The two Cs

[sean sherry]

Competition and collaboration...... between Manufacturers......
Ford O Matics were B. W. 8s...Early Ford Lincolns Automatics were G.M. Turbo Hydramatics....Chrysler made all the Master Cylinders and Ford made all the Cylinder Blocks. Holden Trimatics were Strasberg's Three Speeds designed by Chev. for under 2 litre high revving Opels .. Simca's... 3 series BMWs etc.
Never designed for low revving USA High Torque Engines. eg. Holdens V8s
The Clutch Plates were made from either Hard Fibre... Compressed Paper and also Brass. Some higher powered Ford V 8s used Brass Plates in their B.W. 8s.... (sorry Ford O Matics)
Hence the variety of Oils used with different coefficient of Friction characters.
Wrong Oil ..... Converter Clutch shudder etc.

 

[Patrick_R]

Very interesting Sean.

 

[sean sherry]

Thanks Patrick.. just trying to keep the Posts coming...

 

[Michel]

Rolls Royce used GM 4-speed Hydramatic in early Shadows up to 1970 in the UK whilst using the venerable 3-speed TH 400 automatic elsewhere and in later models.
Spirits and Spurs used the newer electronically-controlled four-speed 4L80E automatic.

 

[sean sherry]

You have got me there Michel.. my knowledge ground to a halt probably 30 years ago..... please ask me about Cast Iron 2 speed Power Flites and Cast Iron 3 speed Torque Flites from the Fifties !

 

[Patrick_R]

Michel is spot on Sean,
My 72 Shadow has a TH400. Lovely box.

I think in the very early Spirits Michel, they still ran the 3 speed, but after those early examples you are spot on, 4 speed overdrive.
The Professor will be able to confirm transmissions and dates I’m sure

I looked at putting an electric overdrive unit into my Shadow to get those rpm down at 110kph.
Would have been great.

Small box, after the transmission.

 

[Michel]

My 1990 Spur II had a lovely 4-speed automatic and was a dream on the motorway, especially when my son Albert drove and I was dozing off in the back electric retractable seat

 

[BenzBoy]

Hmm - perhaps it was a 1990?

 

[Michel]

Hmm - perhaps it was a 1990?

OOOPS... typed the wrong key

I'll fix it

Thank you Professor

 

[Michel]

Hmm - perhaps it was a 1990?

Talking of RRs Professor, does our friend in Wetherill Park still operate?

 

[Patrick_R]

Beautiful place to be Michel.

And what a ride to do it in

 

[BenzBoy]

Talking of RRs Professor, does our friend in Wetherill Park still operate?

He does.
Regards,
Brian

 

[sean sherry]

Interesting that the Turbine 400 was very suitable for R R Heavy slow revving high Torque at lower RPM... just as designed for the American Cars. Not so happy in high RPM V 12 Jags . Shift quality easily improved by fitting a Modulator with a stronger Spring.