Just an update. Once I got home he cover off the bottom of the tranny, the bolts holding tranny to flywheel were right there. once they were all out, the two separated nicely. The distributor is stuck, been spraying it with blaster but it still doesn't seem to want to leave the block. I'm taking the engine to a machine shop once I get it torn down, if the distributor won't come out by then, it'll be another thing for him to do for me. Found a tranny shop that knows how to work on the hydra matic in town so that'll work out nicely for me.

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri

ive never had anything to do with this setup but couldnt just unbolt the transmission and pull it of leaving the tc in place like any other transmission.then you could see what your up against.

Kinda yes. Think old ….. the converter(call it what you want) is not held on by 3 or 4 bolts like modern one. It’s held to a solid starter ring gear (not the proper name) with 20+ bolts and nuts and has o-rings or a gasket to seal it all together. You will see all this when you get the bottom shield off. The solid plate that has the starter gear on it attaches to the crank with the standard 5-6 bolts. 

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

The 20 nuts are located where? Connects the torque converter to the flywheel? I've never been inside a tranny so am pretty ignorant

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri

I have the 54 lincoln repair and adjustment manual which is really quite detailed but it doesn't have a thing about the gm transmission.

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri

Before you go any further you should get the factory shop manual for this car. (You might need the 1952 shop manual along with the 54 supplement) 

Call it what ever you want. If I’m not mistaken you turn it to a plug on the bottom and it will drain the ….. but slow. If you rotate it 180* there is a second plug if you remove it the ….. will drain fast. Have a big pan ready. Then remove the 20 or so nuts. Without making a mess then slide back the trans. My dad had me put 2or3 4” studs where 2 bolts were to help slide it back. 

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

Plus I was told there isn't a torque converter on this one but a torus.

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri

Thanks but does getting to the drain plugs help get the tranny out?

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri

There should be a cover on the bottom under the torque converter to get to the converter drain plugs. Photo is from a 55 Motors Manual showing the cover on a 52-55 Lincoln engine.










56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.