Technical 1955 Chevy front Wheel Bearing issues

front hubs from a 61-68 full size Chevy car, and use the bearings and grease seal for that car

 

I was taught that you adjust them "neither tight nor loose" 54 years ago when I was a sophomore in high school autoshop and it has served me well ever since. I'd think the 33 ft lbs was a typo and should be 33 inch lbs.
I've always snugged the nut down, then backed it off and then turned it back to take all the slack out and put the cotter key in. I probably haven't lost 3 wheel bearings that were good when I packed them in the past 54 years. I do pack them by hand and work the grease in the bearing and not just smearing it on the bearing.

One more thing, I have never washed a bearing that I intended to use again in solvent of any kind. The solvent won't let the new grease stick to the bearing.
I've replaced too many bearings that someone before me hadn't packed right and the bearing failed in short order. There is definitely a correct way and a lot of wrong ways to pack wheel bearings.

 

from the 1955 SHOPmanual... as he says and shows is the way to do it

 

You need to use a short fiber grease. Texaco still makes it. I bought 5 gallons as that is all they had.

 

Just for your info.I finally fixed this problem. I found 61 Chevy hubs on ebay , got a set of new bearings, seals and dust caps from rockauto and my 55 Chevy rides as smooth as silk. Best improvement I ever made on this car... thanks for your help, guys!