VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 Torque tube Questions

The idea is to use the speedometer on my other 48 car. Its own speedometer was so badly vandalized by kids that only the shell is left.
I have already a reserve speedometer,in miles, that I am planing to modify exactly the way you mention. The only reason I am looking one in Kilometers is that the counter will also record kilometers instead of miles.
Its hard to describe my second *Fleetmaster* so I better let you see a couple of photos. Its back home in Greece and its gone be my eventual retirement project.

http://s875.photobucket.com/albums/ab317/Jianis/Chevy48%20Fleetmaster%20truck/

The appropriate name for it should rather be *Frankenstein Senior*

Jianis

Denny,
Sorry I don't have answers to your questions, but is your '47 three-speed transmission for sale? If so, what condition is it in and how much would you sell it for?

Best of luck with your project,
Roy

Denny,

Please excuse my question about you transmission. After reading your question more thoroughly I realize you're not replacing the transmission with the '53 Powerglide.

Regards,
Roy

Did you ever swap the gears & etc for ypour 47 from a 53?? I want to do the same. And did you get any good info? I found a 53 rear that has a automatic in it.

FWIW, In '54 & '55 I had a very good '47 club coupe. A friend stuffed a '51 3.55 (automatic) ring & pinion in it. As a result, I had a ball with it. Granted, it was just a bit slow off the line til it rolled a few feet. Then, it was OK. However, it ran much faster in low and 2nd and did a fine job in 3rd. Naturally, the speedo was off (which never bothered me). Top end was amazing for a 216,

Being young and insane, I drove that ol' 216 hard as it would go. It never complained. At that time, I didn't know about the 3.70 '53 & '54 gearing. Looking back, perhaps a 3.70 might have been a better combination than the 3.55 (?). I sure had fun with the 3.55 gear (incidently, that includes Signal Mountain)!

I'm betting if you put the '53 3.55 in your Chevy you'll never regret it. If I could find a good 3.55 or 3.70 near Chattanooga, I'd be on it quick to go in my '41.

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I have a 47 StyleMaster with the 4.11 rear end and I want to put a 3.55 in it. I have a line on a rear axle center + torque tube from a 50-54 powerglide car. Can I swap in the 3.55 ring & pinion gears only, or do I have to change the torque tube, too?
John

Motor, I've only been here a short time but I suppose I can say, "Welcome".

IMHO, the best, easiest way to go is to use the later PG rear gear assy with the later torque tube & drive shaft still attached to it. That way, it is a simple swap. You might do a search. There is a lot of info on such swaps here.

You'll love the higher rear gear ratio! Wish I could find a good one within 100 miles of Chattanooga for the '41.

Thanks Gaither. I'll make sure I pick up the entire assembly. I'm looking forward to cruising comfortably at 60+ without straining the engine.
John

John, if you haven't already, you might go over the 3 pages of this thread - lots of good info here. A "search" will get you even more info. These good guys know their Chevy stuff.

I'd sure put a 3.55 or 3.70 in my '41, if I could find one nearby. Let us know how you come out.

Good luck!

Gaither,
Yes, there is a wealth of good info in this forum.
To give you an update, I acquired a 3.55:1 rear end off Ebay and had it shipped via Greyhound bus from Iowa to Michigan. It was the center section plus the torque tube. The guys who are helping me with my car have installed it but the car isn't driveable yet so we'll have to wait for that report. I have to wait for the weather up here to break anyway. I'll let you know how it runs once we get it on the road.
John W.

John, thanks for the update. Folks here will be interested in your results (which will be good).

I haven't shipped by Greyhound in years so I am courious. Did you have to crate or package the torque tube & gearset or did they take it "bare"? Was the cost expensive?

I'm looking for a '55, '56 or '57 3.70 (stick shift) Chevy rearend (or even a 4.11). 'Makes me wonder if bus would be a good shipper for it.

Thanks

Gaither

Gaither,
The Ebay seller did a nice job packaging the entire torque tube and center rear axle in cardboard for shipping. It wasn't cheap - shipping cost was around $120. I was considering making the trip from Detroit to Iowa to pick it up myself, but it would have cost me 2 days time + gas + hotel, so I wouldn't have saved any money that way. The Greyhound web site has more info, including online shipping quotes: www.shipgreyhound.com

John

John - Thanks much.

Gaither

HI
i have a 48 stylemaster and just purchased a 235 to swap the engine
if i get a 53/54 auto torque tube can i keep the 3 speed manual?
i want to be able to get on the highway and cruise at 65/75 speeds

thanks

Yes you can use the later torque tube with your 1948 transmission. You will notice that the torque tube is larger in diameter, a 1951 improvement.