62CUTLASSINKEYWEST

help! i'm trying to locate a '62 olds cutlass f-85 convertible auto (hydramatic) transmission for a friend in florida. i spoke to a parts locator, who found only 2 in the country available (thru salvage yards). one for a '62, the other for a '63. he read in some parts book that the two years are interchangeable, which i find hard to believe, given the different body styles. could someone on here pls. let me know if this is the case. he did say that if i were to put a '63 transmission into a '62 that it would need different rear brg's and retainers. i'm by no means a mechanic. would that be difficult (particularly for a non-transmission expert located in key west, fl!)
thanks SO much!
best,
jimmy

joe_padavano

Don't let the different styling fool you. The 61-63 cars are basically the same. All are 112" wheel base and (believe it or not) are based on the Corvair platform. The Tempest actually used the Covair transaxle with a front mounted engine. The Olds and Buick versions were conventional front engine and trans. The 63 transmission will work fine.

62CUTLASSINKEYWEST

thanks, joe...i've been told that the '62 (and '63) olds' auto (hydramatic) transmissions were 3 spd. i hope that's right, as well...thanks again! best, jimmy