Transmission / Overdrive: Transmision swap 1950 comander 3 speed manual to Automatic transmision.

[jerry becker]

I want to buy a 1950 comander convertible and have someone install a automatic transmision. I have bad knees. Transmision avaiability ? Too dificult ? Too expensive ?

[PackardV8]

I want to buy a 1950 comander convertible and have someone install a automatic transmision. I have bad knees. Transmision avaiability ? Too dificult ? Too expensive ?

Jerry, it's just time and money, but it takes one down a slippery slope. It would be easy to suggest, since the better automatic transmissions come from later vehicles with better engines, why not transplant both? Then, a 12-volt system would become necessary and then faster engine needs better brakes.

Since you suggest you wouldn't be doing the work yourself, begin with a budget. "If one has $X,000, for the project, what automatic transmission swap would be best?"

jack vines

[Buzzard]

My vote for something more modern and affordable would be the GM Turbo Hydramatic 350 and 400. I love the ratios of the 400 in particular and they are both practically bullet proof. A point to remember is they usually are Chevrolet engine bolt pattern or BOP (Buick, Oldsmobile or Pontiac) pattern.
Seeing as Jerry is in Vancouver, Washington he is not all that far away from me and I just happen to have a complete motor, transmission and rear end originally destined for a project of mine which didn't make it to fruition.
I purchased this as a package so a car comes with it including a power steering and air conditioned, disc brake front clip. Seeing as it is an Oldsmobile, all the parts are heavier duty than standard Chevrolet similar examples.
It is a 1977 Oldsmobile 88 with a 403 Oldsmobile motor and is a very complete car which produces gobs of torque and has my preference, the Turbo 400. Think of how a whole car solves so many problems/issues in your project.
Google Maps shows 444 miles and approximately 8.0 hours trip.
Bring a trailer!
Cheers,
Bill

[BRUCESTUDE]

Jerry- I am in the process doing the opposite of what you want; converting a ‘51 Commander from automatic to manual. As I have a couple parts cars, I have most of what I needed, but it is a chore: replacing cross member, steering column, adding clutch pedal and related mechanics. Studebaker did provide automatic drive in mid-50, so they may be out there! The Detroit Gear automatics are very good transmissions, BTW.

[RadioRoy]

If you replace an overdrive manual transmission with an automatic transmission, you will have to replace the rear axle with a different ratio. Either that, or install a modern automatic transmission with built in overdrive.

[PackardV8]

The one question we'd have to know is does the Commander 6-cylinder share the same bell housing bolt pattern as the Studebaker V8?

Yes, Detroit Gear transmissions were excellent in their later iterations; Jaguar, for one, used them for many years. Has anyone ever seen a DG behind a Commander six?

jack vines

[Hallabutt]

IMO it would be better to pass on the car and wait for one that will become available optioned the way you want it to be. While I like the Commander Six, I think it functions best with a standard with OD. A 1951 with a V8 might be a better choice than the 1950. These are not rare or seldom seen, and come up regularly. If you are worried about loosing the 50 you could buy it to hedge your bet and, trade or sell at a later date. I believe that is what I would do, buy the car and take it slow. I mean no disrespect to Bruce or anyone who wants to make the swap, but I think it is a bit of a reach to change something that isn't broken. Only you can answer the question as to whether you are up for the challenge.

[StudeRich]

(1) Yes '50 Commander and Land Cruiser 245 Sixes could be ordered with the DG Automatic Trans.

(2) The Block Bolt Pattern on both Sixes IS way different than a Stude. V8.

Quite a few Land Cruisers had them.

[PackardV8]

Those who know the DG transmissions, (not me, fer sure) I've been told the later versions were preferrable. Could our OP find a '50 Commander automatic bell housing, driveshaft and rear axle and then use a DG250 transmission?


Borg Warner - Detroit Gear 250 Transmission - The Studebaker Automatic Drive transmission was - and is - one very fine transmission. Automatic Drive was a joint effort of Studebaker and Borg-Warner (Detroit Gear Division). The transmission allows the driver to switch from torque converter-gear drive to direct drive and back again at any speed between 18 mph and 58 mph. Above 58, the torque converter is always locked out, below 18 it is always locked in. One criticism often voiced against automatic transmissions is that they deprive the driver of choice. That this isn't true of the Studebaker/Borg- Warner drive is shown by the following description of what happens when the selector lever is in the drive position. It's also eloquent proof that motorists must understand their transmissions to get the most out of them. "At the moment of starting, with the selector lever at "D," the power train is through the torque converter and intermediate gear. Starting torque ratio in the transmission (not counting the advantage of rear-axle ratio) is 3.08 to 1, or more than three turns of the engine crankshaft for every turn of the propeller shaft. Automatic shifts from intermediate gear to direct drive occur within the following limits, depending on speed, throttle position and load:
1. Starting with a very light accelerator depression, the transmission shifts from intermediate to direct at about 18 mph.
2. Starting with full throttle (not depressed past the kick-down abutment on the floor-board), the transmission shifts into direct at about 35 mph.
3. Starting with any accelerator depression between between light and full throttle, the transmission shifts into direct between 18 and 35 mph, depending on accelerator position.
4. Starting with full throttle and accelerator depressed past the kick- down point, the shift into direct drive occurs at about 58 mph.
5. Coasting in direct with accelerator released, the transmission downshifts into intermediate gear plus converter at 12 mph.
6. Direct drive may be over-ruled to provide added torque available in intermediate by depressing the throttle to the kick-down point at any speed below 50 mph.

jack vines

[jerry becker]

As a novice, I had no idea of the complexity of the question, The best I can get out of my question is I should buy a 1951 comander with a automatic already in place, that being easer said than done. Also to find a 50 or51 convertible with a automatic is double the price of a manual shift. I will keep looking, I thank you for all the great information.

[Videoranger]

Finding one as you like it would be best approach and probably less costly.

[RadioRoy]

Also to find a 50 or51 convertible with a automatic is double the price of a manual shift. I will keep looking, I thank you for all the great information.

That is an interesting shift (no pun intended) in priorities.

Not so many years ago, the overdrive transmission cars were in demand and it seemed like few people wanted an automatic, particularly an early design automatic. Now the automatic transmission cars are fetching a premium over overdrive cars, you say? Interesting.

Be aware that a 50 Commander had the 245 cubic inch six, while the 51 Commander had the new 232 V-8.

[mbstude]

You’d be better off to buy a car equipped the way you want it.

BTW, I have a friend looking for an overdrive equipped 1950 Commander convertible. He wants a nice one and will pay a premium for the right car.

Roy - Overdrive equipped ‘50-‘51 Studes are still much more desirable than the same cars with an automatic; very few people want to deal with the DG transmissions.

[RadioRoy]

Roy - Overdrive equipped ‘50-‘51 Studes are still much more desirable than the same cars with an automatic;

That's always been my opinion, too.

[Ross]

Just a footnote: I got to drive a friend's 50 Landcruiser with Automatic Drive extensively and found it a very satisfactory setup in terms of acceleration from a standstill, smoothness of upshift and highway cruising. Way more pleasing than driving a contemporary "3-jerk" Hydramatic. Of course, I am a sucker for anything with that delightful big six in it.

Now I am driving around in a 53 Commander and can say pretty much the same regarding the trans. My only complaint with the DG is that when you select low for a steep descent it is way more reduction than I want.