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| | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 | I have a 53 with the enclosed drive shaft. If I decide to change that to an open drive shaft can a 55-59 be used? Would it be as easy as taking the original off and bolting the 55-59 back in its place? Is there a better rear end to use that would be a 'drop in' or easy replacement.
TIA
Dennis
-there is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer-
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 874 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 874 | That wouldn't be a direct bolt in. You would have to change the spring perch location....not a big deal though.
The '55-'62 third member will also bolt right in to your 53 housing to give you an open drive line. You just have to weld the pivoted spring mounting points on your original housing. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,215 Moderator | | Moderator Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,215 | Can you just put an open drive shaft into the old transmissions? I hear that the tranny fluid lubricates the front U joint in the old torque tube drive lines. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 769 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 769 | You will need a newer trans. 1955 and newer.
Question, are the TF rear ends the same width as the AD rear ends? | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 874 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 874 | If your transmission is a 4 speed SM420 you can convert it to open drive by swapping out the rear bearing retainer with one from a '55-'67.
Also, most if not all '48 to '54 Big Bolts were open drive line as well. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,983 Master Gabster | | Master Gabster Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,983 | Other options for a rear would be Nova/Camaro late 70s/early 80s. They might be a little easier to find than the 55/59 unless you already have one in hand.
~Jim
| | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | If you can find a '55 first rear end and springs, they will bolt right in. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 30 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 30 | I have a 53 as well and swapped in a motor/trans rearend and driveshaft from a 57 panel of mine. Since the axle on the 53 is under the spring and the 57 has it on top of the spring you have to put a new mount on it anyway...so I did move teh center pin to locate teh axle in the middle of teh fender. The driveshaft was a bolt in with this modification. use the 53 bellhousing to keep you mounts the same , but add the center mount to the 57 motor up front | | |
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