66luvr

I admit I know nothing about these cars, they may not even have the same transmissions year to year. But I heard through the grapevine there is one coming up for sale in my area. I have never seen it. I may get a chance to see it first and will take pics if allowed.
But the question, What transmission do they use? Are these good or what? Is service/rebuild and parts available? If so what is the cost for a rebuild, generally? As I said, haven't seen it but I assume there is no way I could be lucky enough to find a manual trans car. I have heard bad stories about the Baby Buicks of the same years automatic transmissions, Dualpath I think, being not so good.


Thanks, Mike

jensenracing77

The good news is that the transmission is nothing close to the same as the Buick. The bad new is that this transmission still sucks... That being said, We had the one in our 62 Jetfire rebuilt and is working great. If all you want to do is make a nice car to drive around in then the transmission will be fine. It is not something that will take kindly to hot rodding.

If it has not been rebuilt I would say that it will likely need one soon. There are some guys out there that can rebuild them but not many. My transmission guy can rebuild them and is real good and trustworthy but he is in Spencer Indiana. If you ever do need one rebuilt be sure they find a correct NOS replacement governor for it. There were several governor updates for this transmission. The original was aluminum and the updates are cast iron.

The other bad news is that it is a MAJOR job to convert to any other transmission, automatic or manual.

jensenracing77

When it comes up for sale, if you don't buy it then post a link to it. I love seeing these cars.

66luvr

Thank you for the info, and I will keep the information up to date. Supposed to look at it in the morning.

joe_padavano

To expand a little, the 61-63 cars used the Rotohydramatic 5 trans. This is the only application for this trans. It is a three speed automatic with an internal fluid coupling (not a conventional torque converter). In first, the fluid coupling is first used then bypassed, similar to the switch pitch converters on the 64-67 cars, effectively producing "3.5" speeds. Despite the "4S" nomenclature, these are not four speed transmissions. What's really weird is that the fluid coupling is bypassed in second gear, so it's solidly connected to the engine. If you coast down in second, eventually the car starts lugging the same way that a manual trans does if you do the same thing. All-in-all, not one of GM's better automatics.

66luvr

I looked at the car this morning a little bit. The battery had enough juice to light the interior lighs dimly. We will go back and get the tires aired up and get it started so I can try it out. It has been painted, typical respray, didn't paint the jambs and also didn't tape them off, overspray in all the usual places. Looks like the carpet may have been replaced. Forgot to check mileage. The owner is in a rest home and the car is in her daughters name. Supposedly the car ran good and has no problems but hasn't been driven much for a few years. The air cleaner is present and looks like the rest of the engine bay, mostly untouched and never painted on.
Any thoughts or comments are welcome. If you have a thought as to worth with this little bit of information go ahead and post it.
Pictures.

redoldsman

Man, what a find. I would be all over that one.

joe_padavano

Wow, that's gorgeous!

jaunty75

$4500.

jensenracing77

With it being an f-85 it hurts it a little. At least it is a 2 door. If it will fire up and run and drive, I would agree with jaunty75. Around $4500 but that is as long as it is not full of filler from a 70's or 80's style paint job.

Just an FYI, The two things I find on these cars is that the radiator often needs recored and the transmissions need rebuilt.

64Rocket

Well it looks real good! it is a '62
Did you go back and what was the outcome?

Gene

66luvr

I did not buy it. The price was $4000.
I know the man who did buy it, and I heard from a mutual friend it had no oil pressure when they started it. I haven't heard anything else.