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1955 Buick Special


Louis12306

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I am having a problem, when I shift into drive the car acts like it does not want to move and starts moving very slowly and the engine races, then I hear loud clunks from under the car, after that the car drives normally untill I stop again. The car has a dynaflow automatic transmision and a 264 engine. any information would be helpful.

thank you

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Guest imported_NikeAjax

It sounds to me like you're not getting any ATF where it needs to be to get the car moving. I would suggest pulling the pan on the tranny and seeing if your filter is clogged; also drain the torque converter, there are two plugs on the front that will let you drainn it. Try putting in a tranny sealer too, you may have hardened seals and the fluid is leaking past the places where you need pressure.

Try that, and if you have any more questions, I will try to help,

Jaybird

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Thank you for the info. I will do that tomorrow, only things I need to know is if I will need a new gasket for the transmission pan and if I can turn the torqe converter with my hand to get the drain plugs to the bottom. Thank you.

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I'm certain you'll need a new pan gasket, but I doubt you can turn the torque converter by hand. You should be able to turn the torque converter by rotating the engine via the harmonic balancer bolt or by pivoting a prybar in the flywheel teeth and against the tranny casing

JD

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Guest imported_NikeAjax

Never try to reuse a pan gasket, some gaskets you can, but this is one application that it's way more trouble than it's worth. I usually cut my own using an Xacto knife and a razor blade.

Good luck,

Jaybird

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Hello, today drained the pan and removed it and also drained the torque converter. The screen was very dirty and gummed up and the fluid was a very dark red and was thick. Now I have to wait until thursday for the pan gasket to arrive. I hope this helps my transmission.

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Guest imported_NikeAjax

Yikes! It sounds as if you got it just in time: good!

You should use Mercon/Dexron-III (doesn't that sound like one of the places that Captain Kirk should have vistited?) Don't stress too much on the brand, I think it's API certified that is the important thing; some people will tell you stories about this and that happening if you use a certain brand; hmm?

Jaybird

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Actually, the correct, originally specified transmission fluid for 1955 is Type A transmission fluid. It is not available in many places, but I have found that if you go to a convenience store or grocery in an older (economically deprived) neighborhood, where the residents tend to drive old, leaky cars, these stores stock Type A transmission fluid, and it is usually quite inexpensive.

Pete Phillips, BCA #7338

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I would be best to use the current Dexron/Mercon fluids that are backward compatible with the old type A. Would you use the cheap no name non-degergent oil sitting on the shelf next to it? Only in an emergency. The old oils are inferior to the modern counterparts.

I am having a Dynaflow rebuilt now and when I mentioned type A, I though the rebuilder was going to have a seizure. I then recieved a 30 minute lecture from a nice 75 year old gentleman....so I am passing on a short version.

Willie

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Difference in Type F and Dexron fluids is the friction characteristics of the fluid upon initial clutch/band apply, not the viscosity of the fluids.

To date, there have been Dexron, Dexron II, Dexron IIE, Dexron III, Dexron III H-Spec, and . . . . ta daaa . . . . now Dexron VI (which became factory fill for the new 6-speed automatic in April). ALL are backward compatible with the earlier versions of Dexron too!!! The Dexron III that corresponds to Mercon, does not work where the specific Mercon V fluid is used.

Enjoy!

NTX5467

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Hello, did everything and the car still acts the same way just now the clunking is almost gone. it still has a hard time moving, If I start out in 2nd and shift it to Drive when I get up to 30MPH it is almost normal driving it, but even then it still starts off slower than it should. I also checked the rear end oil and it was down so I filled it, also I made sure none of the brakes were sticking. Any advice would help alot.

Thank you!

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