62 GT Hawk tranny, need cooling?

[John Brayton]

Hi All,

I'm using a 62 Hawk engine and automatic tranny in the 53 commander project. I understand that year tranny did not have a cooler. Have any of you experienced heating issues with that tranny?

Regards,

[Aussie Hawk]

Hi All,

I'm using a 62 Hawk engine and automatic tranny in the 53 commander project. I understand that year tranny did not have a cooler. Have any of you experienced heating issues with that tranny?

Regards,

The tranny in my '62 Hawk runs pretty hot, especially in our sub tropical summers, but it's never let me down. From discussions I've had with old trannys mechanics running hot is par for course for those older type boxes, but it doesn't effect them.

[jcluvsu]

Hi All,

I'm using a 62 Hawk engine and automatic tranny in the 53 commander project. I understand that year tranny did not have a cooler. Have any of you experienced heating issues with that tranny?

Regards,

May I suggest that you install an aftermarket cooler and then you have one less thing to worry about. You could probably do it for about a hundred bucks...inclucing the tubing.

Better safe than sorry.

[StudeRich]

That would be a very difficult task requiring a nearly complete teardown to Install, since Air Cooled Borg Warner Trans. Cases do not have the proper in and out pressure ports, tubing, fittings etc.

To have Oil cooling, on a Flight-O-Matic, you need a H.D. Transmission from a : Truck, Taxi, Police, early Supercharged Car or late Avanti/Jet Thrust Car.

[studegary]

They were designed to be air cooled. Just don't alter the air intake and change the fluid every year.
When I installed later V8s in 1953-1954s, I preferred to use a 1955 automatic.

[jackb]

change the fluid every year ? a bit overkill/wasteful... ???

[rockne10]

Original service recommendation from Borg Warner was drain and refill every 15,000 miles or once a year. I'm certain we all did that religiously.

Okay, ...we didn't and, probably, suffered few consequences.

Original fluid was 10W premium engine oil. Modern Dexron/Mercon is a far superior transmission lubricant. I would feel comfortable running a bit more than recommended between flush and fill.

[studegary]

change the fluid every year ? a bit overkill/wasteful... ???

Considering the cost and effort to rebuild a DG 250M, I always thought that a little fluid was cheap.

[studegary]

Original service recommendation from Borg Warner was drain and refill every 15,000 miles or once a year. I'm certain we all did that religiously.

Okay, ...we didn't and, probably, suffered few consequences.

Original fluid was 10W premium engine oil. Modern Dexron/Mercon is a far superior transmission lubricant. I would feel comfortable running a bit more than recommended between flush and fill.

The 1953 "Studebaker Automatic Drive" booklet says to "Drain and Refill" [no mention of flush] every 15,000 miles ...or once a year. Use only Studebaker Type A Automatic Transmission Fluid [not engine oil]."

I always drained and refilled the ATs in my 1953-1955 Studebakers every year when I did the oil and grease.

[rockne10]

The 1953 "Studebaker Automatic Drive" booklet says... Use only Studebaker Type A Automatic Transmission Fluid" [not engine oil].

Gary, you're reading the '53 book; I'm reading the '51 book. 10W premium engine oil works; Studebaker Type A Transmission Fluid is better and didn't exist in '51; Dexron/Mercon is the modern best.