Getting rid of torque tubes?

Advice needed, How do you get rid of the torque tube. Do you have to replace the trans and the rear end to put in a drive shaft ? or is there another way? Damn thing keeps leaking, cant plug it up.

 

Speedwaymotors.com sells an open driveshaft conversion.

 

You'll also need to sort out the rear axle location, as the torque tube is part of it. You'll probably need to fit a torque arm to triangulate the axle to the wishbones.

 

send it to me, i'll get rid of it!

actually, you can put a baffel in there to keep the grease from running down toward the tranny if thats your problem.

i would say leave it and seal it or just put a newer rear in, a banjo without a torque tube doesnt seem like a real banjo anymore to me

good luck with whatever you decide
zach

 

what motor/tranny?

you talkin' up through '48 ford banjo or gm torque tubes from the 30's - 50's?

i'm not askin' because i know how, but because i'd like to hear the answer for a '53 buick.

 

My bet is he's talking about a 60 buick with a Dynaflow.
It's been on here before I'm sure, and it's not that difficult.
As said before, you need to fabricate a way to locate the axle once the tube is gone. Make yourself a three link or four link set up.
Then get the pumpkin from a later Buick and have a driveshaft made to fit.
Easy right?

 

the rear is the easy part; i'm wonderin' about the tranny tailshaft.

 

That depends on the application.
For the most part....swap trannies.
On others you can swap around parts and get what you want.
Have you seen the other post today about open drive conversions?
Might have some info for you.
Have fun.

 

This is the stick shift '60 Buick, right? A '51-'60 Olds selector three speed should bolt up to your stock bell housing and give you an open drive tailstock, but the selector trans is probably what you're trying to get away from in the first place. If that's the case, you'd have to go for one of the just released aluminum bell housings that accepts a modern GM 3/4/5 speed.

 

Yeah, I guess your right. It would be simpliar to replace the bell housing, but its probably going to cost more money. I cant help from thinking how much money is too much money. Everyone knows there is a point where you think "if I ever sell this thing will I even get close to getting what I have in it back out". I dont want to own a $15,000.00 60 Buick Sedan, I dont think I will ever be able to sell it. I am one of those guys that gets sick of one car and moves on to the next. This 3 speed it pissing me off and I am getting frustrated.