1950s Strange damage

[Roger Zimmermann]

Recently I had to rescue a '57 Hydramatic: a guy overhauled it himself; drove well right after installation but the behavior was strange and inconsistent the more he drove the car. I had the "pleasure" to discover why...At first, I found that the bolt holding the front oil pump was loose. Enough to create issues?
Then, I saw that the seals for the rear clutch were not replaced; the larger one broke during removal. Before to install it, I had the idea to look into the front oil pump: it was the ah, ah moment! The slide or race for the pump was broken. It's the first time I'm seeing that. Then, the vanes for the rotor were not steel, but like ceramic and badly damaged. It's the second time I'm seeing such vanes; the first one was for a 1960 transmission I finished one month ago. Fortunately, I had a slide and vanes coming from a defective transmission and I installed those parts.
Finally, the reverse booster plug was installed upside down, not allowing the pressure regulator to adjust the oil pressure. Did that mishappen contributes to let crack the slide?
The owner pick-up his transmission this morning; I hope I did not forget something!

[Dave Shepherd]

These transmissions were not for an amateur  to fool with. Back in the day, Cadillac's flat rate labor book time was 12.5 hrs, including  r and i, this assumed the valve was gone thru. This was for an experienced Cadillac mechanic in a dealership.

[Roger Zimmermann]

Well, I agree with you. However, the first one I overhauled more than 30 years ago was succesfully rebuilt, but I was at that time a 100% amateur! Now, after 30 to 35 rebuilts, I'm unable to do the work in 12.5 hours. The most consuming time is cleaning the parts and my working place is far away to be the more efficient for such a job.

[Dave Shepherd]

Well done Roger, did you have a lift and trans jack?

[V63]

You are most patient and determined...I doubt there are any others  more dedicated!

[Roger Zimmermann]

Well done Roger, did you have a lift and trans jack?

No. I'm getting the transmissions for overhauling when they are removed from the car(s).
When I did the job the first time, it was for my '56 Sedan de Ville. I worked at that time with the car on jacks. I was younger then!

[Roger Zimmermann]

You are most patient and determined...I doubt there are any others  more dedicated!

The more older those transmission are getting, the more strange things happen to them. If I want to keep my local reputation, I have to be patient and determined! I may also do some errors sometimes...