The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline torque tube leak help..please

I am working on restoring my 1953 3100. I am trying to eliminate the oil leaks. The seal at the tail of the transmission that connects to the torque tube leaks.
I have put on a new seal.. but where the seal sits... there is a groove the width of the seal.... and it leaks. Is there a fix for this? a different seal? Is it possible to resurface the torque tube so the seal will do its job. I would be appreciative of any help/advice/ knowledge.

There should not be a groove where the oil seal slides, the end of the torque tube should be smooth.

The only way I can think of, to fixing the problem would be to grind the groove out.
Or if the groove is deep you could braze or weld where the groove is, to build it up.
Then grind/file it smooth. Finish it up with some emery cloth.
GM film strip torque tube repair Slides 35 to 45
Note: Older car torque tube u-joint ball housings did not use a screw on retainer cap, just cork packing was used in the end of the ball housing. The ball housing end was formed to accept the cork packing oil seal and washers. Slide 42

Inside the screw on torque tube retainer cap, there should be one O-ring washer on each side of the rubber oil seal. illustration

A skilled welder/machinist could either shorten or lengthen the tube behind the ball to move the seal contact area to an unworn area of the torque tube. It would require a huge lathe with long bed ways and a center rest to spin the entire torque tube and carrier housing to smooth up a weld repair of the groove itself, and probably a tool post grinder to get an acceptable finish at the repair. That kind of work would probably cost considerably more than locating a replacement torque tube. Modifying the ball section would be a lot more practical, and less expensive.
Jerry

Thank you Jerry. I will have another look.