Taking out the Hydrive

[David Pollock]

There are two oil passages to be plugged on the back of the engine. but they are threaded. The engine also uses a different oil pump which could be left in place. It has the bypass circuit in its cover and supposedly pumped a higher volume of oil but the rotors look the same to me.

A standard flywheel and bell housing can then be fitted but as the entire hydrive assembly is longer than the standard setup, the crossmember must be changed and all the gearshift and clutch linkages. The driveshaft must also be changed.

Unless you have a standatd shift parts car nearby, I would not recommend you get into this.  I have also heard that some hydrive engines have six bolt holes in the flywheel, but have not run into that myself.

[Hydrive53]

What are you going to do with that trans and motor if you take them out??

[vanbuskirk]

The HyDrive transmission is longer than the 3 speed. The rear motor mount cross member will have to be moved. I did this exchange in 1963. The bell housing was not bolted to the crossmember, and drifted left and right. Often dropped the clutch pedal shaft bearings on the road. On the other hand, top speed went to 106, from 82, because the HyDrive had a different rear end, and maybe a different speedo gear. I am lucky to be alive. Bob

[Jim Benjaminson]

Everything is different from a hydrive car to a regular or PowerFlite car....plan on changing both engine and transmission....

[cbosman]

Well, this is my first time posting because I haven't found the question in previous posts.  I would like to take out the hydrive transmission in my 53 Belvedere and replace it.  Is it just a matter of plugging up some oil passages or is the back of the engine and the crank different than a regular 218?