VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Trucks and Vans 38 1/2 retro with 38 sedan bell& trans. ??

Presently I have a 50s 4speed and bellhousing, with a 50s rear, the torque tube has been shortened. To center the wheels in the fender opening I need about 3 inches. The 50,s and a original 4 speed are too long. The 38 sedan 3 speed would allow this, (IF I can make it happen).I know the truck bell has a different bolt pattern and will not accept the sedan trans. The sedan bell has different mounts and I'm curious as to making or acquiring mounts to make this adopt to the truck. Anybody done this ?

Also IS a truck 3 speed shorter ??

I am not vying for a full restoration NOR a daily driver,or a hauler But from all appearance an original 38 !!
ANY SUGGESTIONS ????????

I suggest you contact Patrick's in AZ, unless you get some good info from some of the Chevy Chat guys.

Patrick's

Bill.

Surely some one has either went this route, or installed a 4 speed in a sedan, the reverse of my project.
I called "Patricks", he makes conversions, and recommends later transmission conversions and open driveline. The stovebolt page is a joke, thats their forte, V8 later transmission,disk brakes,open driveline.
I don't want to go fast, shucks there isn't a freeway within 100 miles of here, the nearest signal lite 60. I don't like automatics,with 5 vehicles the 1959 DeSoto(restored)is our only automatic.
I am attempting to keep this Pickup original, except the mild conversion of a sedan rear and 5 lug wheels, that hubcaps would disguise.
I have owned and driven this PU for 40+ years.
Will that make you chatty ?

Here's hoping somebody reads your post. Maybe Lou (in Berkeley, CA) will see it. He's REAL good with pick-ups and about your vintage....

Bill.

The 37-39 car and truck 3 speed transmissions share almost all internal parts except for the main shaft. The truck trans. is longer than the car trans. I'm guessing here but the truck 3 speed may be made longer to make it the same length as the 4 speed so they could be interchanged easily.
If you are changing to a car rearend for faster gears, you can retain the 6 hole wheels by using a housing and axles from a 42-46 passenger car. The differential and torque tube stuff plugs into the housing without modification. I do not know about track width, spring mounting etc.

Mike

The 1937-38 truck 3 and 4 speeds are the same length. The car 3 speed is a little more than 2" shorter.
The truck 3 speed was made longer so it could interchange with the 4 speed with out changing the length of the torque tube.

OK thanks Fellows. So I will eliminate the Truck 3 speed as an option.
Now, regarding the sedan 3 speed, it will not mate to the Truck Bellhousing. So, it will be necessary to use the sedan bellhousing, But the motor mounts are different, or GM put the cross member in the wrong place (just joking). No kidding that would be the problem, motor mounts, this is where I need suggestions.The sedan mounts are in the front, the truck on the side rear
Please be aware I salvaged this truck from the crusher, it was more than well used and wore out,why it has the sedan rear end, truck parts were more expensive, nothing was available I could afford.

Sometimes through conversations and the thought process, you end up way off the mark on what you are trying to accomplish. Using what you have on hand may not be the best answer. Instead of putting together something that will require the amount of work you are obviously willing to put into the project, why not locate the correct transmission and rear end to do the project without all the hoop jumping? Those parts shouldn't be that hard to find and the cost shouldn't break the bank. It seems like the better and easier choice at this point.

Joe

I will be taking the 3 speed and torque tube rear out of my 37 in the next couple weeks,the trans and rear are from a 38. I am in Ohio and the parts will be very reasonable. Jeff

I forgot to mention its a 37 1/2 ton.

There ya go, wheezer geezer!

Joe

I am going to start the removal of the trans and rear end tomorrow so if your interested let me know.

Its out and the trans might be out friday.

My-My How topics get blowed out of proportion.
I have 2 1937 fourspeed Transmissions. One 37 truck rearend, and one 1938 Sedan rearend, AND, AnD one 1938 sedan 3 speed AND one 1938 sedan Bellhousing.
For the last 40 years I have run a 49/50 sedan rearend, I had mated to the 37 fourspeed. About 30 years ago I "upgraded" to a 50's synchromesh 4 speed. AT THIS TIME I had the torque tube shortened.
To compensate for the Tires to center in the Fender Wells the rear needs to slide forward approximately 3 inches. This is an easy fix with the 1938 sedan Bellhousing and three speed transmission. I also want to eliminate the oversized 4 speed.
MOTOR MOUNTS and/or adaptor is my question.
All other "HOOPS" were jumped thru years ago.
Sorry for the delayed reply as we were in route to Texas for the winter.

They seem to get a life of their own sometimes and I have a idea so here it is,weld perches on your original rear and then get a late 50s or early 60s center section so it can be converted to a open drive shaft and get a modified bellhousing from buffalo enterprises or jim carters and then you can use a saginaw,muncie or any modern GM trans.