Re: Back to PI.com...Big Kev's move & also my bucket list dream... possible?

Posted by HH56 On 2017/2/3 15:28:27

I think it is generally accepted the TUs were somewhat delicate and didn't fare very well behind the high horsepower V8 unless they were treated with kid gloves. Unfortunately the period they were introduced into was the start of the V8 horsepower race so many were not treated well and reputation suffered accordingly.

The late 54 gear start and 55 versions, being new and relatively untested, had some teething issues but by 56 the early problems were fairly well eliminated. There were running changes for 55s and the 56 then had some mechanical changes and a redesigned valve body and throttle linkage which changed shift patterns quite a bit to eliminate some of the big issues. Ross has also done a couple of mods which change shifts slightly more and help too. With modern fluids and friction materials the results are even better.

Obviously being a two speed it will never compete with a modern trans but as long as the unit has been treated with some respect or has been gone thru by a competent mechanic and then treated well it should provide relatively trouble free service. With the kind of driving you anticipate doing I doubt you would have any significant issues. Of course a downside is if you do have issues the people that would consider working on them or even understand and could do a competent repair is quite limited. I doubt if there are more than a dozen in the whole country that could be trusted to do a good job. Fortunately you live a couple of states away and on the same side of the country as one of them.