The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 3 speed swap

Hi all,
Though reading these posts for a couple of years, here is my first post. I have a 1950 1/2 ton chevy delux cab. I am replacing a bad 3-on-a-tree with a hopefully better one. The replacement is in, but it seems there is about a 1" gap between the trans u-joint piece and the u-joint pins that bolt to the trans u-joint. Does this make sense? I don't know all the words yet.The drive shaft (enclosed) does move about 1/2" or so back and forth, but not enough to close the gap I see. Any ideas? sure have loved reading all the interesting posts the last couple of years. Hope someone can help. Havn't found anyone out here in Sacramento yet to help me.

Lawrence :o

Welcome to the Stovebolt!! What did the replacement trans come out of? Though I don't think it matters - I mean the pickup and car trans were practically identical. I am sorry I am no help with your question. Maybe someone else will chime in. Stayed Tuned and good luck.

I am led to understand that the u-joint is connected and you are having trouble with the four bolts that connect the ball housing on the torque tube to the rear of the transmission. Was the rear of the truck on jack stands when you removed the old transmission and is it off the stands now as you are reassembling? Sometimes by raising the rear wheels the torque tube will move in and out and this may close the gap.
On my 49 I had the rear axle on stands when i took it apart but had it on the floor when i tried to assemble it. would not meet up until I raised the rear axle again. Worth a try.

Hi guys, thanks for the replys. The new transmission is from an AD truck, and measures the same length and all. Everything connects properly so far. I did realize that when the torque tube separated from the transmission, they sprang apart some; so there was some tension present. To answer olble49, the wheels were on the ground when I pulled the the transmission. A co-worker suggested I loosen the engine mounts to allow me to coaxe the torque tube and transmission together. There is only about 1/2" gap to pull together. Any other thoughts out there?

Lawrence

The torque tube is supposed to slide, and sometimes it can have a groove worn in it or just be bound up tight. I fought this problem too and ended up loosening up the seal, clamping the bell to the crossmember with some wood blocks and clamps, and bouncing up and down in the bed until it loosened up, then I got the play I needed to tighten it down.

The other way to do it would be to loosen the transmission bolts, slide the tranny back to meet the torque tube, attach it, then tighten them back up.

I would not loosen the motor mounts and I don't know if I would want to try bringing the trans back and then re-tightening it to the bell housing. Might work and I could be wrong. I would continue trying to get it in place by moving the whole unit by either jacking up the rear or as was mentioned jumping on it. The back axle pivots on the spring unlike an open drive where it is fixed. Pivoting allows the torque tube to move backwards and forwards.

It should come foreward some if the frame is jacked up and put on stands at the rear. I would be very leary of loosening the transmission to connect the driveline, as there is too much chance of the transmission input shaft hanging up on the pilot bushing and your breaking the ears off the transmission.