Tranny or Drive Shaft in my broken 48 Ford ???

In a flash of wisdom I decided to dump the clutch in my 48' coupe with 200+ lbs of masonry concrete in the trunk and "clang, clatter, clunk, clunk" and fluid pouring out of the coupler where the tranny and torque tube join up. I did this about 40 minutes ago and haven't pulled anything yet. Do you think it's the tranny or the driveshaft? Not sure why all the fluid is pouring out but it is my only torque tube manual shift car and the only time I have ever busted one this way. Wondering where to start or if anybody has a diagnosis for me. Help.

PnG

 

Sounds like the tailshaft on the tranny went on holidays.........

 

Maybe the u joint in the torque ball?? Not sure. Hope its not the tailshaft

 

I think the next step is to pull the rear,,,,

 

sweet! id start lookin for a tranny...ask me how i know

 

Do I have to ask?

 

I say to look in the Classified ads for a tranny !
Why not consider getting a better trans and a trans adapter .
Just an idea that can take a beating !

Good Luck with your ride !

 

I always been pretty stuck on keeping my original drivetrain - it is a flathead powered car and generally a great one at that - drive her everyday and have been on 800 mile roundtrips with her with out a peep. I think that damn concrete in the trunk put me over the edge - she has 7X16 firestones on the rear so a little bias ply slip is usually harmless fun. My best guess at this point is I broke the tailshaft so I am just going to pick up another tranny and pull the rear - I wouldn't mind doin away with the damn torque tube. My 56 buick has a jacked dynaflow and I have been dreading the swap to an open driveline on that one as well -but I hear there are some good open drive conversions for the banjo in the 48. If I had a stinkin Columbia I think I would be as happy with the drive of that old 48 as I ever could be with any modern parts swaps. Just hard to come up with the clams for the Columbia. That bein said, everybody is on me to put a late model Chevy 5 spd in her with an adapter - sounds like fun...

 

That was a rhetorical question!!

Have fun, hope it's not too bad!

 

Even after 45 years of hot rodding, every once in a while I have flashes of wisdom like that as well. I have learned over the years to suppress these thoughts as they usually end up costing me money in terms of repairs, traffic tickets, ass kickings or all of the above. Damn, hate it when that happens. Hot rodding can be a tough way of life, full of surpises and head trips. My advise to you my brother is to keep your head on straight or your wallet close at hand. As Grace Slick once said, "Feed your Head". You'll learn.
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