QuestionI acquired this car from my dad and I drove it down from Seattle to Gilbert AZ a few weeks ago. It developed a exhaust leak. Well any way, I decided to take it to a shop this morning to go have it fixed and that’s when the transmission stopped shifting into any gear higher than low. So I had a fun drive back home at a cool speed of 20mph. So to my question. Can this tranny be replaced, is this auto transmission easy to replace? It has had a history of problems according to my dad.
AnswerWhile this particular transmission might have given trouble in the past, they are generally not known as troublesome transmissions. The same transmission was used from 1958 to mid-1964, so there are plenty of sources of parts for these.
Your problem could be a simple linkage problem, especially if the throttle control rod became disconnected, so the trouble may not be as serious as you fear.
Somewhere near you is a transmission shop that is privately owned (Most especially NOT one of the chain operations that advertises on TV). The mechanics will be surly older guys with gray hair and grease under their fingernails - and if they have been in business at least 30 years, they will be somewhat familiar with this transmission. Don't be put off by girly calendars on the walls, dirty restrooms, or a floor that needs sweeping - just evaluate the place as an old fashioned garage. Take the car there after first checking the shop out to see if the place meets my qualifications.
Drive the car in and ask them to check it out - you might be surprised at how easy it is to get it fixed. If they are concerned about wasting their time chasing parts because the car is old, tell them that if they give you the list of parts needed, you will obtain the parts to save them the trouble.
The mechanic's labor guide says it takes 2.9 hours to R&R the transmission, plus 10 hours to overhaul it - so you should be looking at a worst case of $1000 to get it fixed - not counting parts. Parts are available from many sources - but Dave Edwards in Massachusetts is probably the best bet for a complete kit, if it needs a major rebuild (which I doubt).His phone: 1-781-449-2065 Evenings (6 PM to Midnight)
Good luck - that is a beautiful car, and well worth keeping original.
As for replacing the transmission with a newer type, I don't advise that at all - you will have to completely re-engineer the linkage, the shift quadrant and the driveline, and find an adapter to put between the engine and the transmission. You are very likely to wind up with a car that vibrates, shifts at odd times, and doesn't perform as well as it did originally.
Dick
