Can anyone tell me what the rear-end out of a 54 chevy with an automatic trans is worth. I found out I have one and was going to put it in my 49 to upgrade the brakes but the torque tube is too short so I was considering selling it as I hate to change over my differential to this housing just to have the Bendix brakes I need and deprive someone of an original (RPO 314) rear-end and driveline.
The driveshaft is a different length. Other than that, it is the same. I don't think that answers your question as I have no idea of it's value. I wish you were closer, I have a 54 hydra-matic truck and always like collecting spare parts. Good Luck, and thanks for asking around instead of just getting rid of parts that don't fit your application. G.H.
GH, thanks for the response. I wish I could sell this to someone who needs it so I can get the correct one for my applicaton. OTherwise my only option is to switch out the differential and use my original torque tube. Maybe someone will chime in and have a better solution. Thanks again.
I believe you can just use the brakes from your donor rear and put them onto the rear in your truck. Of course you'll have to switch out ALL brake components all the way to and including the backing plates and the e-brake cables as it is all different, but it is certainly easier than swapping out the diff. I am sure Nate will chime in on the proper procedure of switching over from Huck to Bendix in minute detail. I have no experience with that as my '55.1 already has Bendix brakes. Andy
Here is something else to consider. If you ever decide to use Patrick's 3.55 ring and pinion gear set for better highway drivability, the instructions state that in the case of a 54, you must use an earlier carrier housing. When you install them, you actually seperate the driveshaft with tube and the carrier assembly. As mentioned, you can keep your rear end housing with brakes and the carrier/driveshaft is all you will need to change. The long way around to get to my point is that if you were ever going to consider the better gears and you were in a position now that you needed to find a different carrier/driveshaft assembly, now may be the time to narrow your search to what will better suit your needs is the future. The difference you would have in the meantime is that 54 used 3.90 gears and the earlier trucks used a 4.11 ratio. Somewhere around, I have the Patrick's gear installation instructions scanned if you would want to see them.
I actually had to switch rear end housing in my hydra-matic driveline that I bought. I used my original housing and brakes and installed the hydr-matic carrier and driveshaft. I don't know if there are decent pics in my webshots or not but here you go anyway.
Well Craig You allready have the upgraded brakes (Bendix) in your '54..... IIRC the slushbox final drive raio is better than 3.90 in '54 , it'll be stamped in the edge of the ring gear in any case an prolly in the nose of the pinion too . I'm not clear as to what yopu want to do here , for a Torque Tube , you have the ideal setup now unless you want disc rear brakes . Parts are easy for your Bendix brakes , get some new drums and use that shoe lining Bob Adler recommends to make it stop RIGHT NOW ....
Hey guys , thanks for all the input. As I understand it the best way to go is use the original (49) differential and torque tube and place it in the 54 banjo housing with the bendix brakes. If not to costly change the rear ring and pinion to the patricks set up 3:55 using the 49 carrier before installing in the 54 housing. This would give me the correct length torque tube, higway gears (3:55) and bendix brakes on the rear. Did I get this right?. I'll do a search on Bob Adlers brake linings - thanks Nate and GH..
Nate, can you give me lead on where to find the brake info from Bob Adler. I did a search and couldn't find any related information. Did he publish a book or something? Thanks
Bob Adler's Corrosion Lab I hope I have the name right , he's a Yankee who has an AD restoration service , you oughta see his junkyard ! . He writes a monthly column for " VintageTruck Magazine " and I'm sure there's a link in there.... It's a soft compound that grabs like mad , wears a bit quicker but doesn't wear out your precious Huck brake drums.... I had the spec. written down (it's inked on the _edge_ of the lining) as I plan to get some bonded to my Ural's crappy brakes shoes ~ that doesn;t stop eithere ! it's a Motocycle with brakes that are worse than Huck brakes are ! But I seem to have misplaced the spec....
http://adlersantiqueautos.com/articles/drumbrakes.html here you go. hope at least the link points you in the right direction.
Well ; That's the guy but no mention of the brake lining spec. so I sent him a letter . If you look at his pages there , he covers Huck brakes in another article in detail and mirrors my comments about servicing almost exactly .
Nice website he has. Lots of vehicles for sale too! I hope he sends Nate the brake lininig spec information via email. I'll wait and see what he comes up with rather than bug him with to many emails.
That spec on the lining is FF according to a post Nate left in another thread. JUst in case anyone was left hanging..
Bob Adler's Trux For Sale Be aware they're all rusty junkers for parts.... A lister (here I thought) went to visit and wound up painteing scenes from Bob's field of dreams , really nice paintings .
