1953 Dynaflow question

[Jeff Matthews]

I am not sure how the 1953 Dynaflow works. I can swear I can't feel shifting between gears. I have been on the freeway at speeds around 65 mph. It revs pretty high - not like I am going to ruin anything - but still whiney. It makes you want to cruise the freeway at about 50 mph while everyone else passes you up.

Is this just the way the transmission worked back then?

FYI, I just stick in in Drive and go if that makes a difference.

[bill lagna]

Jeff,
There are no gears in Drive , it works off pressure. The only gears in a dynaflow are low( need to put it in low) and reverse. Lots of slipping in the trans but smooth. Like everything else GM does,the 62-63 Dynaflow was great and the did away with it. In 55-56 Buick put a switchpitch coverter in and they would fry the tires.
what model is your 53,Special ,Super Or Roadmaster?

[jimbobbuickboy]

Hence....why the fluid Dynaflow is called DynaSLUSH. :Smarty:

[Jeff Matthews]

It is a 53 Special 2-door sedan. So, if I hear right, it's just supposed to whine at 60?

[bill lagna]

Jeff,
Its not suppose to be noisy, it may be the front pump making noise, if its not leaking, I would leave it alone!

[Aaron65]

Even if it is leaking I'd leave it alone... Ha ha. Seriously...most Dynaflows seem to at least leave a tiny drop behind when they park. If it's gushing fluid, you'll need a seal or two. On top of that, your Special has a 3.6:1 axle ratio. It's revving pretty high compared to a new car on the freeway. 65 is a nice cruising speed for mine, I've found. It'll go faster, but it starts to feel uneasy if you do, or at least I start to. If it's not making any whining noise, like a mechanical whirring...it's working as it should.

[Jeff Matthews]

Thanks for the info. I do have a crack in the exhaust manifold, which I think is unrelated because it drives more quietly at lower speeds. Anyway, does anyone know where I can get my hands on a replacement exhaust manifold?

The whining does not sound mechanical. It sounds like high revving. The same sound you get out of a U-Haul truck if you take it up to 70.

[bill lagna]

Jeff, I think you will have more luck on the BCA board for the manifold! Or EBAY