Originally Posted by jorb
Torque Tube U-Joint Ball Housing Adjustment Powerglide and manual shift trans. Ball Housing Adjustment are the same.

What it sounds like to me is the Wrench who does the work for you.
Might be not using the correct number of shims.
If the Ball Collar is to close to U-Joint Ball Housing it will tear the cork seal.
That's what the paper shims are for, to adjust how close or far the Ball Collar is from the U-Joint Ball Housing.

Note: The Powerglide and 1/2 ton Hydra-matic transmissions are the only torque tube drivelines the use a ball seat.
The manual shift transmission ball seat is cast into it's tail housing.
jorb,

I do not understand your distinction with regards to the presence of a "ball seat" in the various transmissions.

Any manual shift SM420 4-speed transmission could have a removable/interchangeably cast-iron rear-housing for an enclosed drive-shaft/u-joint "ball seat"; or, any SM420 could have a cast-iron rear-housing for an open drive-shaft/u-joint.

The cast-iron fitting/housing/cover ("tail housing" - rear housing?) on the rear of the SM420 transmission is interchangeable among all SM420 years. Any SM420 could be set-up for open driveshaft or closed driveshaft (with the appropriate rear housing).

This is very convenient.

Tim
1954Advance-Design.com
1954 3106 Carryall Suburban
1954 3104 5-window pickup w/Hydra-Matic
The 216 and early 235 engines are not "splash oilers" -- this is a splash oiler.