Transmission / Overdrive: Ford o matic dipstick tube?

[Rollinrollins73]

Hey everyone,

new to the forum but happy to be here! I’m in the process of restoring a 1956 studebaker president and needed a new transmission.. I dropped the old one out and swapped it with a 63 golden hawk that is supposedly a ford-o-matic transmission but oddly enough it has the plate of a stude. drove to Albuquerque to pick up. Here’s my dilemma, it didn’t come with the dipstick or tube! It’s the style that goes into the back of the pan and goes up to the front of the engine bay. Anyone have a part number? Or has anyone fabricated one before? I have access to a lot of different materials at work that I could fabricate with but I’d just need to know a couple things if I fabricate, how many quarts including the torque converter do I fill with type F? I’d be confident in making something work if I can’t find NOS or some sort of “universal” type at a part store.

thanks folks!

[StudeRich]

Welcome to the SDC and to the SDC Forum Steven!

You have a Cast Iron Case Borg Warner "Flight-O-Matic" Trans. it should have the P N D L R shift pattern and use a Second Gear Start, although it IS a THREE Speed, like early Fords.

By the way, a '63 Hawk would be a Gran Turismo Hawk, no Golden Hawks after 1958, however, most years COULD be ordered in GOLD!

Your best Bet is to wait for one of our amazingly Fast answering SDC Club Members here, to offer a good Used Flared Tube and the Special NUT and Brace Bracket you need.
Also you need the Dipstick!

You will have a pretty Hard time finding that Huge Nut.

Yes Valvoline Type "F" is My personal preference, others have had no problem using Dexron/Mercon ATF.

It would be tricky if making one to measure how much Fluid should read on the Stick when full because on an initial Fill, the fullness of the Converter, the Fluid sticking to all the Parts, filling the Control Valves, Servos, etc. will have an effect after started.

Here is how it looks installed in a '64 Lark Type Daytona, all my '63/'64 Hawk Pics are not deep enough into the Engine Compartment to see anything, and they are more cluttered with the Heater Core Box in the way, sorry.

UPDATE: OPPS! HOW did I miss the fact that we are working on a '56 President Sedan, NOT a Hawk! .

(1) It would take a Lark Type Filler Tube to fit a Sedan and,

(2) Your 1963 if it actually IS Transmission, would have a LONG Tail for a Slide-in Type Yoke for a One Piece Driveshaft.
Your Car needs a Short Tail Transmission that uses a Bolted Yoke, TWO Piece Driveshaft.

So we have to know what Year & Type the Trans. actually IS, without the seller's "Hearsay" info.

If it is not a Match, there ARE Ways to make it work, just More work and modifications are required.

[Rollinrollins73]

Studerich

thank you for the reply! I’m hopeful I can find one or even a part number, I looked on SI and couldn’t find anything for it. Unfortunately it’s the last part I need to drive the car and you and I both know it’s an itch only driving it will cure! 😂

thank you for the info! I’m very new to this hobby and being only 29 I’m going to have a lot of questions. I am a mechanical engineer by trade, and we have access to a lot of different materials because of the line of work we do. I believe I could find the right collar nut and have one of my guys fabricate me the tube, but the major challenge is definitely going to be making sure the level is right. As far as design goes, why in the world would BW think having the tube on the bottom would be a good idea?! I’m stumped on that personally.. I figured I’d add a picture of the beast I’m working to bring back from her slumber.

[Rollinrollins73]

Studerich,

it is indeed a long tail! And yes sir, already in the process of getting a new drive shaft made along with picking up a 28 spline slip yoke. Here’s the stamp of it helps?

[rockne10]

Someone with a '59-'64 Chassis Parts Catalog can find the part number you need for the tube and dipstick.
With those numbers you can check our major vendors inventories; but I suspect you will need one from a donor; then appeal to Studebaker salvage yards, of which untold numbers exist.
You've come to the right place to cast your net.

As a side note, my nephew and his wife live in Arvada.
Small world.

[StudeRich]

Ok, Steven, It's an AS10-5P. I have the CD ROM Disc with the '59 to '64 Studebaker Shop Manual, Chassis Parts Catalog and Body Parts Catalog that I sell for $25.00 loaded to my "C" Drive so here are your Part Numbers:

Lark Types:

Filler Tube & Nut, '61 &'62V, Except Hawk: 1550912

Filler Tube & Nut, '63 &'64V ALL: 1563095

Cap & Dipstick, '61-'64V Except '61 C Hawk Coupe: 1550918

Support , '61-'64V Except Hawk: 1550919


Hawk Models:

Filler Tube & Nut, '62V Hawk: 1554983
Filler Tube & Nut, '63/'64V Hawk: 1563095
Cap & Dipstick '61V Hawk: 1540915
Cap & Dipstick, '62-'64V Hawk: 1550918
Support, for a '62V Hawk: 1554981
Support, for a '63/'64V Hawk: 1560031
Locating Bracket, ALL with the 1554983 Tube: 1553453


All Years with a "V" indicates with V8 Engine, I did not list the "S" Model, Six Cylinder Cars.

