Hi guys

I recently figured out that my '55 super 88 had a motor swap sometime in the last 58 years to a '56 motor. I know that the jetaway and the slant pan hydra matic were both available in '56, so i wanted you guys with your expertise to inform me as to which transmission i have.

the car is not running or driving yet so i can't test to see if there is a "Park". I attached pictures of the trans, but i'm happy to take any other pics you may need to help me visually ID it

Pics of the transmission:







Secondly, when i hook up the battery and turn on the ignition, my N D L R indicator hangs in the middle straight down and does not move with the shifter. I looked under the hood and found what looks to be the electric indicator. It is not attached to any linkages and if i try to manually move it, i can't.

Is it stuck? broken? missing parts? should i be able to move it by hand?

Here is the pic of what i think is the NDRL shift indicator:


Thanks guys
Ben

 

Find the serial number plate. It should be orange. On the Hydra-Matic it should be on the lower left rear corner of the case. On the Jetaway it should be the left side of the case behind the levers. The Hydra-Matic's number will begin with R55 followed by a dash, then followed by a serial number. The Jetaway's will begin with 056 followed by a dash, then followed by a serial number. Your photos remind me of the one in my '55 which is original, but the tag should tell the story.

 

I got a couple good pictures of it from behind last night. I can definitely see now the "Slant Pan" that people have talked about, as well as the ID tag






So i do have a 55 hydra matic!

 

Can anyone help me with the electric indicator? can you tell me what part needs to move on mine? perhaps take a picture of yours with the linkage so i can figure it out?

Thanks!

 

The photo which you provided is correct. It is the switch which controls the electric shift indicator on the dashboard. Wires #1 (gray), #2 (green), and #3 (white) are for the shift indicator. This switch is a multipurpose switch. It also is a neutral start safety switch. The large (12 ga.) purple wires (#4 & #5) are for the neutral start control. The switch also feeds the power to the backup lamps when the transmission is in reverse through #6 (black). The yellow wire (B+) is the power for the switch. It feeds through a 9 amp fuse in the fuse block under the dash which also feeds the fuel and temperature gauges. If the +12V is absent none of these will function (check the fuse). If you have a shop manual for the car look on page 13-46; there is a wiring diagram which is color coded. On pages 13-10 and 13-11 there is a troubleshooting procedure for the Hydra-Matic indicator. It is too extensive for me to cover it here. If you don't have the shop manual and plan to keep the car, you should get it. It will answer a lot of questions and help working on it. Be careful if you work on the switch. Part of it is bakelite and will not tolerate force without breaking.