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1940s Hydramatic Valve Body Removal

Started by TMoore - NTCLC, May 20, 2016, 10:13:10 AM

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TMoore - NTCLC

I am thinking about taking out the Hydramatic valve body from my 1942 Series 67 and cleaning it up on the advice of several posters, and the manual.  My question is, has anybody done this while the transmission is in the car?  I took a look underneath, and it appears that the side cover is pretty close the X-frame, and I am wondering if there is enough clearance to get the side cover off, and remove the valve body while in the car.

If anyone has done this, or has suggestions on the best route to take, please let me know -

Thanks in advance -

gary griffin

#1
Tod, since your car is running have you considered a flushing while operating?  I know nothing about automatics but have heard of doing that? Glad to see you are working on your car by the way.
Gary Griffin

1940 LaSalle 5029 4 door convertible sedan
1942 Cadillac 6719 restoration almost complete?
1957 Cadillac 60-special (Needs a little TLC)
2013 Cadillac XTS daily driver

Steve Passmore

I have done this several times Tod while trying to sort out the problems I had with my hydro. The cover and the valve comes off easily while still in the car.
Steve

Present
1937 60 convertible coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe
1941 62 coupe

Previous
1936 70 Sport coupe
1937 85 series V12 sedan
1938 60 coupe
1938 50 coupe
1939 60S
1940 62 coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe x2
1941 61 coupe
1941 61 sedan x2
1941 62 sedan x2
1947 62 sedan
1959 62 coupe

TMoore - NTCLC

Thanks Steve - good to know it is doable.

Seem to have an issue in high-gear - too much "drag" - in other words, if I am going down the road at 50 m.p.h., and take my foot off the accelerator, it is like it is using the engine as a brake, and slowing way down.  I know that Doug Houston always suggested that cleaning the valve body is one of the first steps.  Otherwise, the transmission shifts nice, no apparent slipping, and everything else is good, but it just does not seem like I should have as much drag in high gear (does not seem to affect lower gears).  I have replaced all of the seals, and changed out the fluid multiple times, but something just does not seem right in high.  I have driven other (post war) flatheads with hydramatic, and never noticed this in other cars.

I have the side cover gasket and may undertake this in the near future.  Steve, I may circle back around to you if I run into more questions.

Again - many thanks

wbdeford

There are enough differences in post war Hydramatics vs pre-war that the kits are different, so you might want to check with some other people who have driven both to verify that what you are experiencing is not normal.
1958 Sedan de Ville

Past:
1956 Fleetwood 75 Sedan
1957 Fleetwood 60 Special
1958 Miller-Meteor Futura Landau Duplex
1960 Coupe de Ville
1966 De Ville Convertible
1970 De Ville Convertible
1971 Eldorado Convertible
1979 Sedan de Ville
1980 Seville

Bobby B

Todd,
4th gear is direct drive, possibly a pressure problem within the governor...
                                                                                    Bobby
1947 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Coupe
1968 Mustang Convertible
1973 Mustang Convertible
1969 Jaguar E-Type Roadster
1971 Datsun 240Z
1979 H-D FLH

wbdeford

Bobby, if it's a pressure problem, wouldn't it be slipping back to 3rd rather than engine braking?
1958 Sedan de Ville

Past:
1956 Fleetwood 75 Sedan
1957 Fleetwood 60 Special
1958 Miller-Meteor Futura Landau Duplex
1960 Coupe de Ville
1966 De Ville Convertible
1970 De Ville Convertible
1971 Eldorado Convertible
1979 Sedan de Ville
1980 Seville

Bobby B

Bill,
Hi..Sounds like the front band is not releasing all the way, due to the governor pressure on the 3rd to 4th shifter valve. Maybe the relief between the small and large ends of the double transition valve is not fully releasing the front brake band. Could be as simple as taking the valve body out and making sure all the valves are moving freely.
                                                                                                     Bobby
1947 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Coupe
1968 Mustang Convertible
1973 Mustang Convertible
1969 Jaguar E-Type Roadster
1971 Datsun 240Z
1979 H-D FLH

TMoore - NTCLC

Thanks All -

Not fully releasing 3rd is exactly what it feels like - even though there is a positive shift into 4th, there is still a drag on it as if it was still engaged in 3rd.  I would love to think it is as simple as cleaning up the valve body.  I will keep you posted once I get into it.


Steve Passmore

Go careful dismantling that valve body. There are many, many small intricate parts that have to go back in sequence and be clinically clean.
Steve

Present
1937 60 convertible coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe
1941 62 coupe

Previous
1936 70 Sport coupe
1937 85 series V12 sedan
1938 60 coupe
1938 50 coupe
1939 60S
1940 62 coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe x2
1941 61 coupe
1941 61 sedan x2
1941 62 sedan x2
1947 62 sedan
1959 62 coupe