The Ford Barn

Ford1941 · 12-11-2011, 02:51 PM

Could somebody possibly help me determine the correct years of application for a Ford torque tube that I have? This tube is exactly 70" long (not 70 3/4"), has no bracket for the brake hose/service brake cable, and the mount for the radius rods is near the front of the torque tube (16 - 17" from the front). Based on this information, I know it will not fit a 41 - 48 Ford, but I am not sure what years it does fit. Thanks, Scott

Ralph Moore · 12-11-2011, 03:20 PM

Looks like late 30's.

Mart · 12-11-2011, 04:16 PM

Does it have a provision for a central bearing?

Mart.

Karl Wolf · 12-11-2011, 06:40 PM

If no center bearing, looks like a 35-6... With center bearing, 37-40... I did not go to measure from my junk pile...
Karl

Ford1941 · 12-11-2011, 09:18 PM

My torque tube does have a central bearing. Another thing it has that differes from the 41-48 torque tubes (that I am more familliar with) is a thicker-walled bearing in the front by the front seal and speedo gear. This front bearing is more solid than the "squeezable" ones that are used in the 41-48 torque tubes (and consequently, it was much more difficult to remove.

I, too, had heard this might be a 37-40 tube, but, I am surprised the the radius rods on a '40 would be located so different from the 41-48. I also thought that maybe the lack of a brake line bracket might have been linked to the lack of juice brakes prior to '39 (if my date is right). Scott

Mart · 12-12-2011, 05:24 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

If I remember right, my 40 has an emergency brake bracket that attaches to the radius rod mount. 39/40 service brakes (the hydraulic bits) attach to the radius rods, not the torque tube. Other than that I have not checked the length, it looks like a 37-40 tube, with a central bearing to support the solid drive shaft.

Mart.

Ralph Moore · 12-12-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford1941

My torque tube does have a central bearing. Another thing it has that differes from the 41-48 torque tubes (that I am more familliar with) is a thicker-walled bearing in the front by the front seal and speedo gear. This front bearing is more solid than the "squeezable" ones that are used in the 41-48 torque tubes (and consequently, it was much more difficult to remove.

I, too, had heard this might be a 37-40 tube, but, I am surprised the the radius rods on a '40 would be located so different from the 41-48. I also thought that maybe the lack of a brake line bracket might have been linked to the lack of juice brakes prior to '39 (if my date is right). Scott

Radius rods for the 42-48(maybe 41) are alot shorter than the 37-40 style. I had to cut down a pair of 37 rods about 10-11 inches to fit my 32 frame, then I found a pair of 46's, and they would have fit great without cutting.

John R · 12-12-2011, 03:25 PM

Some time ago, I measured a 35 - 36 torque tube: 69 15/16" long - essentially the same as your 70".
John

CP · 12-14-2011, 07:25 PM

maybe this will help. i knew i had it somewhere..

http://www.flatheadv8.org/fordrear.htm

Gee Whizz · 05-02-2023, 03:37 PM

my '37 torque tube does not have a centre bearing of grease nipples from which the bearing would have been greased. It has a solid axel with the boss suggesting it should or could have a centre bearing but, the torque tube itself does not look like it had a centre bearing. Are ALL '37 passenger torque tubes equipped with a centre bearing?

V8COOPMAN · 05-02-2023, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford1941

Could somebody possibly help me determine the correct years of application for a Ford torque tube that I have? This tube is exactly 70" long (not 70 3/4"), has no bracket for the brake hose/service brake cable, and the mount for the radius rods is near the front of the torque tube (16 - 17" from the front). Based on this information, I know it will not fit a 41 - 48 Ford, but I am not sure what years it does fit. Thanks, Scott

Same length as '37-'40. '41 and later radius rods are much shorter (mount farther back on torque tube).

Coop

.

rotorwrench · 05-02-2023, 10:58 PM

Ford used a barrel shaped drive shaft that was hollow like a tube in the mid 30s. They changed over to a solid shaft in the late 30s and had to add the center bearing to prevent whipping of the shaft inside there.

Wait till you find a Mercury torque tube. Those will stump a lot of Ford guys due to the extra length.

Newc · 05-03-2023, 06:21 PM

It's for the tube driveshaft. Newc

highbeams · 05-04-2023, 02:54 PM

As I've posted prior, . . . a post now and then to inform THOSE UNAWARE of the center bearing. I've posted my experience regarding a sudden horrendous screeching upon driving my '36 half ton the first time.
The grease fitting on the top of the torque tube, not viewable. Upon realizing & using this fitting, = a drop of grease ONTO the dry ruined bearing. (fortunately, the bearing is a common hdwe store bearing.) Henry's engineers didn't engineer access INTO the bearing. . . . thank you!

