VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION New User Forum 1958 Trans/Driveshaft????

I have owned a 1958 Chevy Belair about 2 months. 350/400 Turbo TB Fuel Inj. I stepped into it real hard (yeah, I know) and this horrible sound came from under driver side. Long story shorter -took it in, was told tranny mount, $$$ it actually was, I saw the broken one. This solved the thumping from underneath but the car still has a horrible crunching/grinding like sound with loss of torque upon acceleration, from what seems like right from under driver’s seat. Engines runs strong/tranny shifts good. I have been all over and NO ONE has a clue or has offered the stupidest suggestions. Anyone?

Hester
Welcome to Chat.
A stupid suggestion is the front universal joint (generally doesnt cause loss of torque) could be on the way out though I am surprised it wasnt noticed when they changed the trans mount as they are close together.
Tony

Knowing the engine and tranny are good start as Tony suggest with the universal joint and also check the yoke and joint at the rear axle and then the differential itself. If you find the ujoints are bad and replace them I would still drop the oil in the rear axle and check for metal. Lots of applied torque in the drive train can cause damage in many areas. I would not drive it until the problem is found as you will just do more damage.

Very kind response thank you

Thank you very much seems like a nice place to hang out.. think i will stay, I have owned more than a few muscle classic cars-If I can be of assistance I will-thx again

H

check how far into the tailshaft the yolk inserts. if the splines are only making a 1/2" or so of contact, the yolk could be wobbling on the tailshft. i suspect whoever installed the 350/turbo 400 had to shorten the driveshaft. if its shortened too much, and the splines of yolk/tailshaft are barely contacting, that could be your problem. mike

The '58 passenger car has a two piece prop`shaft. It has a U-joint at the front of the front half and a u-joint at each end of the rear half (three total). It also has what is called a center bearing support assembly that is somewhat hidden inside the frame X member. It is a large, approx. 5 inches in dia. ring, that has a rubber center to support and maintain the assembly centered within the frame center X member. I'm betting that the rubber bushing is either missing or in bad repair. Grasp the prop shaft at the exit area of the frame and attempt to move it vertically or laterally. If you can move the assembly that's more than likely your problem.

Dick, Great thought. I had forgotten about the center support on those cars. They and the trucks are very prone to higher speed vibration due to deterioration of the support.

Seeing that the OP noted he got carried away with the horsepower of his car I would guess that his failure is due to shock load. Deterioration from age and wear occur over time while the poster indicated this was a sudden failure. Whatever the failure is it is best to check all driveline components . Even if a ujoint is bad or yoke or axle shaft knowing that the failure was caused by shock load there is the possibility that other components could be damaged or ready to fail.

I have read on other forum where "new owners" take their recently "back to life 216" cars down the highway, then state how it ran for hours at 70 M.P.H.

Tough car, they explain ..... "go for it bro" are comments from onlookers, as well.

The enemy is the AGE of the collective components, travelling down the road at 70 ... reading the story while we place imaginary bets as to which part will explode first.

Then we see the carnage on the 6 o'clock news.

Now it's more than just a story that we read on a forum.

Someone is lost, forever.

Thank you, I have copied all these responses into a document and following upon each one

That was funny right there don't care who you-cause I knew better

Carrier Bearing

Hester I am guessing by your post that you have found the centre bearing or its support had given out.
Tony