Torque tube or not? That is the question.

So I'm almost done with my 50 Flathead build for my 41 Ford pickup. I have a 50 Ford manual trans with O/D also. Now I'm wondering if I've made the right choice. To run this trans I have to do an open driveline conversion, which I expected to do, but before I dive into the open driveline conversion I figure I'd ask the HAMB oracles their opinion. I'm sticking to a Banjo rear, bigger rear tires, and floor shift. What I want in the end is higer than 1:1 in top gear. Here are the two ways I can do this:

1. Open Driveline - Requires new custom trans mount, a custom drive shaft, a reinforcement bar to replace the torque tube strength, and an open driveline conversion for the Banjo. I'll also have to figure out the floor shifter placement. I'm gonna go with manual selection of the O/D or not, so the electrical O/D problems are not an issue.

2. Torque Tube - simple adaptor from the 50 motor to 41 3 speed trans, will have to rebuild the stock 3 speed, will buy a different banjo gear ratio kit for higher than 1:1. I'll solve the ratio at the banjo with this option.

Thanks ahead of time for any thoughts.

Mike

 

if you ever have to do a clutch job you'd rather not have a torque tube-george

 

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I'd like to hear about the simple adaptor from TT to trans. I have a couple of unemployed 49-53 transmissions I would consider for a future project if I could easily keep the TT.

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Ack! Sorry Grimlok, I should not be writing this stuff on a Friday. That should have read: simple adapter from 50 MOTOR to stock 41 trans.

The torque tube, of course, would already be connected to the 41 trans.

 

Torque tubes ****! Open drive is MUCH better.

 

Hi Mike! If you're like me and have a conservative driving style, I would stick with the torque tube setup. Just make sure everything is in good shape from the flywheel back. I'd get a '42 to '48 sideloader car donor trans with decent innards and swap it into your case along with a later shift tower, one with double detents in the fork slide rods for more positive shifting. A set of 3.54's in the rearend and you're off and running! Hope this helps! Regards, Dave.

 

The original Ford boxes ****s.
Stump pulling low first useless second, you end up driving on third most of the time.
id go for a modern five or even six speed .

But im to lazy and i dont want to have my 42 off the road the time it takes to do the shift. So if i was building from start id go the modern open driveshaft route.

Now i have a Lincoln ge****t i will mount any year now, and ive made a downpayment on a 3,25 rear axle set. There is a swedish guy that will make new set's (Manufactured in good old USA)