Towing an automatic transmission

[AndyK]

Can I tow my '54 Kaiser Manhattan automatic transmission 2 miles without damaging the transmission (or anything else)? 

[Gordie]

They do not recommend towing Hydramatic equipped cars but two miles should not damage anything.  Just go slow and be sure that the selector is in neutral.

[pjkaiser]

One of the main reasons you don't tow an automatic is that the fluid pump is not operating to lubricate the output shaft.  However, there is enough oil there to tow up to 50 miles under 50 mph, these have been the usual guidelines (given in Owners Manuals) over the years.  So, a few miles will not hurt it at all.

[MarkH]

One of the main reasons you don't tow an automatic is that the fluid pump is not operating to lubricate the output shaft.  However, there is enough oil there to tow up to 50 miles under 50 mph, these have been the usual guidelines (given in Owners Manuals) over the years.  So, a few miles will not hurt it at all.

Speaking in general about automatics and not this particular model, "back in the day" there were some that had a front & rear pump. Supposedly those models could be "push" started if they were towed somewhere around 20 mph.

[Fid]

We once towed a Kaiser with a Hydramatic across three states.  All you have to do is disconnect the drive shaft at the rear end (and make sure it's supported) and you're good to go.