Reproduction Parts for 1916-1964 Chevrolet Passenger Cars & 1918-1987 Chevrolet & GMC Trucks


Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
#429048 07/31/19 10:24 PM
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 73
Likes: 2
Shade Tree Mechanic
OP Offline
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 73
Likes: 2
I recently came into possession of a '46 pickup truck and I am having to advance my knowledge and skills which mostly span the 4-cyl era up to 1928.

The 216 engine has been rebuilt and runs well. My first order of business was to fix the gas gauge by replacing the cork floats in the gas tank sending unit as they were eaten up by ethanol in the gas. That project was pretty straight forward and went well. However, the transmission shifts like a 4-cyl rock crusher and leaks front to back. Double clutching is required to prevent grinding the gears. Not that it's a problem but I thought by '46 they would have improved the "user experience" a bit with synchros. Along with the truck, I inherited a new 3.55 gear set plus all the parts to make it happen. I am thinking when I pull the diff to replace the gears, I should also pull the transmission and sort out the leaks and syncros. Any advice on dealing with the transmission? I understand the truck transmissions were top-shifting or "top-loaders" which are a little more rare and parts can be hard to find.

Thanks in advance.

Filling Station - Chevrolet & GMC Reproduction Parts


Filling Station


Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,700
Likes: 141
ChatMaster - 25,000
Offline
ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,700
Likes: 141
The 4 speed truck transmission was basically unchanged from 1929-1947 and requires double clutching. 1948 is a more modern syncronized 4 speed.


Gene Schneider
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 73
Likes: 2
Shade Tree Mechanic
OP Offline
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 73
Likes: 2
Thanks Gene,

My truck has the 3-speed.

Joined: May 2014
Posts: 73
Likes: 2
Shade Tree Mechanic
OP Offline
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 73
Likes: 2
Update: Thanks to the service manual, I was able to pull the transmission and rebuild it with new front and rear bearings, new synchronizer rings, and a small parts kit including needles and thrust washers. I also installed a new shift bushing and pin. While I was at it, I pulled the differential and changed the gears from 4.11 to 3.55. I also changed the carrier and pinion bearings, front bushing and seal, and finally the rear axle bearings and seals. Although it was a lot of work, I have to say much of it was easier to deal with than the old 4-cyl Chevys I'm used to wrenching on. The mechanics and designers must have had a meeting at some point between the 20s and the 40s. :)


Link Copied to Clipboard
Support The VCCA!

Enjoy the forum? Become a VCCA member! The World's Best Chevrolet and GMC Club!


Member Photos
1964 Chevrolet Impala SS
1964 Chevrolet Impala SS
by DreamChevy, February 17
My 1933 Chevy 2 Dr. Sedan
My 1933 Chevy 2 Dr. Sedan
by 1939Chevy1, November 24
Back on the road 79 years later
2 1927 Chevrolet Trucks
2 1927 Chevrolet Trucks
by 1927TRUCKS, June 7
Who's Online Now
2 members (modiol, 1 invisible), 63 guests, and 7 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
NeilA, Jayhicks, Tomvanhouten, Dads29Chevy, Tractorman
18,308 Registered Users
Today's Birthdays
SabrinaKarras, Speedy1
Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics59,072
Posts429,077
Members18,308
Most Online1,133
Jan 22nd, 2020
 

Notice: Any comments posted herein do not necessarily reflect the official position of the VCCA.

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5