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1950 olds 88 hydramatic trans.

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by teufelhund, Feb 12, 2012.

  1. teufelhund
    Joined: Jan 29, 2012
    Posts: 30

    teufelhund
    Member

    I have a 1950 oldsmobile that runs fine for about 5 minutes but after that it doesn't want to shift into 2nd. I don't know why this is happening! It drove fine and all of the sudden after parking for class i got in to drive home and it started this issue. I have done everything I can think of which isn't much since I'm not a mechanic. I'm lost and my wife wants to light the car on fire. i need to get it fixed! any help is welcome!
     
  2. F&J
    Joined: Apr 5, 2007
    Posts: 13,222

    F&J
    Member

    If nobody answers first, i can look in a manual for trouble shooting,... in the AM when i go to the shop.
     
  3. Dave50
    Joined: Mar 7, 2010
    Posts: 1,751

    Dave50
    Member

    Did you check the fluid? Does it have any leaks
     
  4. teufelhund
    Joined: Jan 29, 2012
    Posts: 30

    teufelhund
    Member

    fluids good, it does have a small leak but i check it everyday. I am lost right now, checking the manual would be awesome!
     

  5. My manual says it coud be the governor.
     
  6. Babyearl
    Joined: May 23, 2008
    Posts: 610

    Babyearl
    Member

    The governor is more than likley the problem,, or fluid level.
     
  7. gtoeasy64
    Joined: Nov 13, 2008
    Posts: 146

    gtoeasy64
    Member

    The first thing I would do is check the adjustment on the transmission throttle lever, the long lever that goes from the throttle linkage to the transmission. Disconnect that lever from the lever that comes out of the trans. by disconnecting the clevis pin at the trans end of the lever. Hold the lever that comes out of the trans the whole way back, towards the back of the car, and readjust the clevis pin so the pin fits freely through the hole on the trans. lever, then drive it to see is that helped...
     
  8. gtoeasy64
    Joined: Nov 13, 2008
    Posts: 146

    gtoeasy64
    Member

    Here is what the motor manual says is it slips in or misses 2nd gear.............
    1. front unit coupling cover seals leaking.
    2. front unit coupling cover exhaust valves sticking or missing.
    3.front unit coupling cover feed restriction or leak.
    4. front unit coupling cover signal restriction or leak.
    5. low oil pressure.
    6. coupling valve sticking.
    7. sticking valve or dirt in the valve body.
     
  9. 302GMC
    Joined: Dec 15, 2005
    Posts: 7,856

    302GMC
    Member
    from Idaho

    Don't forget to check the rear engine mounts - if they're broken or oil soaked & collapsed it throws the throttle pressure linkage out of adjustment.
     
  10. d2_willys
    Joined: Sep 8, 2007
    Posts: 4,285

    d2_willys
    Member
    from Kansas

    this troubleshooting chart sounds like the dual coupling hydramatic, not the single range or dual range single coupling type used 56 and back.

    No shift to 2nd sounds like the G-1 valve in the governor is sticking. Might want to check that and or the 1-2 shift valve in the valve body for it sticking.
     
  11. d2_willys
    Joined: Sep 8, 2007
    Posts: 4,285

    d2_willys
    Member
    from Kansas

    Does your 50 Olds start in 2nd when in DR or LO? I have a 50 Olds 98 that does that. I was told that there was a missing spring, probably the G-1 spring. This supposedly was done for the plainlands cars and snow/ice.
     
  12. mr50s
    Joined: Jul 26, 2009
    Posts: 59

    mr50s
    Member

    Hey teufelhund,

    Here's a quick round-up of early Olds sources in case you need to contact them for parts and/or advice:

    Oldsmobile Club of America
    Northern California Chapter
    556 Greenview Place
    Manteca, CA. 95337
    email: [email protected]

    Tanson Enterprises
    Sacramento, CA.
    (916) 752-8790

    Kanter.com

    Fusick.com

    Best of luck from another FNG!!

    mr50s
     
  13. teufelhund
    Joined: Jan 29, 2012
    Posts: 30

    teufelhund
    Member

    Thank you for all the tips. I have also been told that it could be the filter because it had sat for a good 5 yrs? any thoughts. and either way i would like to get a filter, so any knowledge of where to purchase one?
     
  14. try your local NAPA store first, then Fusick maybe
     
  15. Try: Northwest Transmission parts 1 800 327 1955

    Fatsco Transmission Parts 1 800 524 0485
     
  16. modelamac
    Joined: Aug 9, 2007
    Posts: 326

    modelamac
    Member

    I have a '49 Olds that had been sitting since 1966, the last time it actually was started was mid 80's.

    We got it going and the car wouldn't shift out of low. I put it up on the lift pulled the pan and it was full of a thick slim that had grown to the filter. It almost looked like a piece of cheese. It had to be peeled off of the pan and the filter... It also had all kinds of crap growing from every thing, it looked like a cave inside...

    Anyway I took a bunch of carb cleaner and a soft brush and cleaned the crap out of what I could see/get to. Put a new filter and gasket on. Filled it like the the manual said (there are a few steps, it not just a fill and go thing), along with fluid I added some of that LUCAS trans honey.

