1953 Chevrolet Rebuild Remove Torque Tube, Rearend, Transmission

In this video, I'll show you how to remove the transmission, torque tube (drive shaft) and rear end. We'll then start the process of installing the new T5 (5 speed) transmission, 74 Nova rear end and drive shaft.

[@normansilver905]

I have performed this entire process on a '37 Chevy coupe; a '52 Chevy Fleetline and a '54 Chevy Bel Air. It is a lot of work but the results are sure worth it. Thanks for posting.

[@whattherust]

Great info. I am in Nashville and have a 1954, 1952, and soon a 1950. I am surprised our paths have not crossed!

[@jdinman6263]

Hey brother! I just sold my 53 Bel Air in October and I sold the 210 about a week ago too. We've got a camping retreat we've started in West TN that has my full attention these days. I'll get back in the rust business soon.

[@danteomar653]

Gracias por con partir tu experiencia

[@noelcesareo3845]

Good Job man keep up the good work and Thanks for the info...

[@Scott-qp9rw]

Thanks for the great information. I have a 52’ I want to do the same project to.

[@LegendaryWoke]

Keep up the great sharing of info!

[@jdinman6263]

Thank you brother!

[@richardwalling9695]

When I had my 53 Belaire It had a Powerglide engine with more torque and HP than the standard trans engine. I went through about 6 transmissions in about 9 months. I had it down to 45 minutes to change a trans. That was back in 1963. I never saw the bottom bolts from the inside, all 4 bolts were accessed from the outside.

[@tonynanez803]

Thank you that was Exalent information I am doing the same thing .

[@dgafer251]

Thank you for the info

[@stephenandloriyoung5716]

The T5 in overdrive 5th gear running through 2.73s will make for calm cruising - about 1500 rpm @ 60 mph, depending on wheel/tire sizes. Nice.

[@jdinman6263]

I think it will be about right.

[@shaylernoah1178]

The kid intro is the best!!

[@jdinman6263]

He's awesome. He did that on his own while I was trying to get the gas tank out... I found the video while editing...

[@robertmashburn8330]

Thanks for the video! Working on a 53 2DrHT. PowerGlide. Planning a 350/350 with an S-10 Rear End, 10 Bolt. I’m taking the Torque Tube and Rear End out on my back, so it’ll be a little bit longer task I’m thinking. I’ll have my complete Drive Train on my Garage floor and not sure what to do with it. Maybe sell it for a few hundred bucks. (Complete). Got the 350 Engine and Trans about ready to go when I get the 6Cyl out. Looking forward to going for a drive with the new Engine. My budget says I gotta go slow so I’ll inch along with it. I want this 53HT to be my everyday driver. With a little Spunk! I’m 71 so not too spunky!! Keep up the videos, I’m learning.

[@jdinman6263]

Love it! Take care of that 53. I'd love to find another hard top. Of course, I dream about one day running across a convertible too. I think my next project will be a 1953 Bel Air 4 door. I'm going to cut the back of the roof off and make an El Camino.... Going to be called the Bel Camino... Watch for that in 2022!!

[@robertmashburn8330]

@@jdinman6263 Mr. Inman, I watch your videos in great detail, learning a lot from you! As I may have mentioned, I put new floor pans, power disc brakes are in process. I remember these 53 brakes and they didn’t stop so quick. Since I have a Flex Plate tooth problem, I’m going to clean out the original drivetrain and go with a 350 with a 400 Trans instead of a 350 Trans. Stock 350. Looking for a conservative deep tone, a little healthier too. Excited to get my Chrome back from Chrome Wizard in Mt Juliet, Tennessee. Will forward contact info, if you need it. My front and rear Emblems were badly pitted, can’t find aftermarket, so they’re doing those too. Nice People! I admire your Burgundy 53, that’s a beautiful car! My original drivetrain runs good, I’m just not going to pull the Trans to fix it. A little more labor and it’s all upgraded. I’ll get a short video uploaded soon I hope. Thanks for the response, keep em coming.

[@robertmashburn8330]

@@jdinman6263 P.S. My drivetrain has to go somewhere. I live in a close residential area, just south of Macon, Ga. know anyone needing one, it’ll be Very Reasonable! I can’t store it. PowerGlide. It’s an August 53 Date Engine, believe it to be the same engine used in the 53 Corvette’s. All original, complete. Very Cheap! Don’t know of any demands for those. Ok, I’ll stop rambling.

[@jdinman6263]

@@robertmashburn8330 Put them on FaceBook Market place or CraigsList. I'll bet you can sell them pretty quick. OR Check your local swap meet schedule. You'll find car shows with swap meets and you can probably sell them there. I have the same problem... but I do have a place to stash stuff to get it out of my way for a while. Thank you for watching the videos. I'm in the Nashville area so, sounds like we're nearly neighbors!

[@subscribeme2317]

Nice

[@Ryanfantana]

I’ve dealt with electrical issues in a Chrysler van like that, wipers randomly coming on. I finally chased it to a bad ground under the driver’s seat.

