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Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,059 Posts1,055,818 Members48,426 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 246 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 246 | the tranny in the 53 1/2 ton is pretty noisy and grinds when down shifting into 2nd from 3rd. Are these transmission worth rebuilding ? Are there even parts available ? IF parts are available, who has them ? Am I best off putting in a more modern 3 speed tranny. I have a floor shifter now..... Do I need to get rid of the Torque tube driveline to go with a new tranny ? Thanks....J
1953 chevy 1/2 ton with 3 speed 318 on floor and 1955 235 engine
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 442 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 442 | the parts are available, some thru vendors, parts suppliers, and some on eBay. I was fortunate to find mine on ebay years ago. so watch prices
Mike | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | That trans would be an SM-420, parts aviable. Novak in SLC.
Ed
Last edited by EdPruss; 08/02/2016 2:02 AM.
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires. '47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle. '54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed. '55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 246 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 246 | What would be a good more modern updated standard tranny to use in my 1953 1/2 ton to replace the old tranny I now have. I am not sure I want to rebuild the old one as it is geared quite low. (granny gear)
1953 chevy 1/2 ton with 3 speed 318 on floor and 1955 235 engine
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 442 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 442 | For anyones info: Obsolete Chevy parts, now bought out by Jim Carter truck parts, used to show the nessacary gears in their catalog, so I'm wondering if Carter has the gears etc. for sale
Just a thought Mike | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | Modern(?) 465's have a higher granny gear than 420's, although one might not notice the difference.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires. '47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle. '54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed. '55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | More modern than 1954?
You'd be going from an enclosed drive-shaft to an open driveshaft? You'd need a different drive-shaft, rear end, and rear springs?
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 246 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 246 | Looks like I will be rebuilding the existing tranny.....
1953 chevy 1/2 ton with 3 speed 318 on floor and 1955 235 engine
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 |
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires. '47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle. '54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed. '55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 246 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 246 |
1953 chevy 1/2 ton with 3 speed 318 on floor and 1955 235 engine
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | You say floor shift. Is that a converted 3 speed or a four speed?
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 246 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 246 | When I got the truck it had the 3 speed floor shift which I know was not available in 1953, but the engine is out of a 1955 Chevy so maybe the 3 speed is from 1955 ? I will be overhauling the tranny this winter and then will find out exactly what I have.
1953 chevy 1/2 ton with 3 speed 318 on floor and 1955 235 engine
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