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1959 Cadillac Transmission Options

Started by nick7764, June 09, 2014, 03:39:35 PM

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nick7764

Hello all,

Looking for some advice...  I'm in the process of getting the engine and transmission rebuilt on my 59' Series 62.  High mileage southern car, with very little rust, very solid car.  But worn out...  The engine is hopefully on schedule to be finished later this month...  The tranny is a little more problematic.  The rebuilders (a local shop) basically told me its worn and beat, and it would probably be cheaper to get another transmission to use the parts, or just get another rebuilt one.  They said the entire front pump assembly is shot, along with the front coupling.  In addition to needing all washers, and a full rebuild kit.  The pump assembly and coupling seem impossible to find...leading me to look into just getting another tranny.

In terms of getting a rebuilt one, I have read that 56-64' Cadillac transmissions should work.  I have found a rebuilt 56' Caddy transmission.  Will this be a direct bolt-up?  Or is there some sort of conversion kit required?  (such as this one below)

http://www.wmsbrg.com/cadillac/Richmond/Tech_Tips/Early-Cadillac-to-TH350_trans.pdf

Hopefully the girl will be running and driving again before too long...  right now its been at the shop longer than its been home!  I also apologize for any automotive ignorance- I love old cars, but am not mechanically inclined...

Nick


David Greenburg

I'm not familiar with '56 transmissions, but based on what I've read here, even if it is compatible, that year was problematic. 
David Greenburg
'60 Eldorado Seville
'61 Fleetwood Sixty Special

J. Gomez

Nick,

I would suggest not going backwards on your exchanged from the 1959 models, instead go forward. There was several changes and modification made to the Hydra-matic from the early 1956 with the 1956 having several issues being the first year.

There are also changes made internally to the to control, shift, coupling valves, the removal of the rear pump after the 1957 model, torus and the main shaft at the tranny .

If you can find a 1959-1962 as a core or parts for yours this will be your best option.

These Hydra-matics were extremely reliable especially the older ones and they took a lot of beating before a total failure. Can you take some shoots on the condition of these items?  Just for your own knowledge, modern tranny shops are not well verse in these beasts.
Last there still parts available depending on what is needed, Fatsco for the complete rebuilt kit, Autotran.us for parts.

Other members for sure will chime in with more details and hints.

Good luck..!
J. Gomez
CLC #23082

nick7764

Thanks for the advice- I have also found a used 62-63 transmission.  It comes with a 30 day warranty, and is affordable, so I may go that route to get parts.  With that being said, will parts from a 1962 or 63 transmission be interchangeable with a 59' tranny?


J. Gomez

Nick,

Some internal parts would other may not it all depends on which ones you will take from the used one.

You can find the specific items from the Master Parts List for your research. You can find the MPL up to 1964 at the MCLC document section.

The transmission would be under Group 4 -> http://www.modifiedcadillac.org/documents/Shop_Manuals_and_Illus_Catalogs/Master%20Parts%20List%20thru%201964/Group%204/

Good luck..!
J. Gomez
CLC #23082

Dan LeBlanc

If you have a way to come get it or have someone come pick it up, I have a 1962 transmission I pulled from a low mileage car you can have for free.  Worked fine when I pulled it out.

The parts car it came out of had about 68k miles and the car drove very well 350 miles home.  The car was too far gone body wise to save.
Dan LeBlanc
1977 Lincoln Continental Town Car

Ken Perry

The 59 is bigger in the pan area.If you have a trans that works good out of a 60 cad it will bolt rite in. If it's out of a 61-62-63 or 64 non th400 car then there are some problems!!! The starter is different,so are the cooling lines. I put a 61 in one of my 59s years ago but it took some work. I think if you are having one built if you combine a few 59 parts with the 61-64 it makes it a bolt in,lighter and a little better. The main thing you need is a old timmer,  that speaks Jetaway!!! Oh if the shipping is not insane,you should jump on the free trans from Dan. I have a lot of Jetaways and I am in California. Ken Perry
Cadillac Ken

nick7764

Dan,

Thank you for the offer!  I may possibly take you up one that...  With that being said I am also considering getting a rebuilt transmission from Cadillac King in CA.  A bit pricey with shipping, but a possibility.  By the time it gets shipped, and with the $300 core charge, its less than 3k, but not by much..  They seem to be a big Caddy parts supplier- does anyone have any experience with them?  I apologize for my ignorance- this is my first old Caddy!

txturbo

wow....I just had my 56 rebuilt and I thought $1000 was high.
D. Roden
1956 Coupe De Ville PINK
1963 Cadillac Sedan De Ville

66 Eldo

With a number like $3k being thrown around you may want to consider installing a more modern 700R4 overdrive in your '59. Not sure what your goals are in regard to originality but these transmissions really transform the car with better acceleration and highway mpg.  Anyone installed one of these in a pre- 64 Caddy?

txturbo

I've done it in other cars.... But not a Caddy.....yet.
D. Roden
1956 Coupe De Ville PINK
1963 Cadillac Sedan De Ville

INTMD8

Quote from: 66 Eldo on June 12, 2014, 01:04:22 AM
With a number like $3k being thrown around you may want to consider installing a more modern 700R4 overdrive in your '59. Not sure what your goals are in regard to originality but these transmissions really transform the car with better acceleration and highway mpg.  Anyone installed one of these in a pre- 64 Caddy?

Not sure what bellhousing options exist.  (which is what the 59 starter bolts to of course)

Then you have the driveshaft/trans mount and shift indicator to deal with.

Ken Perry

When you use a adapter to put in a 700R or Th400 you have to run a little gear reduction starter! They sound like crap,not (Cadillac like) at all !!!  There is no  reason to get rid of the Jetaway! They are a good transmisions and once fixed will last a life time. And best of all its still Cadillac and original,no adapters! There are plenty of Jetaway parts out there,no reason to re-invent the wheel !          Ken Perry 
Cadillac Ken

druby

I'm on the East Coast and have a complete drivetrain for a 1959 Cadillac, I took it out of a running car w/68,000 mile on it and the car ran great, a tree toppled on the car and was totaled. It has been in storage in my garage for 2 years. It's a complete 390 engine and transmission. Asking $2000 for the complete drivetrain. Can call me at 301-343-1463 or email at Drubyflyaa@aol.com. I'm located in Maryland.

Dan Ruby
CLC Asst. Director
Potomac Region.
1949 Cadillac 4DR Sedan
1952 Cadillac Convertible
1953 Cadillac Coupe deVille
1958 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz
1959 Cadillac Fleetwood