VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 49 stick vs 52 power glide driveline

A friend of mine has offered me a 52 powerglide driveline (complete rear end with torque tube. I know many components are the same 49-52 so my question:.... is it a direct swap putting a 52 power glide into a currently 3 speed?? I'm wanting to take the 4:11 out of my 50. (we believe the 52 is a 3.55 but will open it up to be sure before hand)

Thanks for input.

I doubt there will be any difference other than there may be a difference in the part that covers the U-joint. If so, merely slip yours off the removed driveline and use it instead.

No need to examine the one out of the 52 because if it's out of car came came with the power-glide transmission, then it will be a 3:55. The torque tube will reward of the front sleeve will have a larger circumference which won't matter. The 1950 had a torque tube the same size (circumference) as yours now has. The 51 power-glide was the first power-glide torque tube that was larger in circumference.

If I'm wrong here, I hope someone will set me straight and you straight.

Good luck with it.

Charlie

Pretty easy swap. When I did mine I just used the center section and torque tube but you may want the better brakes with the '52 rear end. The swap took a friend and me a Saturday afternoon. There is pretty much a step by step on ChevyTalk 49-54 forum.

Well, Dean 50 is correct. In 1951 they did toss the old Huck brake system and went to Bendix brakes.

Best,

Charlie

Thanks guys. I love the Bendix brakes but I have already reworked/replaced all the brake system. I "might" just change the torque tube. Moving slow these days so it may take a while....its up to the cardiologist!.(ugh)

This thread has raised an interesting question for me.

Would it be a good idea to put Bendix brakes on the rear while keeping Huck brakes on the front?

I wouldn't expect to have any problems with the mix. The major difference is how the shoes are centered so each touch the drums simultaneously.

Hi Chipper,

My question was based on the “marketing” hype that Bendix brakes were supposed to better at self-energizing than the Huck design. The last thing you want is for the rear brakes to lock up before the fronts.

They are definitely easier to adjust!

I thought the Bendix brake shoes were wider and therefore better?

I was assuming that the huck brakes were properly adjusted when I commented. Just to be sure changing the front braking plates and assembly to Bendix might be an option.