The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 54 3600 Drive Shaft Question

Did the 54 3600 (3/4 ton) have a short enclosed drive shaft section like I have seen on an older 3600 or was it completely open? I am putting a 54 3600 back together after someone started to make a hot rod out of it.

Thanks in advance
Walt Williams
La Verkin, UT

Walt,

I recently parted this '54 3600 and it was open drive from trans to diff.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/12141662616/in/album-72157631870734114/

Well did we get an answer? I may be going to open drive shaft up front and need to know if the 55 and later two piece will work in the 53. Anyone?

Original '54, 3604 front and rear drive shafts:
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/136411741

dg

I do recall seeing a short enclosed drive shaft section on some 54's.
They have a enclosed tail housing on the tranny.
Then a short enclosed drive shaft section.
Then a carrier bearing.
Then transitions to a open drive shaft.
The 3600 trucks that have that, I think were trucks that came with a long box bed.

Well I saved the open SM420 and the shaft back to the carrier for converting my '50 3600 over so will let you know how it goes.

What model 1954 Chevrolet 3600 would that be jorb, that came
with a "long bed box"?
Could it have been a GMC that you're thinking of?

Like to know how that works out Brad, keep us posted on that
up grade.

dg

The only size 1954 truck with any type of enclosed drive-shaft was the 31xx series (1/2 ton) trucks.

All larger 1954 Chevrolet trucks had fully open drive-shafts/lines.

There was one size 3/4 ton Chevrolet box in 1954.
There was one size 1/2 ton Chevrolet box in 1954.

There was one size 3/4 ton GMC box in 1954.
There were two sizes of 1/2 ton GMC boxes in 1954.

And of course the fully enclose 1/2 ton would not be a
two piece drive line, like all of the 3/4 ton trucks.

dg

I guess I miss spoke. Driveshaft stays enclosed and does not transition to open.
A couple times I have seen photos of a frame and drive train with two ball housings.
A quick search I came up with This Photo Full Thread
The year of truck I think is a 1953 GMC 1/2 ton long bed with a Hydramatic Auto Tranny.
Although I have seen others with 4 and I think 3 spreed trannys.
They have a little extension shaft at rear of tranny and carrier bearing.

Does this setup have two u-joints?
1 at rear of tranny.
1 at rear of carrier.
Was this just a GMC thing or did Chevrolet also have these extension shafts.

According to TCLedermen Chevrolet 54 1/2 ton didn't have any long beds.
So that rules out Chevrolet 54 1/2 tons having any extension shafts.

I see no instructions on extension shafts in the 47-54 Chevrolet Factory Assembly Manual.

Thanks. This answers my question. I have a drive shaft on a 49 3600 that I believe will work

I've got a similar situation with my old pickup. It's a 1952 Chevy 3600 (3/4 ton) with a 3 speed on the column transmission. The transmission works fine, but leaks grease on both ends. It's one with the enclosed drive shaft to the hanger bearing about 2.5 feet behind the transmission. It leaks grease at the front and at the hanger bearing. Is this the same transmission that is in the 1/2 ton (3100) trucks? I see some gasket sets for them but they don't appear to have a seal for the shaft at the hanger
bearing. I'm unable to find much info on the 3600 drive train and repair parts. Can anyone give me guidance for obtaining instructions and locating parts for repairing these grease leaks?

Bill H , not to hi-jack 54 Belairs post, but here's a place to start:

The Shop Manual for the 52' isn't available but this should help-

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1948_51truck/index.htm

The parts manual should help you with the parts you will need.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/parts/1929_54/index.htm

I'll post any additional info I find. Bill, you might want to start a new post in the Driveline Forum for the questions you have. There are a lot of great folks on Stovebolt who are happy to help. Good luck.

Bill H

Looks like you just registered Today on Stovebolt forums.Welcome
Here is a 1952 CHEVROLET car & truck SPECIFICATIONS (restoration pack)
Go to TRUCK SPECIFICATIONS 2nd column Universal Joints and Propeller Shafts, page 135
or go HERE Vehicle Information Kits scroll down to Chevrolet Trucks click on Show find your year and click. same page 135

Vehicle Information Kits
Restoration Packs
Resto Packs
Chevrolet Car & Truck Specifications sheets
All are the same thing and have the same information, some may be clearer than others depending on how they were scanned into the computer.

As far as your truck, if you have the same extension shaft, then you must have a long bed.
Chevs of the 40s has Torque Tube Ball Seal Kit For Drive Line. Manual Transmission. 3/4 ton truck.
You will have to tell them you have a long box and I
think you will need 2 sets.
Call Northwest Transmission Parts ask for John if he does not have it, he will tell you where to find it.
He might just have everything you need to stop the gear lube from leaking.

Q.Is this the same transmission that is in the 1/2 ton (3100) trucks?
A. Yes

If you can take some pictures of your leaking drive train and post them here it would help.
If you need help linking pictures go HERE
If you need help just ask.

Does your drive shaft stay enclosed (hidden) all the way to the axle housing?