[rocketman61]

i have a 1961 Oldsmobile with a 394ic v8 and a hydromatic trans when im just cruse'n and it goes to change up the revs drop/ studder then it changes. iwas told by a friend i need a new torque converter. i wanted to know what torque converters will fit it?
thank you
miles

[redsdad]

Your hydro doesn't have a torque converter. It has a fluid coupling. Sounds like internal problems either in the friction material or the valving.

[rocketman61]

thanks for that-so im guessing the only thing for it is a rebuild?

[Crosley]

Originally Posted by rocketman61

i have a 1961 Oldsmobile with a 394ic v8 and a hydromatic trans when im just cruse'n and it goes to change up the revs drop/ studder then it changes. i was told by a friend i need a new torque converter. i wanted to know what torque converters will fit it?
thank you
miles

I believe you have a model 10 roto hydramatic....... often called a Slim Jim

Your tranny may be shifting correctly..... these units did not shift in the same manner as more modern trannys .

I ran around with a friend in high school with a 62 Olds Starfire with 394 engine that had one of these old trannys . It shifted as you describe

[pitts64]

I would swap in the 400 Turbo. The Slimjim is trouble.

[Crosley]

Originally Posted by pitts64

I would swap in the 400 Turbo. The Slimjim is trouble.

that would require an expensive adapter for the t-400 to fit a 394 Olds motor

[briscoe]

I believe Crosley is correct, as best as I remember [ this being a slimjim and working correctly ].

Later today I will call the man that taught me my trade [ he's a much older trans rebuilder, now retired] and I'll check with him about this.

And of course will post his info.

[pitts64]

The price of the adapter is well worth it for the benefit of having the Turbo 400. The Turbo 400 takes a block mounted starter.
I would contact Wilcap and have one made.
http://www.wilcap.com/webdoc8.html

I've had cars (63 Olds 88, 64 Catalina and 421 Grand Prix) with Slim-Jims and all that transmission was good for was making transmission shops rich. Besides have you looked at the price to rebuild a slim-jim? There's no other way to go.
A friend recently put a working slim jim behind a healthy Pontiac 462 just for kicks. It lasted about 100 miles. He is putting the much stronger 4 speed Super Hydromatic in his Catalina now.
I have a 64 Bonneville with a stout 462 with a 64 Jetaway 4 speed hydro and its a fantastic combo. I wouldn't want any other tranny. The 4 speed hydro with its 3.97 first coupled with a 2.56 posi is a fantastic street combo.
I also like cruising at 65 mph @ 2100 rpm.
I'm getting ready to install a governor from a 60 Pontiac Tri-Power 389 to extend the rpm range.