Hey everyone, I need a tutorial in 50s Olds transmissions.

My neighbor, who is also one of my best friends, says he had a 54 Olds 88 that had a Jetaway transmission. I've been looking around and all I can find is that the Jetaway came out in 56. Before that the trans was just called a Hydramatic.

Is there a difference between transmissions, besides the name, between the the 54, 55, and 56 88s?

My neighbor is old and decrepit and I thought a good way to cheer him up would be to get a 54(or a 55 or 56) 88 and fix it up to look like what he used to have. I want to find something that is as close to what he had as possible.

 

This quotes below are excerpted from this site:

http://oldsjunction.classicoldsmobil...sfaq/oftrn.htm

Olds used the "Dual Range Hydramatic in 1954, and 53."

Olds used the "Dual Coupling Jetaway Hydramatic" from 1956-1960. It came in two different flavors, with one model produced from 56-58, and the other from 59-60.


The first model production run was from 1956 to 1959, the second model ran from 1959 to 1960. Differences were minimal.

 

Thanks Jaunty!

 

Also, somewhere in this time frame, the transmission rear pump was eliminated and you could no longer start the car by pushing it. Only way to start was with the starter.
Sorry, i can't remember the exact yer this was done.
stetzie