GM Futurliner Transmission

GM Futurliner Transmission
GM Futurliner Restoration Project
National Automotive and Truck Museum of the United States

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History #10
Relocation
Resto Begins
Disassembly
Lots of Rust
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Sand Blasting
New Barn

Electrical
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Transmission
Shifter
Hubcaps
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Photos:
2012 - 2011
2010 - 2009
2008 - 2007
2006 - 2005
2004 - 2003
2002 - 2001
2000 - 1999
Status

Hydramatic Transmission Bill, Del and Don worked most of a day to get the transmission out of the Futurliner. The engine was seized but needed to be rotated in order to get at the torque converter bolts. Four pistons were removed from the engine before it could be rotated. Don disassembled his engine hoist and reassembled it inside the Futurliner. After making a rigging that balanced the transmission they were able to drop it onto the floor, onto a Jalopy Dolly, and roll it out from under the Futurliner.

Ron Bluhm from GM Power Train has been working with us to have GM Power Train restore the dual range Hydramatic transmission. This is not your usual Hydramatic of the 50’s era. It is coupled with a two speed gearbox bolted to the rear of the Hydramatic and has four gears in each of the two ranges (providing eight forward speeds). A second two-speed/PTO gearbox (see below) three quarters of the way back on the drive shaft, multiplies the eight forward speeds into 16 forward speeds. In addition, the Hydramatic is the military version for very heavy work. Having the expertise of Ron and GM Power Train to overhaul this transmission, again, overcomes a major restoration hurdle. GM has agreed to pick up the transmission and restore it.

DANA/SPICER 3-SPEED TRANS WITH PTO

This Dana/Spicer 3-speed transmission with PTO section bolted to it is located near the rear of the vehicle. It provides three ranges for the driver to select from and disconnects the drive to the rear wheels to become a PTO unit for the generator. While the unit was rusty, it was in relatively good condition with the exception of the bearings.

- 1st gear is a reduction of engine shaft speed to the differential by 1/2 or a very low low.
- 2nd gear is no reduction of engine shaft speed to the differential or a 1:1 ratio.
- 3rd gear is an overdrive where engine shaft speed to the differential is increased by 25%.
- PTO idles the rear axle and operates the PTO.

The casting number on the large casting that supports this transmission is: GMC 2098370

Gordon DeBaar has already completely restored this transmission. He has been rebuilding heavy duty truck transmissions for over 30 years.

Joe Lockhard was able to obtain bearings for the rebuild from the company he works for, Applied Industrial Technology, located in Flint, Michigan. Their actual price came to $860.
The the bearings used were:
Timken Roller bearing #359-S 4 pieces
Timken race #354-A 4 pieces
Timken roller bearing #418 2 pieces
Timken race #414 2 pieces
Ball bearing MCR-209-M G9 SRB 1 piece
Universal Seal #216-350 3 pieces

All of the above or there equivalents are available. In addition, needle bearings were on the inside that our rebuilder supplied for which we did not get the numbers.

The data tag on the main 3 speed gear box reads:

Designed and Manufactured by
SPICER
Manufacturing Corporation
Toledo, Ohio
for
YELLOW TRUCK & COACH MFG. CO.
Pontiac, Mich.
Model no. 6031 Serial no. 33609
YT no. 2129880 Low ratio 2141
The data plate on the attached PTO unit reads:
DANA CORPORATION
Spicer Toledo, Ohio USA
P.T.O. no. GG5 13

* We have come to find out that a lot of old army trucks of this vintage were used by Michigan farmers. The automatic transmissions of these trucks and their extremely low gearing allowed the trucks to match the speed of the tractor so that the harvesting and conveying the grain or potatoes into the trucks could take place.