Not sure what kind of "adapter" you mean? Are you looking at changing your truck from a column shifter to a floor mounted style (mounted to the transmission case/tailshaft housing) shifter, or something else???
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
Actually the easiest way to do that is to replace the closed drive shaft SM318 3 speed with a later open drive SM318 from a Task Force truck.
From my previous thread reading, I'm pretty sure others have done that very swap. Perhaps those that have will chime in with their experience and input?
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
Find a 1955 or later transmission from a Chev pickup or passenger car. It will have an open drive shaft and it will be a better transmission. The old "peanut" transmissions were never offered with an open drive shaft and no one ever produced one.
Since you'll need to fabricate a custom driveshaft anyway, try swapping to a Saginaw 3 speed with a synchronized 1st. gear. With a little creative fabri-cobbling on the shift linkage you'll still be able to use your original column shift setup.
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Slm, I see that you are a few posts shy of graduating from "Moderated Status". Make a few more posts so that we can exchange via PM. I have exactly what Hotrod Lincoln is describing. A 1965 Saginaw 3 speed transmission with all of the shifter arm and shifting linkages modified for tree on the tree in an AD truck. Send me a PM once you are no longer in moderated status for more info.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
BTW - Your next post won't require moderation approval, so you'll be able to send 52Carl a PM if your inclined to pursue his offer to share information.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
A good machine/welding shop could fabricate a conversion to open driveline for your original transmission, but the cost and labor time would be considerable. Swapping to a later model transmission would definitely be a better option. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Sjm - I guess I hadn't seen this offering from Chev's of the 40's. Looks like that's what you are looking for, but boy is that a Big Chunk Of Change$$$ Ouch!
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
That one looks like it uses as extension housing and a stub shaft that plugs into the original universal joint. Wouldn't it be simpler (and shorter) to just use the front half of the torque tube u joint with a flange that bolts to it, since the replacement housing doesn't pivot? That would also eliminate one source of vibration and possible failure. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
I had no idea anyone was offering something like this. I have a 54 that I'm considering open drive shaft, but I have several 55 and newer transmissions and some 55 or newer rears. I still think that is a much simpler approach. And much cheaper. I have done it before. I weld the swing suspension while the closed drive shaft is still in it and then use the 55 and newer drive shaft.
Looks like these folks may be building/supplying these for resale through Chev's of the 40's?
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
Why not just mate a short Turbo 350 extension housing and output shaft to the torque tube transmission case, and make an adapter flange to mate with the front section of a torque tube universal joint? Then the speedometer drive, slip yoke bushing, fluid seal, and slip yoke will all be over the counter parts. That would drop the price by a bunch! Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
