Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,037 Posts1,055,582 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!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | 
#12350 04/02/2003 12:50 AM | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,745 Member | | Member Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,745 | Ok, I acquired this torque tube with center section that has the Patrick's 3.55 conversion installed. I talked to Patrick and he said the easiest thing to do was to just replace my whole torque tube with this one. That way I wouldn't have to do any of the tedious adjustments.
My question is, what should I do to this torque tube before I install it? Is there anything I should replace? I assume the front joint? Anything else? I never had this apart before so don't know what to expect. My own torque tube works great without any leaks.
54 3100 with 235
62 flatbed dump C60 with 261
| | |
#12351 04/02/2003 1:11 AM | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 | Send it to me and I'll try it out for a few year and see how well it works. 
Paint & Body Shop moderator
A lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic. | | |
#12352 04/02/2003 1:43 AM | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,745 Member | | Member Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,745 | Shucks, if I didn't have a truck to put it in I might consider it...
:rolleyes:
54 3100 with 235
62 flatbed dump C60 with 261
| | |
#12353 04/02/2003 5:05 AM | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,096 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,096 | Yeah ,, check the okie bushing at the top end , though if someone went to the trouble and expense of installing the Patricks gears , you would think they would have sorted the rest . | | |
#12354 04/03/2003 3:43 PM | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,745 Member | | Member Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,745 | I guess I will just slap it in there then. :rolleyes:
54 3100 with 235
62 flatbed dump C60 with 261
| | |
#12355 04/03/2003 4:26 PM | Joined: Jul 2000 Posts: 962 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2000 Posts: 962 | Check gear contact pattern, bearing condition, gear backlash, gear tooth condition, etc. If it all checks out, slap it in there.
good luck
chip
Preaching the Hot Rod Gospel according to the 4-stroke apostles:
Suck, Squish, Fire and Fumes
| | |
#12356 04/03/2003 4:38 PM | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,745 Member | | Member Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,745 | Thanks.
So, I am thinking I will buy new gaskets for the front and rear of the axle housing, whatever gaskets fit at the front of the tube and a new U joint.
I will inspect the axle bearings and seals and just clean everything out before reinstall.
54 3100 with 235
62 flatbed dump C60 with 261
| | |
#12357 04/03/2003 4:40 PM | Joined: Jul 2000 Posts: 962 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2000 Posts: 962 | Fel-Pro makes a torque tube gasket kit for the Ujoint bell. I bought mine from National Chevy Assoc in St Paul, MN. But I bet if you pester the kid at NAPA enough, he may be able to find it in a Fel-Pro catalog or Fel-Pro help line.
good luck
chip
Preaching the Hot Rod Gospel according to the 4-stroke apostles:
Suck, Squish, Fire and Fumes
| | |
|
|
