51 Hydramatic fill/dip-stick...where the hell is it?

[konrad]

Supposed to be under the front passenger side floor mat...I peeled it up yesterday and saw two metal plugs in the floorboards...popped both of those off and saw bolt heads...one was about center of passenger floor space, the other near the frame.  I billowed the front mat up towards the tranny hump, shone my flashlight in...saw nothing that looked like access to the tranny fill/dip stick...

What am I missing?  Do I need to tear the front seat out to access it...it's back as far as it goes now?

[Gordie]

It is up higher under the Glove box area of the floor boards.

[rrdcorvair]

Hi Konrad....you're looking in the wrong area.  It is on the passenger side of the car but access is through the trunk.
   I should just stop there and watch this site but........since you do eventually buy things I'll say....nah I'm just kidding.
  Have you found the plate for filling the master cylinder?  Similar looking plate but passenger side upward  on the trans hump.  I can supply pictures if needed.   Some say that a Oldsmobile (or is it Pontiac) transmission pan (has a traditional tube and dip stick) can be made to work.  There are kits also available to convert that Master Cylinder into a check level and fill reservoir on the firewall.  Busted Ba**s Bob
 

[konrad]

Have you found the plate for filling the master cylinder?  Similar looking plate but passenger side upward  on the trans hump.  I can supply pictures if needed.   Some say that a Oldsmobile (or is it Pontiac) transmission pan (has a traditional tube and dip stick) can be made to work.  There are kits also available to convert that Master Cylinder into a check level and fill reservoir on the firewall.  Busted Ba**s Bob

Pics would be awesome.  With mechanicals I'm very visual.  And I'd be seriously interested in putting everything under the hood if possible, so anything further you (or anyone) could suggest would be most helpful.  I love my Kaiser, but I find it weird that they hid access to certain basic functions...almost as if they presaged the evolution of the Windows OS...hide the basic functions from the dweebs. 

[rrdcorvair]

I'll post pictures of remote brake fill and location of trans access plate Wednesday nite.

[Gordie]

It is unusual that as big a deal as Hydramatic was when introduced on the '51 Kaisers and Frazers that it is not mentioned in either the Kaiser or Frazer owners manuals.  The 1952 manuals for the Virginian and Manhattan were almost carbon copies of the 1951 manual and nothing is mentioned other than a small folder that slides in to the cover of the manual explaining how to use your dual range Hydramatic drive equipped car.  The service bulletins mention it and there were several Hydramatic manuals used.  Maybe that was their way to get you back to the dealer for service!

[joefrazer]

Here are a few pix of the access plates for the master cylinder and transmission. The first shows placement for the master cylinder. In the second photo, the trans filler is under the plate to the right and the last photo shows the dipstick. Check the trans fluid with the car running, in neutral and engine warm.

[konrad]

Many thanks for the pics Joe!

So it's actually on the hump.  Out of curiosity, what does the oval plate to the left cover?

[rrdcorvair]

Hey Jim, Thanks for saving me a walk up to the garage.  Konrad, the oval plate gives access to the transmission adjusters for the hydramatic bands.  I'll still follow up on the remote brake fill kit later today.

[rrdcorvair]

Found the photos.  Maroon car, first photo lower right side of pic, second photo, white car center right near air duct, and finally third photo shows installation on our 54 maroon Kaiser.  As we do each car I am going with hardened valves and remote brake fluid fillers.  And some cars I've switched to DOT #5.  Bob

[konrad]

Bob...I like that master cylinder modification...that's right up my ally.

Can you point me to a parts kit for that?  Or...perhaps...sell me one...? 

And DOH!!! on the band adjustments...now I recall reading about that port...

[rrdcorvair]

I'll check to see if I can find the seller I bought from.  I found him on Ebay, a few years ago.  try typing in 'remote master cylinder fill' ( and maybe add 'Ford' because it'll also work on early Fords.  I don't think I have any extras as I still have three cars to go.