1947 Cadillac transmission trouble

I recently towed my 1947 Cadillac series 62 convertible about 300 miles. I used a tow dolly to tow it with the front wheels up and rear wheels trailing. I made sure it was in neutral and no parking brake on. Turned out to be a bad idea.

Shortly into the trip, a very light mist of fluid was leaking somehwere under the car and it began to smoke, just barely, whenever we stopped. The car starts fine and goes into gears fine but moving forward or back there is a jolt after a few feet like a brake is being applied.

I've been told not to drive it to avoid any additional damage to the transmission.

Any idea how bad this might be, what parts I might need and where to get them? I'm going to take it to a transmission guy. Is there anything tricky or unusual about this transmission that a mechanic should know about?

Not done "learning my lesson" yet. I'm sure it will be a good one.

Your advice is very much appreciated.

Thanks,

-Anthony.

I predict a complete rebuild is in your future.

If he is knowledgable about hydramatics , he should have no problem. the trans has two pumps, and the rear one is driven off the driveshaft. When you tow the vehicle witout disconnecting the driveshaft,the rear pump supplies pressure to the clutches . this is how you could push start a hyrdamatic equipped car. You probably cooked the clutches and bands.

Old Guy has forgotten more then I'll ever know about these old cars. You have one of GM's 1st automatics. Olds was the first in 1940 but Cadillac picked it by for 1941 and so there probably is little difference. I don't think that you, well I know you don't want to, take that transmission to the local AAMCO. The mechanics that worked on these died out long ago (not counting restorers). You can either buy a shop manual and do it yourself or look in the services section of Hemmings or post something on the Cadillac-LaSalle Club website asking for a specialist. It may have needed it anyway and once you are done, with regular maintenance, it will be one less worry probably for the life of the Cadillac.

These are heavy iron cased beasts. You would need a shop manual sooner or later anyway. There is probably no cheap fix, sorry.

We recommend FATSCO. They rebuilt the transmission in a '47 Cadillac for us. I would echo the advice to stay away from your local transmission shop unless the guy has direct experience with older units.