1950s 1955 transmission options.

[jwwseville60]

Has anyone put a TH350 or equivalent behind a 1955 331?
My Hydramatic is a brutal "slam" shifter.
Id love a smoother experience.
What about the later and smoother 1959-62 Hydramatic?
Thanks.

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

Id just make sure your Hydramatic is adjusted correctly.
You do feel the shifts, but it shouldn't slam. More than likely it is the kickdown rod out of adjustment.  Just a little bit makes a big difference.
But, it's your car.  If you do decide to change it, go with whatever has the least modifications and keep the original transmission and hardware for the next owner.

It won't shift like a modern transmission, but it shouldn't slam either.

[Cadillac Jack 82]

55 did this to me too.  TV rod was WAY out of adjustment.  Should be smooth and barely noticeable.

[Big Fins]

Getting the adjustment just right can take a lot of time. a 1/4 turn on the trunion nuts can make all the difference in the world. It is that sensitive. Do a basic setting by the book, then tweak it to your cars liking.

[TJ Hopland]

I know one area that really screws up these transmissions is if the carb isn't working right or doesn't have the exact right linkage.  Its expecting a certain performance change for a very specific amount of rod movement.  IF what ever carb it is or something else on the engine isn't performing the trans isn't gonna be responding right.  Same thing if its not the original carb with the correct original linkage.  IF the geometry is off on the arms its gonna be moving the cable at a different rate than expected. 

I can never keep these things straight, which one we talking about here?   What was the year spread?  The only one I know a little was the 57 and that was more or less a dual 2 speed.  You don't really feel the 1-2 or the 3-4 but the 2-3 you feel because that's when both sections have to shift and if the pressures are off so things are out of time you can really feel it.



It does look like there is an adapter kit to go to the classic Chev bellhousing design.

https://transmissionadapters.com/collections/cadillac/products/1954-and-up-cadillac-365-to-chevy-automatic

[jwwseville60]

Id like to keep it hydramatic.
Will a 1960-62 version work?
Those are smooth & refined.

[Cadillac Jack 82]

Id like to keep it hydramatic.
Will a 1960-62 version work?
Those are smooth & refined.

Not sure without some adapter or modifications.  The 55 I had would shift smoothly and easily punch to 85 without issue.  Its all about condition of the transmission and the adjustments to the TV rod.

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

Id like to keep it hydramatic.
Will a 1960-62 version work?
Those are smooth & refined.

Again it depends on how you define Refined.
The 55 hydramadic will shift pretty smoothly when setup properly, and if you run it reasonably. Mine is nice and smooth but I do feel is shift into 1st at a stop, and it is a little rough if I romp on it.
I'd check the kickdown rod as said earlier. Do you have the correct carb on it?
Also look at your engine and trans mounts. If those are bad then if will stumble and clunk.

What exactly is yours doing?

[jwwseville60]

Original carb rebuilt.
Ill check all the other things.
Thanks.