AMC V-8s
(Parts are low cost, common and widely available) |
(Many corporate divisions within the greater Borg Warner entity) |
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==Transmissions== | ==Transmissions== | ||
===Automatic transmissions=== | ===Automatic transmissions=== | ||
− | AMC used GM hydramatic transmissions in 1957 switching in the '58 model year to | + | AMC used GM hydramatic transmissions in 1957 switching in the '58 model year to "Flash-O-Matic" units manufactured primarily by Warner Gear Division of Borg Warner. Only manual transmissions were used in the 1956 Specials. AMC called the GM automatic "Flashaway" and the Borg-Warner transmission "Flash-O-Matic". It's a three speed cast iron case Borg-Warner Model 8 with a vacuum modulator valve. The column shift quadrant will read P-R-N-2-D-1-L. The 1 and 2 are small. |
A dash mounted push-button shifter mechanism was used in the Rambler 6 and Ambassador from 1958-'62. The American models used a column shifter. The push-buttons were marked N-R-D2-D1-L, with a Park lever under the dash. P-R-N are self explanatory. In D2 the transmission will act like a two speed. It starts in second gear and shifts to third, downshifts only to second. This was mainly used for slippery conditions such as driving in snow or ice. Using second gear prevented excessive wheel spin. Many people think they have a two speed transmission because this is the third forward position on the transmission. Slip it down to D1, however, and you'll find the missing gear! In D1 the trans shifts from first through third and back down. L (low) is first gear only, no up shifts. The trans can safely be shifted into Low at any speed. As a safety feature the trans will not shift down until it has reached a safe speed to do so. If in third it will got to second, then down to first once a safe speed is reached. It will not shift back up until shifted into D1 or D2. To manually shift through the gears start in L, shift up to D1 then as soon as the trans shifts, go back to L. It won't downshift if accelerating. When ready for third gear go back to D1. | A dash mounted push-button shifter mechanism was used in the Rambler 6 and Ambassador from 1958-'62. The American models used a column shifter. The push-buttons were marked N-R-D2-D1-L, with a Park lever under the dash. P-R-N are self explanatory. In D2 the transmission will act like a two speed. It starts in second gear and shifts to third, downshifts only to second. This was mainly used for slippery conditions such as driving in snow or ice. Using second gear prevented excessive wheel spin. Many people think they have a two speed transmission because this is the third forward position on the transmission. Slip it down to D1, however, and you'll find the missing gear! In D1 the trans shifts from first through third and back down. L (low) is first gear only, no up shifts. The trans can safely be shifted into Low at any speed. As a safety feature the trans will not shift down until it has reached a safe speed to do so. If in third it will got to second, then down to first once a safe speed is reached. It will not shift back up until shifted into D1 or D2. To manually shift through the gears start in L, shift up to D1 then as soon as the trans shifts, go back to L. It won't downshift if accelerating. When ready for third gear go back to D1. |