The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline torque tube maintenance

I just picked up the oldest truck ive ever owned... a 1940 chevy 1/2 pickup... 235 chevy 6 with dual carbs/exhaust...3.55 rear gears... runs/drives good... still want to check the truck out before I drive it much.. has original driveline and lever shocks also

which gets to my main question ... what maintenance and what parts should I check on the torque tube system? Ive never owned one before so have some learning to do... I would like to keep the driveline original and not switch to open driveline but still have it capable and be mechanically sound to use as daily driver... maybe a longer trip or 2 also..

thanks..

You need to regularly check the fluid levels in the transmission and the rear end.
The fluid for the front u-joint (inside the torque ball) is supplied by the transmission.
If your seal in the torque tube leak, the fluid inside the torque ball will leak into the rear end.
This will result in a low level in the transmission and an over-filled situation in the rear axle.
Carl

This weekend I crawled under the truck and inspected whole driveline... it looks like the rear transmission mounts have been modified/changed... the rear mounts that attach the bellhousing to the cross-member are not bolted down and a newer cross-member was installed behind the transmission that bolts to the rear of the transmission... it doesn't look like a hack job as all the pieces look finished... looks like a kit was installed and not home made

anyone have an idea of what kit was installed .. or why? all the correct pieces (engine/trans/torque tube) in the correct location... dont understand the reason for modified mounts

Id try and post picture but don't have very good luck in past