'53 fluid-torque drive vs. fluid drive

Hola Paul

The Fluid Torque Drive was a very low requested option - which was only on some V-8's. Just about every vehicle has a Fluid Drive Logo and the lessor of less has a Fluid Torque Logo in the same location.

If a Magnet Will Not hold to the side of the Bell Housing ---- you have The Fluid Torque Drive.

Have you spoke with The 1953 Tech ( Look at Resources on the left )

Rodger & Gabby
Colo Spgs

Hi Rodger,

Thanks. I'm out of town and can't remember seeing ANY type of drive logo (fluid or fluid torque) anywhere on the car. I'll have to look again when I get home. Will use the magnet trick if I can't find a logo.

I did speak briefly with Pete, the '53 contact, who said he'd have to research my question about the build codes. It's been a few weeks, haven't heard back - I'll have to contact him again.

Paul

Couple other things to do. If it's fluid torque drive, then either it uses a pump-fed torque converter or an engine-fed converter. The pump-fed should have an oil cooler at the front of the engine, low on the driver's side is where I've seen them on V8s. If it's engine-fed, then the torque converter shares circulating engine oil and an oil change requires 13 quarts. The instructions say drain the engine, drain the torque converter, change the engine filter, then refill the engine with 13 quarts, 12 if you don't change the filter.

So if it only needs 5-6 quarts at oil change, and if you don't have a transmission oil cooler, it must be fluid drive.

If you contact the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Historical Society, you can get a copy of the build sheet for your car, including engine and transmission options, original paint color, etc. I think they charge $45 or so. This will tell you what clutch configuration your car had when it was built. I got one for my 53 wagon and it's useful to see the details.