The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts drive train noise

Howdy I have a 47 chevy coe with a 292 straight 6, 4 speed and a brown and lipe 4 speed and a 2 speed rearend. Lately my drive train as started making alot of noise - it does not sound good at all. Think I am going to have to have it worked on.
I was wondering what kind of prices might be expected for a tranny rebuild? Compared to maybe a new overdrive tranny, just curious as to some of your opinions. I use the truck just for fun and the heavyiest thing it hauls now days is a model T. Anyone know an honest skilled rebuilder in the so cal area? thanks Tom.

What sort of noise are you hearing. Are you sure it is the transmission?

Tom Lovejoy,

Your truck sounds very nice, and with 20 forward gears, I'm sure it has no problem hauling the model T.

The transmission in your rig is probably a SM420 which is a very stout and straight forward box. These are easy to rebuild, and are very popular with the Jeep crowd.

My son lives in Huntington Beach...tons of Jeep people and 4-wheelers. I don't know where you live in so-cal, but If you find a 4-wheel shop, ask them about a source for rebuilding your transmission..they just might lead you to something.

My personal thought would be to keep your COE intact with its existing drive train. The SM420 with the brownie and two speed is pretty cool..especially with a 292 leading the show.

Before you decide anything, you should determine where the problem is...it could be as minor as a bad center bearing (if it has one)!

And welcome to the Stovebolt....

Stuart

Check the oil in the tranny and rear before tearing anything apart. You might be able to see small metal shavings in them. How does the truck make noise? Driving straight, turning? Fast or slow? Also might be wheel bearings? Sometimes its hard to pinpoint from inside the cab.

My pinion bearing went out in my 53 1/2 ton and made this horrible sheet metal scraping sound. Thought for sure it was something else.

Welcome to the bolt, stick around these guys know it all!

Jeff

I,m with Rustednuts. Grab the yoke on the rear end with the trans. in neatral. There should be no or no more than a tiny bit of up or down motion. Jack up a rear wheel & turn the drive shaft. Listen for grinding noises in the carrier brg. or gear housings. Jack each wheel up & turn it listening for noises. Give us a little more info & we will probably get a good idea where the noise is comeing from. A noise that loud shouldent be too hard to find.

Way to go guys, I really appreciate the feedback. Today I got under the truck with my ears on and did what you suggested. The best I can tell, the noise is coming from my Brown and lipe tranny. Sounds like the bearings are going to pieces, Also I have noticable up and down play in it. I wont drive it again, and I will hit the 4 wheel shops right away for info or names of a rebuilder. I am about 29 miles from Huntington Bch, north west roughly- just south of L.A.
I replaced all wheel bearings about three years ago, believe their good. The truck is kind of a blast and I have fun with it. I got it so I could haul my model T and or old motorcycles. It does both well and always attracks a crowd at events. Still needs lots of work, but it has proved pretty darn relaible - never been towed yet, knock on wood.
Mighty slow though, I am the slowest thing on the freeway. On the flat I can run about 52 mph at about 2,800rpms, dont think I have ever passed anyone :-)but I dont worry much about getting run over. Thanks again for the replys, I will keep you posted, Tom.