I need to replace the flywheel that goes on the torque converter of my '49 Olds 76. It has the Big Six engine with the original Hydramatic. As I understand it, the torque converter for the six and V8 are not interchangeable. I don't know that for a fact,
Bob

 

Can you have yours rebuilt? Not sure how hard these are to find but I would guess it is not easy. If it is anything like newer ones I know they can rebuild them.

 

Actually, all I need is the ring gear. It is badly worn on one side, and it can't be flipped around because of the way it's machined. There is someone willing to build up the worn teeth at $5.00 a tooth (100 teeth?). I'd rather find a new one, or one not so badly worn.
Thanks.
Bob

 

According to the parts book it is a fact.
The flywheel , part number 8609555 is listed for 49 & 50 6 cylinder models . With Hydra-matic.
It also lists the same part number for 1948 all models with Hydra-matic.
V-8 models carry a different part number.

 

Thanks for that, but is that the number for the complete flywheel assembly or just the ring gear?
By assembly I mean both the ring gear and the torus plate.

 

Bill Ehrsam in Sylvania Ohio, Frank Graf in Westfield Center Ohio. One of these guys will have a six cyl hydra-matic flywheel for you. There are others if you strike out.

Use all your existing fluid coupling parts. Fusick or any of the vintage transmission suppliers such as Fatsco in NJ or Northwest Transmission Supply in Ohio or David Edwards will have the gaskets you will need, which is critical to leak free result. One gasket on crankshaft flange, another large gasket on torus cover. Use something like Permatex copper spray or red spray high-tack only. No tube silicone or Permatex #5, you will regret it if you try any of that stuff. Replacing the front seal in the transmission involves breaking down the fluid coupling to get at it, but it is a great peace of mind job especially if the car has sat any length of time. Front seal leaks on unrebuilt hydra-matic is fairly common. Best of luck ~

 

The number is for the complete flywheel assembly Group # 0.666 .
It would include the ring gear .
The ring gear was not listed separately.

 

As far as I know the transmission shop has all the parts they need to rebuild the tranny. It's only the ring gear he can't find.
I looked up the two names you mentioned in Ohio. One refers me to a gentleman that owns a concrete business. Mr. Graf, the other, is listed as a gentleman in his 70's. Could these be the people you refer to? I'll have to research their phone numbers.
I did find a torus plate with ring gear listed with CARiD that slightly resembles what I need, but it's not identical. What's confusing is that they describe the part for a '49 Olds 76 with "LS" engine. I know this to be a later model Chevy engine. Is this also an Olds engine designation?
Thanks.
Bob

 

OK glad to hear a shop has it handled for you. LS = L SIX, L indicating 'inline', Yes those two guys are those who likely have what you seek. No real need to screw around replacing the ring gear, flywheels for these engines are not all that hard to come by - Good luck - CW

 

The one listed by CARiD is incorrect so I called Bill Ehrsam. He had 145 tooth ring gears, but we need 160 tooth. Bill called Frank Graf, whom he knows very well, and fortunately Frank has the correct one. What a relief!
Hopefully I'll have one for my tranny by the end of the week.
Thanks CW.
Bob

 

As usual, I found out a few things with my thread. First thing I learned is that this 1949 Hydra-Matic does not have a torque converter. It uses fluid coupling via fluid pumps.
Second, Hydra-Matic does not have a ring gear like the one on a standard transmission. The ring gear is still 145 tooth, but it's part of the torus plate and it's machined as one piece. I could be wrong but it sure looked like one piece.
Third, this particular flywheel is not easy to find, and those that may have one don't readily want to part with it.
I decided to use my old flywheel. The teeth are worn down on it, but no chipped or broken teeth. For the one or two thousand miles a year I expect to drive this car, I think it will be OK. I'm hoping car will be running tomorrow.
Brakes, dampeners, and steering box are next.

 

The shop finally got my '49 coupe 76 running again, Kicks great into all four gears instead of the 2-3 gears previously. But it still has a lingering shift problem. The transmission will shift in and out of reverse when the engine is off, but it is a bitch to shift in and out of reverse when the engine is running. Mechanic is thinking it's something hydraulic and seriously thinking of removing the tranny to check the torus plate again. He used the old worn out because I couldn't find a new or good used one. Any suggestions on the shifting?

 

[QUOTE=Oldsr4me;922080]The shop finally got my '49 coupe 76 running again, Kicks great into all four gears instead of the 2-3 gears previously. But it still has a lingering shift problem. The transmission will shift in and out of reverse when the engine is off, but it is a bitch to shift in and out of reverse when the engine is running. Mechanic is thinking it's something hydraulic and seriously thinking of removing the tranny to check the torus plate again. He used the old worn out because I couldn't find a new or good used one. Any suggestions on the shifting?[/QUOTE

I too have a '49 but mine is an 88 with Hydramatic trans...you probably know that you must have the engine running at slow idle and put the trans in lo or hi and wait til its fully engaged for forward drive before you attempt to engage reverse? This make the trans seem hard to shift into reverse....GM changed the later Hydros so you could shift directly into reverse without waiting for forward gear to engage... Good luck!

 

[QUOTE=kad36;970369]Thanks, the car is finally shifting well, and I can even get it to "kick down" if I'm at the right speed.
You are correct, the Hydro does have it's idiosyncrasies, but I am getting used to it. Right now my biggest concerns are replacing the horns, and making the hand brake hold the car from rolling down the driveway without shifting the transmission into REVERSE.
Bob