Flightomatic transmission pan

[messerschmittfan]

Is there another transmission oil pan that will fit the Flightomatic transmission in my 1960 Hawk? It seems that this is an air-cooled transmission that could benefit from some of the aftermarket made aluminum pans to help cool the oil. Is there a way to hook up an external oil cooler to this transmission? Are there any other tips on keeping it cool? I am stationed in Germany (land of no speed limits) on the Autobahns so I will have to keep running at least 85 mph to keep from getting run over. Thanks Harry

[Roscomacaw]

Ya know, Harry - that's one tough transmission. And the fact that most of them from Studebaker WEREN'T fitted with an external cooler says alot.
I've never had a Flight-o-matic Stude with a cooler for the tranny and I've NEVER had a FoM failure of ANY kind - ever.

I'd say, if you were consistently towing something with your Hawk or were gonna cause it UNDUE stress (Which 85MPH isn't), you'd have call to worry.[:I]

Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS

[curt]

Could one glue AL strips on the bottom of the pan for better cooling ?

[messerschmittfan]

Thanks, I was just wondering if it needed a cooler as most modern cars with an automatic have one, the oil that I drained did not smell burnt and was fairly clean - most of the dirt had settled to the bottom - is the screen the only filter? Still learning, thanks Harry

[messerschmittfan]

Thanks, I was just wondering if it needed a cooler as most modern cars with an automatic have one, the oil that I drained did not smell burnt and was fairly clean - most of the dirt had settled to the bottom - is the screen the only filter? Still learning, thanks Harry

[MarkC]

I agree with Biggs that the Flighty is a stout unit. I just keep close tabs on the fluid and change it regularly.

Curt, glue would act as an insulator between the pan and whatever you were using as a heat sink, and would likely not be durable over the long term. Generally when I remove a pan, I just clean and straighten it, then spray it with a light coat of flat finish paint which, believe it or not, increases the radiant surface area a bit.

MarkC

MarkC, 64 Y8
Working in Spokane, WA

[Alan]

It should be the same as a 67-72 Ford Cruise-O-Matic with a cast iron case. Pick yourself up a Gil Younger Trans-Go SK3-67 shift kit and an old iron case cruise-o drill and tap the case put the Ford vacuum modulator in with the Ford valve body and 1st gear starts.