The Ford Barn

Agent1320 · 04-08-2011, 06:40 AM

I have two torque tubes but I don't know what year they are for. They are both identical. I've been hanging on to these for a while and when I had to move them to get to some other stuff, curiosity got the best of me. Just wondering what year these are for as I've never dealt with any torque tubes so I don't know anything about them.

They are 72" from the edge of the bell shaped end, to the edge of the flanged end.

The bell end is 4-3/8" and the flanged end has 6 bolts.

Are they worth anything? I don't want to cut them up if someone could use them.

SUHRsc · 04-08-2011, 07:38 AM

I don't know the measurements... but most likely '42-'48
I believe '41 is a little shorter but still has the mount for the shorter arms....
not really worth a lot... but....I'd save them just incase!
they can be cut down and used on almost any V8 banjo rearend...

Zach

bobH · 04-08-2011, 12:57 PM

From the picture, I can see that the radius-rod mount is 'way-back'. So, I agree with the above post, 'late', meaning 42-48 for sure, and probably 41 also, as I see in the green parts book that 41-48 (replacement) is supposed to be the same, part no 6A-4504. The parts book also says that 41-48 also takes the same driveshaft, indicating that the lengths of these parts for 41 match 42-48. In my view, not worth much. The radius rods that go with them are probably worth as much, or more (for 32-34 conversions). If it were me, trying to use this tube for a Model A-thru-34, I'd be looking at getting the center bearing out, then see if a 'early' driveshaft (either L32-34, or Spadaro 'kit') would fit through there, then go from there. JMO

Mart · 04-08-2011, 01:36 PM

Bob H has it.

Any torque tube is worth saving for converting A's and 32's to later rear ends.
I've done this a couple of times.

Shorten the torque tube, lose the center bearing,
Re-use the 4 cylinder tubular driveshaft and adapt it to a splined coupler.
Piece of cake.

Mart.

bobH · 04-08-2011, 02:45 PM

Another opinion... If those torque tubes have good center bearings, then a guy that needs a center bearing would be interested. I know, Skip sells a replacement bearing, and, original bearings can sometimes be found, but if it were me, and I needed a center bearing, I'd be interested in good used bearings already installed in a tube. Again, JMO

Agent1320 · 04-09-2011, 06:14 AM

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Thanks guys. I've never ran a closed rear end on any of my A's, so I never learned the differences in the tubes/driveshafts. I got these to cut up and make lake headers out of, but they are so dang thick! Then I figured I'd cut them up and use them for tool stands in the shop, but they are too good to chop up and I don't like destroying perfectly good original parts. I'll take them to the swap meet and see if anyone could use them.

04-08-2011, 07:38 AM	#2
SUHRsc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Harrisburg, PA Posts: 918	Re: Torque Tube Identification I don't know the measurements... but most likely '42-'48 I believe '41 is a little shorter but still has the mount for the shorter arms.... not really worth a lot... but....I'd save them just incase! they can be cut down and used on almost any V8 banjo rearend... Zach __________________ -WANTED- CYLINDER HEADS 77-6050B, 81AS - 81SB - 99AS - 99SB - 19AS

04-08-2011, 12:57 PM	#3
bobH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: so cal, placerville, vegas Posts: 1,436	Re: Torque Tube Identification From the picture, I can see that the radius-rod mount is 'way-back'. So, I agree with the above post, 'late', meaning 42-48 for sure, and probably 41 also, as I see in the green parts book that 41-48 (replacement) is supposed to be the same, part no 6A-4504. The parts book also says that 41-48 also takes the same driveshaft, indicating that the lengths of these parts for 41 match 42-48. In my view, not worth much. The radius rods that go with them are probably worth as much, or more (for 32-34 conversions). If it were me, trying to use this tube for a Model A-thru-34, I'd be looking at getting the center bearing out, then see if a 'early' driveshaft (either L32-34, or Spadaro 'kit') would fit through there, then go from there. JMO

04-08-2011, 01:36 PM	#4
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 9,240	Re: Torque Tube Identification Bob H has it. Any torque tube is worth saving for converting A's and 32's to later rear ends. I've done this a couple of times. Shorten the torque tube, lose the center bearing, Re-use the 4 cylinder tubular driveshaft and adapt it to a splined coupler. Piece of cake. Mart.

04-08-2011, 02:45 PM	#5
bobH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: so cal, placerville, vegas Posts: 1,436	Re: Torque Tube Identification Another opinion... If those torque tubes have good center bearings, then a guy that needs a center bearing would be interested. I know, Skip sells a replacement bearing, and, original bearings can sometimes be found, but if it were me, and I needed a center bearing, I'd be interested in good used bearings already installed in a tube. Again, JMO

04-09-2011, 06:14 AM	#6
Agent1320 Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 12	Re: Torque Tube Identification Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks guys. I've never ran a closed rear end on any of my A's, so I never learned the differences in the tubes/driveshafts. I got these to cut up and make lake headers out of, but they are so dang thick! Then I figured I'd cut them up and use them for tool stands in the shop, but they are too good to chop up and I don't like destroying perfectly good original parts. I'll take them to the swap meet and see if anyone could use them.