer? All, in the photos are for sale, the chevrolet heads are sold. Your comments are much appreciated.

 

Am I posting this in the right place or should I post it to another section of the forum. Thanks guys for your help.

 

Right place. There are a couple guys on here who know these very well and can likely add to what has already been added.

Just check in later. They'll show up.

 

55' Olds/Pont slant pan hydros. They will bolt to the Chevrolet truck bellhousing, but you'll need the truck flywheel and smaller torus assembly. And, you'll need the Chevrolet truck starter motor; very rare and hard to find, and costly. The slip yoke is almost as hard to find. The trans will be bolted to the truck bellhousing "at an angle"; it will work, just be sure the pickup tube/screen remains submerged in fluid. Those bare SBC heads in the first pic, those are rare heads with the two towers. Check the casting numbers with Mortec.Com. You'll also see the truck bellhousing has casted on it, "matched to the original engine", or words to that effect. Use adjustable alignment dowels, and a dial indicator, to set it up and you'll be fine. Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

Thanks guys for your comments,
I appreciate all of your help.
I would like to apologize to this forum if my post came across as an ad for sale. I am new here and after reading my post, I think that it may have been very broad in verbage. I have had these transmissions, bellhousing, and shifter for many years and my fear is junking some piece of vintage car history that someone can really use, or, maybe I can help to finish their original classic with hard to find items.
I mainly wanted to find out what I have here, because it is of no use to me. Last week, I was told that the transmissions may be worth their weight in scrap iron. Although the person that told me that was probably sincere and trying to be helpful, I find that hard to believe, especially after posting on this site. Thank you all for the past and future education.
I am currently restoring a 67 GTO and I know how related parts need to be consistant in the muscle car community. I know Pontiac and little else in vintage car history.
Does the transmission, bellhousing and shifter mate together like heads and block in a Pontiac musclecar? My fear is that I should not seperate the shifter from the transmission for the right application. Does anyone out there know what the shifter is for, would you advise seperating them, or not? I really appreciate all of your comments.
Mark

 

I'm interested in the shifter if you are getting rid of it

And like everyone else said they are good transmissions, and somewhat desireable, but only if you can find a Hydro nut

 

Thanks Shaggy,
I appreciate your interest. I have no need for any of these things and my main focus is to not trash something that might be able to bring a nice classic back to life. My concern is seperating things that shouldn't be seperated (kind of like date matched heads to correct block). I have no idea what I have here to even quote a fair price.
Mark

 

The transmission is from a 55 Oldsmobile 98. R55 means 55 Olds 98 in my book. These transmissions are the strongest of the bunch of single and dual range hydros. The B&M shifter sounds good. If you are selling the shifter, count me in on the offerings.

 

Thanks guys, I will be selling all, however I do not want to incorrectly use this forum to do that. Mainly, I was looking for the description of the items, Thank you.

 

Okay guys,
I called a transmission shop today, they told me I would have to find an expert on these hydros. Who is an expert here?

 

Still waiting on the experts.

 

Try sending a PM to Yorgatron.
I assume he is still on here, I haven't seen anything from him for a while.
Good Luck.

 

Back to the top.
I appreciate the information to identify what I have and your help many years ago to identify what I have.
For all of you that PMed me many years ago, I apologize for my lack of response but my email changed my access to this forum changed and I had no idea that the personal posts were there.
I had a Hydro enthusiast that was going to take all off my hands many years ago - that fell thru and I have to move these or lose them. - I have an ad in the classifieds. If my prices are out of line PM me and let me know. I priced them based on the advice of a local transmission / race guy.
Thank you all for your help.

 

Looked at your classified and prices are at the top of the range but an enthusiast might go for it. Definitely very desirable items. There is an implication that one or both might be B&M modified units which would put them in your price range if in fresh condition. Bell housing is pretty desirable but I would guess in the $150 range. Same for shifter. Chevy passenger cars never used these, they decided to develop their own tranny the Powerglide, as did Buick with the Dynaflow, but Chevy put them in pickups to the 1962. Rolls Royce used them to 1966.

 

Thank you willys36 for your input and help.
I had much interest in the shifter right away and sold the shifter last night. It was probably a little underpriced for its rarity and interest but it is more important to me that it is going to someone that can and will use it.
I hate to see these classic parts get junked or not get used. Not to many of them around anymore.
The transmissions are heavy and will likely be expensive to ship so I am not sure how much interest they will have.
Thank you