62 Catalina Hydromatic 3 spd Trans

[Feaster22]

I have a 62 Catalina with the 389 and Hydro Trans. The car will only run in 1st gear (I believe). The Gear Selector gauge for the column is all out of whack and it’s hard to tell what gear I’m selecting. Has anyone has any luck converting to a later year manual transmission? I’ve heard butler offers a plate that relocates the starter. Also with the conversion, is there aftermarket manual trans foot pedal assembly’s for 62s? Thanks in Advance! 

[JUSTA6]

Make sure it's not a 2 spd powerglide.  They are still very sought after for racing.  Worth some $$$ towards your upgrade?  Conversion kits should be available to help you with the swap.  You will even need a new driveshaft.

[64 kiwi boni]

On 7/2/2023 at 2:26 AM, Feaster22 said:

I have a 62 Catalina with the 389 and Hydro Trans. The car will only run in 1st gear (I believe). The Gear Selector gauge for the column is all out of whack and it’s hard to tell what gear I’m selecting. Has anyone has any luck converting to a later year manual transmission? I’ve heard butler offers a plate that relocates the starter. Also with the conversion, is there aftermarket manual trans foot pedal assembly’s for 62s? Thanks in Advance! 

Hi feaster22, i have looked into options and there are heaps ! with your early 389 you will need the butlers starter mount kit and behind that you have a world of differnt adaptors that butlers also have for over drive trans, i think easiest would be tpo find a bop pattern turbo 400 and alter your drive sharft, shift linkages to work... but having said that if your going that far you best to go overdrive trans with the likes of a 4l60e or r200, forget the 6l80 thye are to big and the trans tunnel has to be modded.

have a talk to butlers about options.

 as far as going manual, you would be best to talk to the likes of Franks in ca about robbing a whole peddle assmbly out of a 62 manual car. hope this helps  

and  love to see some pictures of your 62 

[Feaster22]

45 minutes ago, 64 kiwi boni said:

Hi feaster22, i have looked into options and there are heaps ! with your early 389 you will need the butlers starter mount kit and behind that you have a world of differnt adaptors that butlers also have for over drive trans, i think easiest would be tpo find a bop pattern turbo 400 and alter your drive sharft, shift linkages to work... but having said that if your going that far you best to go overdrive trans with the likes of a 4l60e or r200, forget the 6l80 thye are to big and the trans tunnel has to be modded.

have a talk to butlers about options.

 as far as going manual, you would be best to talk to the likes of Franks in ca about robbing a whole peddle assmbly out of a 62 manual car. hope this helps  

and  love to see some pictures of your 62 

Thank You 64 Kiwi Boni! I have had a couple exchanges back and forth with Butler and they have pointed me in the direction of their adapter plate. I have just always wanted a manual. I grew up watching my dad work on and show his 64 Goat with a 421 and it is a 4spd car. Just want to feel that Poncho power when I shred throw the gears. I’m just having trouble figuring out what type of transmission I have in the car now. I believe everything to be stock..? I’ll attach a picture. Maybe you could help me identify? 

7 hours ago, JUSTA6 said:

Make sure it's not a 2 spd powerglide.  They are still very sought after for racing.  Worth some $$$ towards your upgrade?  Conversion kits should be available to help you with the swap.  You will even need a new driveshaft.

Thank you Justa6! Can you by any chance tell me what transmission I have based off of the picture of my selector gauge?

[31pontiac]

   Feaster22, I believe your transmission is the infamous RotoHydramatic a.k.a the Slim Jim.  In the late ‘80s I had a ‘61 Catalina with the same transmission and converted it to a 4-speed ( with a lot of help from a friend). Don’t remember all of the details but if you go factory original, the pedal assembly and clutch linkage must be from a 1961 or 1962 full-size Pontiac.  I think the transmission rear crossmember is different than the automatic and I don’t remember if the driveshaft length was different. I had a bell housing that fit the pre-‘65 block. I used a Muncie  4-speed from a ‘69 Firebird.

[Wrongway]

Hey welcome Feaster22, a picture of the trans pan would make identification a lot easier buddy.

[64 kiwi boni]

5 hours ago, Wrongway said:

Hey welcome Feaster22, a picture of the trans pan would make identification a lot easier buddy.

Yes true 

like Tim said the slim Jim was a pos trans .. but also easy to Id if you post some pictures  it’s of it … and like wise if it’s a super hydromatic … I have stared at my one for hours !!! Hahaha  

[JUSTA6]

On 7/2/2023 at 4:30 PM, Feaster22 said:

Thank You 64 Kiwi Boni! I have had a couple exchanges back and forth with Butler and they have pointed me in the direction of their adapter plate. I have just always wanted a manual. I grew up watching my dad work on and show his 64 Goat with a 421 and it is a 4spd car. Just want to feel that Poncho power when I shred throw the gears. I’m just having trouble figuring out what type of transmission I have in the car now. I believe everything to be stock..? I’ll attach a picture. Maybe you could help me identify? 

Thank you Justa6! Can you by any chance tell me what transmission I have based off of the picture of my selector gauge?

Sorry, my Pontiac knowledge goes back to 66.  Don't think to many could identify from the shifter.

[Feaster22]

On 7/7/2023 at 12:54 AM, Wrongway said:

Hey welcome Feaster22, a picture of the trans pan would make identification a lot easier buddy.