The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline GMC long bed (1/2t) torque tube seal/retainer

Hello,
I´ve got a 1951 GMC long bed 1/2t truck (Model 102-22) with leaking seals on the front of torque tube. Who knows how part n°10 (housing ball) see on my attachment is fixed to the front shaft housing?
On the second part of torque tube there is n° 13 and n°14 Packing and packing retainer....I´ve got the set of spare parts (2 small rings (packing)....but no seal n°14 for the front....?!
Does anyone did that job on his truck and knows what to do to fix and seal the front part without the retainer?

Thank you for your help!

Sven

Hello, Sven,

I am away from home for a few days, and I am away from my documentation.
If you get no replies here by Monday, I'll post photos and information on Monday

USA Chevrolet did not have a 1/2 ton longbed until around late 1955 or 1956. I do not know if the 3/4 ton Chevrolet parts were the same parts as used on your GMC.

You might want to join the oldGMCtrucks duscussion board. There are members there who have replaced those parts (and, who know sources for those parts). I'll contact one of them in Monday.

https://oldgmctrucks.infopop.cc/eve/forums?csra=Y&s=272004236

Good luck, Tim

Hi Tim,
Thank you for your reply!

I found on:

http://oldchevytrucks.com/blog/index.php/2010/02/gmc-long-bed/

that this configuration (1/2 ton long bed) was only built from GMC.

(article attached)


Sven

you need parts AA and AB

AA is probably the same as used/provided in the 1/2 ton kit.
I do not think that AB, the metal rings, are provided in the 1/2 ton kit (but, they are used in 1/2 tons).

Hi Tim,
I made a registration and a post on "oldgmctrucks". I found dierctly a post with similar problem and my additional question was directly replyed by the guys. My problem is solved1
Thank you ....this was a great help from you!
Sven

What's the answer? You can't just leave us on the edge of our seats.
Carl

Thanks for the feedback, Sven

There are very good and knowledgeable people on that discussion board.

Carl,

the solution is that the Classic Industries seal kit includes two seal rings. One for front and one for the rear retainer. Its not nescessary to use both at the rear (as shown in my first drawing). I just have the job done.
The main issue on the front seal (retainer) is that this fixation is not very good and I think it will leak sooner or later. The guys from oldgmctruck suggest to replace the retainer/seal combination with a new machined ring with "modern" NAPA seal.
If leaking happens again I will do the improvement as a winter job.

Sven

Boy, the stuff they did back then just to make the torque tube fit a few extra inches of bed.
Nice picture Sven, never would of believed it unless you showed it.

Thanks for the reply Sven!
Two torque balls. Twice the "fun".

(Boy, the stuff they did back then just to make the torque tube fit a few extra inches of bed.
Nice picture Sven, never would of believed it unless you showed it.)

Yes this is a weak point but I like the "long" body shape from the long bed Pick Up in combination with the differential ratio of a 1/2t truck (and the possibility to find exchange parts for improvment of doifferential ratio).
My first truck was a 3/4 t long bed (with the normal open propeller shaft = easy to fix if there´s a problem). But the rear axle (ratio) was not confortable to drive on German highways.