Greetings !! Has anyone removed a torque tube and replaced with conventional rear end with standard driveshaft ?? If so, what donor car parts were used ?? I want to install a turbo 400 trans and remove the tube from my 57 Century. Thanks... Bob
I know for a '59 (and probably a '57 too) you can use a 3rd member from a 61-63 (maybe 64 also) Buick fullsize car. It'll have a regular yoke for a regular driveshaft. You can get adapter for a TH400 to nailhead from transmisisonadapters.com. Good luck! Oh yeah, you will also have to 4 link or ladder bar your rear end since the torque tube won't be there to hold your rear end in place.
Set the body on a 71-73 Estate wagon. I saw a 57 Super that the owner did to get a modern drivetrain and suspension. He kept the 455 etc. He said is was an easy transplant.
That's interesting. 455s are cool and all but I'd rather keep the nailhead. That's a good idea though
I saw it will all the frills like the AC, power brakes etc. Still had the original body and interior. Got rid of the torque tube and the Dynaslow trans. He got a TH400 and a 455. The Super owner said it increased performance and the utility of the car dramatically.
My '60 Lesabre has a '64 401 nailhead with a 400 tranny behind it - but you can get an adapter easy enough - there is a guy on ebay for that one. Just make sure the torque converter is the proper one for your tranny. I have a complete rear suspension from a early 80's caprice wagon welded up underneath and everything works great! The chevy brakes work fine, but I'm going to use an aftermarket finned aluminum backing plate with the original buick finned drums on the chevy rear! Made a custom disc brake caliper mounting plate out of 5/8 steel plate using 71-76 GM single piston calipers up front. Also works great, but future plans include SSBC dual piston calipers (direct bolt on!) powder coated to match the car. Should look nice through 17" torque thrust d's! Hope this inspires you enough to pull all that junk out from under your car and put in a rearend worthy of your Buick! Let's face it - the old combo should have never gone into production in the first place! Guess back then it seemed like a good idea !!!
