Trying to find what I'm told are cork seals for the torque ball; have been told that in 1949 there was a "metal to metal" seal which at best can be adjusted down to a slow ooze (that would suit me!).

BUT

Can someone give a difinitive answer to conflicting information from two recognized experts---cork gasket or no gasket, metal-to-metal in the 1949 torque ball assembly?

I have never seen a torque ball without either a cork seal in the early ones to a neoprene seal in the later Dynaflows.Metal to metal will ALWAYS leak

My thoughts, too -- but this is Bob at Bob's Automobilia telling me this . . . . .

Hey Bernard

How is "Harley" doing?

I have a copy of Bob's Catalog

They have 2 parts listed. I don't know which one You need.

Propeller shaft spline oil seal #ss-463
Torque Tube flange gasket TBF-402
Torque Tube Carrier Housing Gasket CHG-405
Torque Ball boot TB-482

For a 1949 it seems that the listings are for individual Parts while later models 56-60 they have an entire kit listed.

Their explaination really sound stange.

Maybe try Buick World.ask for Jim Macy
360-825-3787

Carson's Antigue auto parts 508-429-2269

Fatsco's Transmission 800-524-0485

Antique Auto Parts Cellar 781-335-1579

I will try to HELP! on this end...Hopefully we can narrow the search down and come up with a Bonified Vendor/Supplier. for this particular problem part.............Unless another member is able to volunteer the needed information

Anything to Stop 'Harley" from Weeping.

Lets Face it. The Part does appear to be a Problem. and Most of Us will probable need a replacement sooner than later

We need to establis a Vendor/Supplier for the Torque Ball

Regards'

Tom gallagher

Tom,

Thank you so very much! Your timing is perfect--I am off tomorrow and can make the contacts you offered.

Bernard,

Let me know how you make out.

If need be I may have to do more research.

Buick World is pretty good. They know their Buicks.

They are in Washington State. call first thing in the AM in the Pacific Time Zone. If they don't carry a particular part or are out of stock, they usually direct you to someone who does.

I see that Fatsco got Nicola her Planetary Gears.
She got them in 3 Days from NJ. to Austrailia.

Tom Gallagher.

Bernard the 55 I have is metal to metal but it has a boot around the outside that fits in a grove at each end. ( trans and torque tube )

I think I've found some of the confusion, but not all:

The standard transmission diagrams in the whole-car shop manual I have show cork seal(s). The diagrams, photographs, and text of the separate 48-50 Dynaflow shop manual make it obvious that there are no cork seals. There is mention of paper gasket shims and a leather seal, plus the bellows. I'm thinking the leather part is what I'd call a "sock" which goes between inner and outer retainers--all three pieces having a bowl shape with the U-joint in the bowl.

I'm still studying diagrams in both books and working up the gumption to lower my stiffening bod to the ground and uumphing under the car for a look-see.

But I did just this morning have both rear transmission mounts replaced, and I'm hoping securing the back end of the tranny will greatly reduce the pumping of fluid through the torque ball assembly. And what a difference in the feel of the car and the road noise--ever since I've had it the transmission has been resting directly on the crossmember.