First let me start by saying I don't know the rebuilder of the trans when owned by the previous owner. Since I've had it, I don't like the shift from 1st to 2nd. Playing with the kickdown linkage at the carb, I've learned that it effects the shift point of all gears. I improved the shift from 1st to 2nd tremendously but it now does not shift into 4th and find myself driving at 3000 rpms around town. Is there another linkage adjustment that I'm over looking?

 

Thanks for the info. I respect your knowledge but know that after reading both the 61 and 62 service manuals, there seems to be that one difference between the trannys. The 62 service manual explicitly defines 3rd as 1.56:1 AND 4th as 1:1. Go figure!

 

CW is right. That "shift" he mentions happens inside the torus within a few feet of the car getting rolling and is really no more than a redirection of oil for torque multiplication. There are only two true planetary and clutch gear ratio changes, and the 1st can be quite jarring. One of my 64s would actually stall the engine sometimes, the RPM drop was so drastic.

It's also telling that HydraMatic Division made nine valve body changes on this transmission in 1961-62 trying to get it to work smoother. They should have stuck with Jetaway as Cadillac did and as Pontiac did on their long-wheelbase cars.

As low an opinion as I have of Dynaflow, it was a better transmission than the Roto HydraMatic.

 

Thanks guys for the info. Another q., The speedometer doesn't work. Dash mech is ok for I spun it by hand and see that green wedge appear. Checked the cable , all is fine. Checked the driven gear and its fine as well. Felt for the drive gear and can feel nothing!! Can the gear be repaired without removing the tranny ?

Thanks,

 

You might have a 64 transmission in the car.
That speedo was driven from the left front wheel.
I have a 64 slim jim on the shelf and I had to install
the drive gear and tailpiece from a junk 61 so it will work in my 61 Starfire
should I ever need it.

Dave