gearbox question

[bob_hawke]

ive got an old original hydramatic auto on a 179 red motor thats seems to be due for a major rebuild, as it flares constantly between gears and takes waaaay to long to choose gears.
is there anything to look out for or be aware of if i choose to replace it with a trimatic auto  of a similar vintage?

any info would be greatly appreciated.
cheers

[Dave_EH]

Bob,

As far as I know any trimatic is as good as another, however the later commodore ones had the linkges on the left hand side and these are imcompatible with the column shift - you need the linkages on the right hand side.

If you are still planning on hotting up your motor a little you could keep your eye out for a tricked up trimatic with say a 1500rpm stall converter and a mild shift kit.

These come up from time to time.

Other than that a two speed powerglide is also an option - they are almost indestructible but don't offer as good fuel economy as a trimatic.

Try searching this topic under some of RETs posts, he changed from a powerglide to a triamtic a while back.

[RET]

Dave's exactly right: you can't kill a PG with an axe, but they are pretty hard on your fuel economy, and your brakes (since you have no engine braking to speak of).

I've still got the PG, and would be happy to find a new home for it, but I doubt it would be worth your while getting it to Brisvegas.

cheers
RET

[bob_hawke]

thanks a lot for the info RET and dave,

im keen to keep a hydramatic in there for originality's sake, but trimatics seem to be everywhere.

i think ill have to see how much work has to be done on the original 'box and go from there. at least i now have some other options.

thanks again