Overdrive for the ‘55: new driveshaft yoke.
In order to use the NP 833 4 speed OD trans in my ‘55, I had to switch driveshaft yokes (its the same length as the old 3 spd.). My trans np833 used a 350 turbo sized yoke, but others used the bigger 400 turbo one. I went to the junkyard and got a yoke (and driveshaft) for $15.
I got one with outside clips on the u-joints, like the ones in my ‘55. The same u-joint fit both my old drive shaft and new yoke. I have an interesting (and I think, superior) method for changing u-joints. First I use pliers or a screw driver to remove the clips. Everything else is done with a bronze (or deadblow) hammer and a couple pieces of scrap wood.
I drive one cup out at a time, in this case, by striking where the hammer is laying in the pic. Below, I show the shaft flipped over with one out.
They pop out very easy, much easier than the method of using a socket as a drift and trying to drive one deeper and one out. I was blocking up the yoke and hitting the driveshaft, in this instance, because I am keeping the yoke. Usually, I use 2 2x4s like below, now the cup pops out the top.
To reassemble, I just go in reverse order, one cup at a time. I start the first cup with my fingers from the outside, then put the cross inside the cup. Then I tap the cup in, holding the cross in the cup with my other hand. This prevents the needle bearings from tipping over. I drive it a little deeper than nessesary to make installing the clip easier. Then I start the other cup with my fingers. I hold the cross so it is partially inserted into both cups and drive the second cup in.
We have a 1955 2 DR Pontiac Pathfinder project car all original body and trim. Your car seems to me to have a chevy front clip on it. The Pathfinder Pontiac is very rare, I’m wondering if you bought the car with the chevy front end or did you change it yourself.
Comment by Wes — August 18, 2007 @ 8:36 am