    It took a few laps around the block the trans started shifting at first really hard, but the more I drove it around the block the better it got.... Now it seems to shift just fine, very smooth.

    I don't know if I just lucked out, or if it was a fix. It works anyway.

    I got the new filter and gaskets from fatsco trans... fluid and Lucas from a local auto parts store.

    Good Luck...
     

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  17. teufelhund
    Joined: Jan 29, 2012
    Posts: 30

    teufelhund
    Member

    Thanks for the help guys! So i dropped the pan and found that a set of bolts had backed out or had never been tightened down after the rebuild. Now Im trying to find the rear trans seal. Im gonna try the shops listed. thanks!
     
  18. teufelhund
    Joined: Jan 29, 2012
    Posts: 30

    teufelhund
    Member

    Thank you for all the help. I went through fusick to get the seal and now she is back on the road again!
     
  19. bobwop
    Joined: Jan 13, 2008
    Posts: 6,115

    bobwop
    Member
    from Arley, AL

  20. monkeyspunk79
    Joined: Jan 2, 2011
    Posts: 553

    monkeyspunk79
    Member

    Good News: Olds runs & drives again.

    Bad News: Wife probably still wants to light the car on fire.

    Just kidding, man. I hope she doesn't :)
    Good job on the fix and glad you get to enjoy your '50 again!
     
  21. d2_willys
    Joined: Sep 8, 2007
    Posts: 4,285

    d2_willys
    Member
    from Kansas

    My wife loves the 50 Olds 98, she sleeps in back seat on long trips. Very comfortable ride.
     
  22. teufelhund
    Joined: Jan 29, 2012
    Posts: 30

    teufelhund
    Member

    BAD NEWS! the tranny is jacked again! I think i want to replace the tranny! Its too much work for me! I am looking for an adapter to hook up a turbo 350! any ideas?
     
  23. rld14
    Joined: Mar 30, 2011
    Posts: 1,609

    rld14
    Member

    An adaptor is probably $900 plus a turbo 350. Plus driveshaft work, plus mounts, linkage, etc.

    A rebuild kit for your Hydramatic is $350 from autotran.us maybe another $100 to include new bands You live in Sacramento, I'm SURE there's a tranny shop there that can rebuild an early Hydramatic. What's the worst case scenario? $800 for labor? Hell, a grand? That means that for a turbo 350 to cost the same any mounts you'd need to buy or make and getting the driveshaft lengthened or shortened would have to cost no more than about $600 including a rebuilt Turbo 350. Not gonna happen.

    Im having tranny issues with my Lincoln right now (because the fucking car is possessed) and I thought Bout going to a C6 and that's darn near a bolt-in on my car but decided to keep the stock trans.

    Those old Hydramatics are VERY strong transmissions, but ya forget that your car is now 62 years old and stuff just wears out.
     
  24. mr50s
    Joined: Jul 26, 2009
    Posts: 59

    mr50s
    Member

    Hey teufelhund,

    Just trying to get your situation clarified. You say your 1950 Olds Hydramatic transmission is "jacked again". Does that mean totally gone, or what? What is the transmission doing or not doing?

    I'm only trying to determine if the root of the problem is external (some error in manual adjustment of the bands or the engine to trans. shift linkage) or internal (some functional breakage or failure on the inside to the point where the car is not driveable and the trans. has to come out in order to be repaired).

    Do you have time to give us more detail on what you think is wrong?

    mr50s
     
  25. F&J
    Joined: Apr 5, 2007
    Posts: 13,222

    F&J
    Member

    x2, more likely that something has been out of adjustment, which caused other problems. No different than not bothering to set the cable correctly on a 700r4.

    Many issues start when the original Olds carb is tossed for a Edelbrock, and then the linkage is all wrong for the Hydramatic.
     
  26. teufelhund
    Joined: Jan 29, 2012
    Posts: 30

    teufelhund
    Member

    The bolts keep backing out of this gear in the rear of the trans! I think the old skool star lock washers are worn out! I'm actually gonna pull out the rocket motor and put a 327 in, i need it to be a daily that i can drive to Reno and back! I have the motor in the classifieds if any one is interested!

    http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7741594#post7741594
     
  27. Sshhh Frank, ssshhhh. That's something I don't want to even think about.
     
  28. d2_willys
    Joined: Sep 8, 2007
    Posts: 4,285

    d2_willys
    Member
    from Kansas

    Hell that amc 327 is more rare than the 303! A simple fix like new lock washers on the transmission and you are abandoning the Olds! No guts, no glory!:mad:

    My 50 Olds 98 still runs great. I drove it home over 1500 miles. I drive it on various activity runs. I am confident with it! Guess, you, not so much. Good luck with that AMC mill.:eek:
     
  29. magooz
    Joined: Jul 25, 2011
    Posts: 100

    magooz
    Member

    Hi,
    If you want to get the real info. Try this guy Gene in Ca. He's an older Trans fellow, and all he does is rebuild Hydromatics from the 50's. He's forgot more then any of you ever knew... A little long winded, but can tell you the prob over the phone..

    His E-mail = [email protected]
     

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