53 - 53 powerglide output shaft

[Edward M.]

Can anyone show (hopefully with pictures) what is unique about 53-54 Corvette powerglide output shafts?

Is anyone reproducing these?

I am having trouble figuring out why this would be so hard to replicate, probably because I don't know what it really looks like.

Isn't this just a steel shaft with various machining work at select points on the shaft?

Also, I read something about an "extension shaft", which I guess is some way to extend the length of the passenger car shaft so it will work in a Corvette. Any pictures / info on that as well?

[Eric F.]

Re: 53 - 53 powerglide output shaft

The tail shaft housing is longer and specific to corvette. The tail shaft is longer too and has 16 splines. I'm told they are reproduced but I don't know who does it. There are several corvette suppliers carrying the tail shaft but I haven't seen the tail shaft housing in a while. I saw the last one on ebay about a year ago. I've attached a photo showing the part number casting for the corvette tail shaft housing and a photo of a restored 54 corvette powerglide. I hope this helps. Eric


(P.S. Grossmulers has a tail shaft for sale and show a photo of it.)

[Edward M.]

Re: 53 - 53 powerglide output shaft

I can't seem to get Grossmueller's catalog. All I get is the first 26 pages, which is the index. Is the entire catalog available online? Would really like to see the tail shaft.

[Eric F.]

Re: 53 - 53 powerglide output shaft

I sent you a PM with a link to the tail shaft.

[John S.]

Re: 53 - 53 powerglide output shaft

I can't seem to get Grossmueller's catalog. All I get is the first 26 pages, which is the index. Is the entire catalog available online? Would really like to see the tail shaft.

26 pages is the entire 53-55 catalog. I do not see the part listed separately in the catalog. it is not called a tail shaft by the vendors, it is a slip yoke. there are a few vendors selling the longer yoke on ebay. an original yoke is easy to spot on a car because the word "spicer" is stamped into the yoke.

[Edward M.]

Re: 53 - 53 powerglide output shaft

I am not talking about the slip yoke. I am talking about the output shaft that comes out of the back of the transmission. This is the shaft that the slip yoke slides onto. Grossmeullers lists a "powerglide conversion kit" which apparently has all of the parts needed to turn a 53-54 passenger car powerglide into a Corvette powerglide. One of those parts is the transmission output shaft, along with the tail housing.

[Eric F.]

Re: 53 - 53 powerglide output shaft

Ed,

My mistake, you indicated tail shaft and I thought slip yoke (even though I too indicated tail shaft). Must be one of my early senior moments, sorry to waste your time.

I suspect they are hard to find because of the limited numbers produced for the 53-55 6 cyl cars. I've had to make several parts for the 54 I'm restoring because they weren't available. The tail shaft be reproduced but I'm not certain. I will check with a few of my sources and get back to you.

Again, sorry for the misinformation.

Eric

[Eric F.]

Re: 53 - 53 powerglide output shaft

Hi Ed,

I couldn't find any suppliers in the area for the shaft or housing. I see them occasionally on ebay but is been a while. John Amgwert wrote an article in the Corvette Restorer years ago that will answer your questions and offer some insight into options for acquiring the unique output shaft and housing. I don't know the exact year of the article. I purchased the 53-55 archive disc and found it in the transmission section. I can't post the article but I will post the heading and the first paragraph where I agree with John, as I'm sure you'll agree.


Also, here's a link to the DVD in the store. I hope this helps.

Eric

[Edward M.]

Re: 53 - 53 powerglide output shaft

Hi Ed,

I couldn't find any suppliers in the area for the shaft or housing. I see them occasionally on ebay but is been a while. John Amgwert wrote an article in the Corvette Restorer years ago that will answer your questions and offer some insight into options for acquiring the unique output shaft and housing. I don't know the exact year of the article. I purchased the 53-55 archive disc and found it in the transmission section. I can't post the article but I will post the heading and the first paragraph where I agree with John, as I'm sure you'll agree.


Also, here's a link to the DVD in the store. I hope this helps.

Eric

Anyone know what issue of The Restorer this article was in?