Transmission / Overdrive: Weight of flight-o-matic

[bhapner]

Anyone have an idea of how much the flight-o-matic with the bell housing and torque converter weigh?

thx

[SN-60]

That's an interesting question....I don't know the answer.....but it's still an interesting question!

[bezhawk]

Without the bell housing, and torque converter, It's 142 lbs

[SN-60]

Without the bell housing, and torque converter, It's 142 lbs

Short or long tailshaft????

[Pat Dilling]

According to my bathroom scale, the one I took out of my '64 Cruiser weighs 168 pounds with the bell housing, but without the torque converter. The torque converter weighs 35.5 pounds. So, 203 pounds + or - with some fluid in it. I believe it is a long tail shaft unit. It's a heavy dude as transmissions go.

[SN-60]

To: Pat Dilling,------Yep........the '64 would have the 'long tail'.....Thanks for the info! (And don't forget to clean that scale!!!)

[Pat Dilling]

Scale was cleaned immediately! I actually put a piece of foil insulation between the trans and the scale. I also weighed myself afterwards to make sure the trans did not knock the scale off kilter. The trans outweighs me by quite a bit!

[wittsend]

Assuming the A-12 I pulled out of my '64 Daytona was a Flight-O-Matic (by name) it weighed right at 200 pounds with the (Chevy) bellhousing, convertor and fluid. This concurs with what Pat Dilling reported. The Chevy bellhousing (actually Checker bellhousing) and the Chevy applicable convertor probably account for the minor discrepancies.

Not sure what you need the weight measurements for, but the 700R4 I replaced it with weighed 146 pounds (less fluid). I got a full time functioning 1st gear, an additional overdrive fourth gear and a lock up convertor while saving 50 pounds.

Tom

[SN-60]

To: wittsend,----Sure there are better (read that more modern) automatic transmission alternatives available now. And I like the 700 R4, (Have one in My '83), but don't discount the Borg Warner 'Model Eight' to quickly. It's a rugged, dependable, three speed transmission, easy to service, with parts still readily available. We're fortunate that Studebaker Management made the wise decision to phase out 'Studebaker Automatic Drive' and go with the 'Eight' (Flightomatic) transmission after the 1955 model year.

[studerodder]

According to my bathroom scale, the one I took out of my '64 Cruiser weighs 168 pounds with the bell housing, but without the torque converter. The torque converter weighs 35.5 pounds. So, 203 pounds + or - with some fluid in it. I believe it is a long tail shaft unit. It's a heavy dude as transmissions go.

feels like a helluva lot more when youre layin' on your back trying to navigate it!

[SN-60]

feels like a helluva lot more when youre layin' on your back trying to navigate it!

Yes, the 'Good Old Days' of trying to muscle a transmission into place, alone, with maybe a leaky floor jack helping! (If You were lucky enough to have a floor jack)

[SScopelli]

Yes, the 'Good Old Days' of trying to muscle a transmission into place, alone, with maybe a leaky floor jack helping! (If You were lucky enough to have a floor jack)

I'm Thankful I only have to bench press the transmission into place and not the bell housing and torque converter as well!

With a curb weight of a 60's V8/AT (853 lbs) convertible at 2,765 lbs, a 400 lbs diet of an LSx and 700r4 (457.6 lbs) would make a big difference!

[sals54]

This thread reminded me of the first time I pulled a flight o matic out of a Lark to use in my Coupe. I and my friends all had Ch*vys back in the day so we had changed out several powerglides. Mine the Chevelle, and my buddies had Impalas. The easiest way to remove the trans for me was to pull the bolts and while lying on my back, lower the trans onto my chest, then slip out from under it. Easy peasy.
WOW, doing that with the Stude trans nearly knocked the wind out of me. I think a Stude automatic weighs 947 lbs. Luckily, my buddies helped me out of that fix. I learned to love trans jacks.

[Pat Dilling]

I was surfing the other day and came across this. Turns a floor jack into a tranny jack, pretty slick I thought. I've seen a couple different versions

http://www.amazon.com/American-Tool-.../dp/B00080QGYG

[wittsend]

Or, if you are adventuresome and have a sense of balance... And, let me add that the thought of 146 pounds of aluminum falling on you, is a lot more reassuring than having 200 pounds of steel falling on you. I guess because aluminum is a "softer" metal.