Guest jshtulman1 Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 Hey all,I own a 1951 Buick Special equipped with the dreaded "Dynaslow", "Dynaslush", or however you prefer to call it. It's honestly not that bad, granted I've only driven it for about a month. But, I was wondering, how much wear would it put on the transmission if I started off in low gear and then proceeded to switch to drive at around 30? You've probably got this question plenty of times at this point, but I couldn't find any other threads regarding this topic. Thanks for your time.Sincerely,Jacob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shadetree77 Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 Jacob,I have a '52 with Dynaflow and once I put new seals in it I haven't had a bit of trouble out of it. I rather enjoy the smooth take-offs of the non-shifting Dynaflow. Starting off in Low and then shifting to Drive is a perfectly acceptable operation. It's even described in the owners and service manuals. The only thing it cautions against when performing this is to never exceed 40 mph before you shift into Drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasJohn55 Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 (edited) Jacob,My first car was a '55 Special, that's the way I drove it and I drove it hard. I didn't have any trans trouble. I once had my brakes fail and the only way I could get the car slowed down quick enough to keep from running off a bridge into a creek was to drop it into REVERSE at about 40 mph. It wheel hopped and slid the tires a bit but got me slowed down. I then slipped it into drive and went on my way albeit a little more carefully. They are tougher than some people give them credit for.I don't advocate abusing a trans like that but I got away with it. I currently have a '55 and won't hesitate to use Low gear and shift if I want acceleration. Others will disagree but I haven't read of anyone actually experiencing a failure from the practice. It seems to be mostly anecdotal wisdom not to do it. Maybe someone with first hand experience will weigh in on the subject.The dynaflow was known to fail the reverse band or anchor pin when abused so I don't advocate dropping into reverse while in forward motion. Edited May 6, 2014 by TexasJohn55 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 Jacob, that is what the Low is for. I drove a lot of these when in my teens. We did not hesitate to run up to 60 mph in L. Performance was surprising, for the day. Enjoy. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 Sure do despise those two derogatory terms. Just goes to show, do one thing bad and your reputation is ruined for life+. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhambulldog Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 Dynaflow gets a bad rap undeservedly. Shifting from low to drive , I do it when I have to start from a stop on a steep grade. And when driving at low speed , sometimes I leave it in low to keep the cooling fan speed up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 I have a 50 Wagon that will only get out of its own way while in low....I also have a new Nissan that has one of the CVT transmissions that acts just like a Dynaflow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fr. Buick Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 Do not use Low on a regular basis. And when shifting, do so with your foot off the gas, so it goes in gently. Otherwise, you tear things up.I have driven a '54 with Dynaflow for a lot of years. I use Low for parking lots, stop-and-go freeway driving, and the occasional quick start. Otherwise, Drive is what it was designed to use... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhambulldog Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 Do not use Low on a regular basis. And when shifting, do so with your foot off the gas, so it goes in gently. Otherwise, you tear things up.I have driven a '54 with Dynaflow for a lot of years. I use Low for parking lots, stop-and-go freeway driving, and the occasional quick start. Otherwise, Drive is what it was designed to use...Good Advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 While 'helping' my transmission builder tear apart a dynaflow, I told him how I used to repeatedly do full throttle shifts at 65mph (about the time the valves and/or points floated ). I was expecting a lecture on abuse, but he just gave me a puzzled look and said "won't hurt it".I don't do that much anymore...like at one of the Flint meets I declined a trip down the dragstrip since that thing had to get me 1400 miles to home. :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 From time to time, I look in my rear view mirror and I think I, sometimes, see people making those full throttle shifts. My Dynaflow does fine in Drive.Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasJohn55 Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 Ha Ha! Yep, that was me, my 264 2 bbl needs all the help I can give it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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