'54 4 speed question

[ofnaman]

Can I convert my '54 4 speed to a standard driveshaft transmission from a torque tube type? If not what other options do I have for a trans that will mount up to a 216/235 engine? I found out today that I am missing some parts from my original torque tube rear end and I have a 4wd s10 rear end available that I am just going to run instead. Thank you

[Dan Bowles]

4x4 S10 is going to be too narrow without spacers or the right offset wheels unless you have a ZR2 rear end.

You can swap to a T5 with some effort.

[enick72]

The good thing is that it's not much effort. I bought a T5 for my 55 but put it in my 65 since its more of a daily driver and the process is pretty easy and they are usually found fairly cheap. I'm no expert by any stretch but I have heard that the torque tubes are not a very good design to begin with so you may be better off going with an open drive line.

[ofnaman]

What would I get a t5 out of? also, what is required to make it fit?

[Dan Bowles]

S10 or Camaro. You might try a search. There a lot of them done. There is a whole thread of putting a T5 behind a 235 on the HAMB and I'm positive there is info here, you just need to do a bit of research.

You will need to do some clutch disc investigation as well as that for cross members. I've had a majority of the parts 2-3 times but have ended up selling the truck or the car before I got to it!

[Steve@OldSub.com]

Originally Posted by enick72

I have heard that the torque tubes are not a very good design to begin with so you may be better off going with an open drive line.

Interestingly a current model Corvette uses a torque tube. Its more complex but from an engineering standpoint the approach has some real advantages.

[sweet70beast]

The torque tube in the Corvette goes from the engine to the trans that's mounted in the back. For anyone interested.

[1enick72]

You would need an S10 T5, a spacer plate from Hamilton Intakes, a 14 spline clutch disc and a drive shaft.
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[enick72]

keeping the 6cyl. you won't have any strength issues and an S10 has the shifter further forward. There are a few things you can do to prevent buying the spacer plate that others here have done.


I'm thinking that the tourque tube in the new vette has a few advancements since the 40s. I don't have one I have only read and have been told.

[Dan Bowles]

Do a bit of research before you jump. You need to make sure you get the right S10 T5 or if you get a Camaro one, you may have to verify the splines (there is a World Class and Non World Class with different spline counts). It isn't that hard, just know what you are looking for BEFORE you buy. The Camaro shifter ends up under the seat or almost there.

You probably want an S10 with a mechanical speedo to save grief but an electrical gauge and an electric speedo is easier to calibrate. At one point the S10 changed bolt patterns, though, and went common with Ford. I think 92 or so.

You can change tailshafts and get the S10 shift position into a Camaro trans. You probably will have to mess with speedo bushing if you do this, however.

If you shave off the end of the input shaft and trim back the throw out collar, you don't have to but the spacer. Search the HAMB for "Putting a T5 behind my 235" and you'll find lots of info (www.jalopyjournal.com/forum) I suspect there is as much info here if not more because it will be truck related here rather than car but I'm more familiar with that thread.

Good luck.

[raycow]

Originally Posted by ofnaman

Can I convert my '54 4 speed to a standard driveshaft transmission from a torque tube type? If not what other options do I have for a trans that will mount up to a 216/235 engine?

Your stock bellhousing will accept any 3 or 4 speed Chevy passenger car transmission made since 1955. You can also use any truck transmission 55-67. The T-5 already mentioned is an excellent choice because it has overdrive and shifts very easily. I put one in my 60, replacing the stock 4 speed, and IMO it is the best thing I ever did to the truck.

If you like your present truck 4 speed, you can convert it to open drive by replacing the output shaft and rear bearing retainer. However, you can also buy a complete open drive 4 speed for about the same price as the parts and save yourself a good bit of work. There are a ton of these transmissions out there for sale cheap because they usually outlast the trucks they came in.

Ray