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Well Chris, I'm glad you asked. The hydramatic 4 speed auto did indeed have 4 forward speeds, however, 4th gear was 1:1.From memory, it was in use in (US) Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles from 1958 to 1964 (They may have started earlier, but they finished in '64).They didn't have a convential torque converter like a T/H400 or powerglide and as such, 1st gear was very low. On the couple of cars I've driven with that trans fitted, they changed from 1st through 3rd gear pretty quickly and then took their time to get into 4th.As far as Pontiacs were concerned (probably the same for Olds too), prior to '64, the starter motor was mounted on the trans bell housing, so you couldn't put a more modern trans in your car with the original engine. However, in 1964, in Bonnevilles and GTOs only, the engine blocks were machined to take the block mounted starter, even though they still had the starter on the trans (Catalinas, Grand Prix, etc didn't get that until 1965). I don't know why the Bonnevilles got the provision for the block starter, but the GTO needed it for the auto trans they use which is call the Super Turbine 300 (it's a 2 speed auto that a lot of people refer to as a powerglide - but they're not related). It required a block mounted starter.There was also a 3 speed auto that models like the Catalina used. It's commonly used name is the 'Slim Jim' - why, I don't know. It also used a bell housing starter.It was a lucky thing that the '64 Bonneville had the block starter, at least lucky for me. I had a '64 Bonny for many years (only a 389, but options loaded - including power vent windows). When we got the car, it had no trans, but my Dad built a T/H400 for it, as well as making a cross member and tailshaft to suit.
.............(yes, go ahead, Pontiacs are tractors ha ha beat you to it!).
Chris,Boxing gloves for them bigblocks with the excuse book :pat:Block like yourself is happy with what he has.
How the hell do you do that on 205/70/14s???
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