Unfortunately, it IS a bit complicated & confusing, and no way to tell looking at the Parts, which are a match for each other, their Part Number or which year is best for a '56 Sedan, but Lark Type should work the Best.

You can see that Studebaker REALLY tried Hard to get things RIGHT, like the angle and slope of the Tube, that took FIVE Tubes for 6's and 8's!!
That is like their Driveshafts, the Lengths are shown in 64th's. of an Inch and only vary by a few.

Whew!! I had NO idea WHAT I was getting into! Who Knew? ...Well you DID Ask!

I do not have Any of these in Stock here at Studebakers Northwest, sorry.

[Corbinstein0]

Idiot question: is there a knockout where the original (56 style) could be put into the transmission?
I would think that it could look like a freeze plug. Just a possibility.

[Ron Dame]

I'm starting to wonder if they did not use an earlier pan that did not use the tube under the hood? Is there a rubber plate on the right side of the transmission tunnel? If so, the fluid is checked from within the car, engine warmed and in drive, not park.

[Ross]

With a 56 you will likely not be able to make a dipstick come up on the pass. side of the engine because of the heater equipment. Studes of that era with the underseat heater all had the short fill tube that stuck out the top of the case and was accessed through the floor. Look and see if there isn't a knockout on the case for using the fill tube from the old trans.

[Rollinrollins73]

Wow!

Thank you guys for the input overnight! I apologize, I go to bed pretty early and get into the office. From what I seen Sunday when I installed the long tail transmission, there is not a K/O for the dipstick tube on the "new" transmission. I'll double check when I get home! I took some time to look into old threads yesterday before posting and found one where a gentleman gave dimensons for a fill tube, however according to Ross I may not be able to do a fill tube up to the engine bay. Im not opposed to running a new tube to a spot i can fill with, but i have to get the fluid level right and just watch carefully for leaks before and while its parked and fill accordingly. I know there's an inherent risk of doing it this way but the transmission is rebuilt, new seals and new gaskets..
I'll double check there isn't a K/O but i dont recall seeing one.. Maybe its under the dust and dirt and ill clean it up and have a pleasant surprise.
on another note on SI i found a dipstick tube and dipstick that may work. Can anyone verify these part #'s for me? I am struggling to find a diagram or info on these..
FOM dipstick tube 1554238
FOM dipstick 1554224

Thanks again!

[StudeRich]

FOM Dipstick Tube 1554238 is for a '63S or '64S Six Cyl. Lark Type.
FOM Dipstick 1554224 is for a '63S or '64S Six Cyl. Lark Type.

These are both for the lightweight Aluminum Case AS8-35 Trans. for the Six, BUT it takes the SAME Oil Pan! So there is a small chance it could work or be Made to work.

It would need to have the Oil Level marked on the Stick when the Proper amount of Oil is installed.

That explains why they are still around in NOS condition ! A Two Year Only, Trans. for a Six, after the first 825 '63S Models.

Of course I have not tried this trick, but I don't think the Air Duct and Water Hoses for the Climatizer will be in the way.

[az64stude]

I may have a tube with nut and dipstick. Are you wanting to go with the 63-64 tube type for hawk? I think that's your only option unless you swap transmission with an older style case/housing.

[Rollinrollins73]

AZ64stude

that would definitely be ideal for this transmission.. unfortunately it’s either I use the one I picked up or I rebuild and refresh the original short tail transmission. If you do have an extra, I would be willing to pay for the part and shipping.

[Hallabutt]

My vote is rebuild what you have and start over. Both you and the next owner will be pleased that you did it right. Been there done the that long ago, never again!

[Rollinrollins73]

Figured id give everyone an update.
Lucky for me my brother has a friend who ended up having a fill tube that I'm looking for! Got very lucky having a junk yard nearby that does classics and orphan brand vehicles. Next will be getting a driveshaft fabricated OR reusing the two piece and getting 7 inches cutoff. Has anyone done a two piece? Id like to keep the one that was on it because its in great condition and I'm 80% sure the previous owner replaced this because it was the only part under the car that was not rusted that was exposed. What are my options for the driveshaft? should i keep the two piece and get it cut to length OR just pony up and have a new one fabricated?

[StudeRich]

Personal choice I guess but I prefer the 2 Piece for less twist and possible Vibration for a 120 Inch W/B car.
A Custom Two Piece Shaft will require a Special Driveshaft & 4X4 Specialty Shop conversion Yoke with a splined Slip Joint to "U" Joint Flange and slide into the Trans. end.