Terry,OH · 05-05-2023, 06:49 AM

The center bearing is lubed through a Zerk on the bottom of the torque tube, which should be very visible. The original bearing is molded into a rubber collar and today is very hard to find with very high prices ($150.+). Skip Haney has a replacement for the bearing with a much more reasonable price.

Ford1941: Somewhere about 1937 Ford used a very different size front bearing and sleeve just to the rear of the U-joint and speedo turtle, in the torque tube. It appears that is what you have. There have been several posting here on fordbarn regarding this torque tube and it's bearing.

12-11-2011, 03:20 PM	#2
Ralph Moore Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 1,470	Re: Ford Flathead Torque Tube Identification? Looks like late 30's.

12-11-2011, 04:16 PM	#3
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,783	Re: Ford Flathead Torque Tube Identification? Does it have a provision for a central bearing? Mart.

12-11-2011, 06:40 PM	#4
Karl Wolf Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mill Valley,Ca. Posts: 1,509	Re: Ford Flathead Torque Tube Identification? If no center bearing, looks like a 35-6... With center bearing, 37-40... I did not go to measure from my junk pile... Karl

12-11-2011, 09:18 PM	#5
Ford1941 Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 53	Re: Ford Flathead Torque Tube Identification? My torque tube does have a central bearing. Another thing it has that differes from the 41-48 torque tubes (that I am more familliar with) is a thicker-walled bearing in the front by the front seal and speedo gear. This front bearing is more solid than the "squeezable" ones that are used in the 41-48 torque tubes (and consequently, it was much more difficult to remove. I, too, had heard this might be a 37-40 tube, but, I am surprised the the radius rods on a '40 would be located so different from the 41-48. I also thought that maybe the lack of a brake line bracket might have been linked to the lack of juice brakes prior to '39 (if my date is right). Scott

12-12-2011, 05:24 AM	#6
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,783	Re: Ford Flathead Torque Tube Identification? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If I remember right, my 40 has an emergency brake bracket that attaches to the radius rod mount. 39/40 service brakes (the hydraulic bits) attach to the radius rods, not the torque tube. Other than that I have not checked the length, it looks like a 37-40 tube, with a central bearing to support the solid drive shaft. Mart.

12-12-2011, 03:25 PM	#8
John R Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: near Washington, DC Posts: 559	Re: Ford Flathead Torque Tube Identification? Some time ago, I measured a 35 - 36 torque tube: 69 15/16" long - essentially the same as your 70". John

12-14-2011, 07:25 PM	#9
CP Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 159	Re: Ford Flathead Torque Tube Identification? maybe this will help. i knew i had it somewhere.. http://www.flatheadv8.org/fordrear.htm

05-02-2023, 03:37 PM	#10
Gee Whizz Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 20	Re: Ford Flathead Torque Tube Identification? my '37 torque tube does not have a centre bearing of grease nipples from which the bearing would have been greased. It has a solid axel with the boss suggesting it should or could have a centre bearing but, the torque tube itself does not look like it had a centre bearing. Are ALL '37 passenger torque tubes equipped with a centre bearing?

05-02-2023, 10:58 PM	#12
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,491	Re: Ford Flathead Torque Tube Identification? Ford used a barrel shaped drive shaft that was hollow like a tube in the mid 30s. They changed over to a solid shaft in the late 30s and had to add the center bearing to prevent whipping of the shaft inside there. Wait till you find a Mercury torque tube. Those will stump a lot of Ford guys due to the extra length.

05-03-2023, 06:21 PM	#13
Newc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,520	Re: Ford Flathead Torque Tube Identification? It's for the tube driveshaft. Newc

05-04-2023, 02:54 PM	#14
highbeams Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: California Posts: 803	Re: Ford Flathead Torque Tube Identification? As I've posted prior, . . . a post now and then to inform THOSE UNAWARE of the center bearing. I've posted my experience regarding a sudden horrendous screeching upon driving my '36 half ton the first time. The grease fitting on the top of the torque tube, not viewable. Upon realizing & using this fitting, = a drop of grease ONTO the dry ruined bearing. (fortunately, the bearing is a common hdwe store bearing.) Henry's engineers didn't engineer access INTO the bearing. . . . thank you!

05-05-2023, 06:49 AM	#15
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,785	Re: Ford Flathead Torque Tube Identification? The center bearing is lubed through a Zerk on the bottom of the torque tube, which should be very visible. The original bearing is molded into a rubber collar and today is very hard to find with very high prices ($150.+). Skip Haney has a replacement for the bearing with a much more reasonable price. Ford1941: Somewhere about 1937 Ford used a very different size front bearing and sleeve just to the rear of the U-joint and speedo turtle, in the torque tube. It appears that is what you have. There have been several posting here on fordbarn regarding this torque tube and it's bearing.