[@jdinman6263]

I've chased grounds, pulled parts, wiggled wires, done hours of research online, talked to technicians, sent it to dealerships (no help other than "lets throw thousands of dollars at it and see if that helps." I think I have determined it must be the TIPM or the ECM itself.... Sent the TIPM to Cali last week for a rebuild ($245)... we shall see. But I'll check that ground under the drivers seat for sure. Thanks for the heads up!

[@Ryanfantana]

@@jdinman6263 it is very frustrating chasing electronic gremlins in newer vehicles, makes us love our old cars even more!

[@foggiapainting]

Question, why would a stovebolt 1951Chevy 235 start a slight misfire every now and then only when its running for a long while at a slightly hot operating temperature?

[@yonivargas1999]

Quick question, what did you have to buy? For the t5 to fit the 235? Also what clutch did you buy?

[@54rickyg]

awsome job what you gonna do with the 3 speed tranny i would be iterested of buying it

[@The.Irritations]

Ps how can you tell if it’s in the forward position? Thank you! Also where can I get that plate? Did you also have to buy or build a cross member for the transmission tail?

[@ct5943]

Question: I have a 51 Styleline that doesn't go into reverse. Looking at getting repaired (Its an Automatic). I was told I needed a torque converter. Why do I need a torque converter if it already has a torque tube like yours" I didn't know they had torque converters for that year car. Thanks

[@yonivargas1999]

Quick question what is the part number for the transmission plate? I need one my self.

[@blue32nu]

@jdinman any future videos of this project?

[@tonynanez803]

Does the torque ball have oil in it

[@randyb726]

If they’re around had a tire I you can use a small bottle jack to press the spraying down to the correct location I will get it it’s a piece a cake that way

[@randyb726]

The bottle of Jack goes between the frame in the spring

[@randyb726]

Turn the springs 180° there again will line up perfectly and you won’t need to buy anything extra

[@randyb726]

Spellcheck screwed everything up mount a tire to that rear end that will raise the rear end to the high that needs to be Place the bottle jack on top of the spring and under the frame and simply Jack spraying down to where you needed it

[@danielalmendarez1878]

Do you think the ‘74 Nova rear end will bolt on to a 1946 Chevy truck 1/2 ton. I really want to get rid of the torque tube.

[@jdinman6263]

Dont know what the frame dimensions are on the 1946. but you can make anything work with a little fabrication, brute force and ignorance... HA!

[@nesto4946]

What size bolts hold transmission

[@jamesporter8688]

I am trying to do a simlar change but on a 51 Chevy 3600 truck. Could i get more details on the T5 you bought?

[@jdinman6263]

Its a T5 from a mid 90's Chevy S10 pickup. The great thing about the S10 T5 is that the truck was too underpowered to wear out a transmission and they didn't typically get used to actually tow anything. So, the S10 T5 is perfect for a swap. You need to make sure you get one with the shifter in the forward position if you are running bench seats. A lot of S10 pickups had buckets and they ran a rear position shifter... You'll need that adapter plate and a new drive shaft and rear end... NONE of that torque tube stuff will work.

[@HAVILA65]

I’m trying to do something similar to 1951 Chevy 3100 keeping 6 lug rear end, any idea of which rear end would work?

[@marioovalle7553]

What is that adapter plate called? I need that, trying to do the same swap on my 53 bel air

[@joepacheco4038]

@@HAVILA65 kind of late comment but why would you want to keep the stock rear end? If it's for looking original you can have a latter year diff axles redrilled for 6 bolts then again the hub caps will cover the lug bolts

[@e.preciado3923]

So what are your plans with the torque ball? I would be interested in buying it if it’s in good shape.

[@jdinman6263]

I'm selling the torque tube, rear end and 3 speed transmission. I'm in Nashville if that's anywhere near you.

[@e.preciado3923]

@@jdinman6263 My transmission and torque tube are in good shape. So I would only be interested in buying the torque ball mine is a little banged up but still works. I would like a torque ball in a little better shape then mine. So here is my email address [e-mail] give me a price and I can pay for the shipping if you don’t mind sending it. I’m in California. Let me know what you think. Thanks.

[@MarnDesigns]

do u want to sell the transmisson u took out

[@jdinman6263]

I gave it to a guy with the driveshaft and there rear end chunk and axle.... FREEBEE!

[@hectormacias8890]

You are messing this beauty up. You were lucky enough to find this car in its original state. Now you are going to replace the tranny and drive shaft with something that does not belong to this car. Keep the three on the tree, keep its original tranny and keep its original driveshaft. Hard to find parts I know, but you are also paying good money with the replacement parts which don't even match the year of the car. Please I don't want to see floor shift on this car. It deserves better since it has survived this long.

[@1575murray]

Sorry but I don't agree with you. This is obviously not a show quality car and will actually be driven and enjoyed not just taken to car shows. It is also anything but rare; even after almost 70 years there are still more than a few around. The owner is just trying to use his mechanical skills and limited budget to build a car he can enjoy.

[@hectormacias8890]

@@1575murray I understand. I'll just have to eat it up since I don't own this beauty,