Long Tail and Short Tail Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

colyank · 07-23-2021, 04:08 PM

Hi everyone I have a 1972 c10 Chevy pickup 2wd with a th350 short tail transmission that’s needs to be replaced. I was able to get my hands on a 350 tranny but it has a long tail. Am I able to switch over the end tails and put the original short tail onto this new tranny without much work? I have never really dealt or messed with transmissions before so if someone could help out that would be great thanks

Ziegelsteinfaust · 07-23-2021, 04:30 PM

They have different shafts to accommodate the long or short shaft housing.

If you have the skill to swap shafts you can just as easily rebuild your trans too. Appartently it's not hard, but it's time consuming for the first time. My uncle used to work for GMC dealers in the 60's. He could do the whole job in 8 hours by himself. So for a average guy in the garage a 2 day job maybe more appropriate.

Also shortening a tail shaft is less then $200. Cheaper then rebuilding a trans.

**BigBird05** · 07-23-2021, 07:57 PM

To rebuild the clutch packs it takes special tools. Ones that you can't just rent from Auto Zone.

Accelo · 07-24-2021, 01:28 AM

"He could do the whole job in 8 hours by himself"
Your first automatic rebuild will take days. Especially after damaging the lip seal while attempting to install them.
Don't ask how I know.
However, with some maintenance experience pulling the pump and getting down to the output shaft is doable. Sill will requires a special pliers to remove the snap ring in the recess. I believe I have the parts to make the change over to a short shaft. $35 + shipping.
Rick

07-23-2021, 04:08 PM	#1
colyank Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Oakfield, Wisconsin Posts: 13	Long Tail and Short Tail Question Hi everyone I have a 1972 c10 Chevy pickup 2wd with a th350 short tail transmission that’s needs to be replaced. I was able to get my hands on a 350 tranny but it has a long tail. Am I able to switch over the end tails and put the original short tail onto this new tranny without much work? I have never really dealt or messed with transmissions before so if someone could help out that would be great thanks

07-23-2021, 04:30 PM	#2
Ziegelsteinfaust Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Temple City Posts: 3,560	Re: Long Tail and Short Tail Question They have different shafts to accommodate the long or short shaft housing. If you have the skill to swap shafts you can just as easily rebuild your trans too. Appartently it's not hard, but it's time consuming for the first time. My uncle used to work for GMC dealers in the 60's. He could do the whole job in 8 hours by himself. So for a average guy in the garage a 2 day job maybe more appropriate. Also shortening a tail shaft is less then $200. Cheaper then rebuilding a trans.

07-23-2021, 07:57 PM	#3
BigBird05 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Cheraw Posts: 1,305	Re: Long Tail and Short Tail Question To rebuild the clutch packs it takes special tools. Ones that you can't just rent from Auto Zone.

07-24-2021, 01:28 AM	#4
Accelo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: washington Posts: 2,159	Re: Long Tail and Short Tail Question "He could do the whole job in 8 hours by himself" Your first automatic rebuild will take days. Especially after damaging the lip seal while attempting to install them. Don't ask how I know. However, with some maintenance experience pulling the pump and getting down to the output shaft is doable. Sill will requires a special pliers to remove the snap ring in the recess. I believe I have the parts to make the change over to a short shaft. $35 + shipping. Rick



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