Drive shaft width?

[richards72chevy]

I have heard alot of people say that they have used a drive shaft out of a wrecking yard.A friend of mine gave me a drive shaft out of his mid 70's nova and its a perfect fit but it's thinner than my old drive shaft.Would this be acceptable also do you think they make bastard ujoints for this?

[mongocanfly]

driveshaft diameters and thickness are usually determined by length and hp/tq...not sure what ujoint your needing but I know there are some with differences in size...

[mattfranklin]

U-joints are fairly standard (Spicer 1310, 1350, and so on), with a few exceptions (some weird internal clip Ford and Chrysler stuff). Just google u-joint dimensions and compare to measurements of your own.

Also, I have seen *special* adapter ones where one way it's a 1310 and the other way it's a 1350. Like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/EXCel-95-0460.../dp/B01I3X84EE

[YoungPup1977]

Originally Posted by mattfranklin

U-joints are fairly standard (Spicer 1310, 1350, and so on), with a few exceptions (some weird internal clip Ford and Chrysler stuff). Just google u-joint dimensions and compare to measurements of your own.

Also, I have seen *special* adapter ones where one way it's a 1310 and the other way it's a 1350. Like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/EXCel-95-0460.../dp/B01I3X84EE

Parts stores call these different sized U Joints - combination U Joints.
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[richards72chevy]

IMG_20180321_185347.jpg Not even a 1/16 difference.

[YoungPup1977]

[QUOTE=richards72chevy;8218377]IMG_20180321_185347.jpg Not even a 1/16 difference.[/QUOTE
That’s all it takes to lose the driveshaft at high speeds.
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[YoungPup1977]

[QUOTE=richards72chevy;8218377]IMG_20180321_185347.jpg Not even a 1/16 difference.[/QUOTE
That’s all it takes to lose the driveshaft at high speeds.
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[richards72chevy]

[quote=YoungPup1977;8219297]

Originally Posted by richards72chevy

IMG_20180321_185347.jpg Not even a 1/16 difference.[/QUOTE
That’s all it takes to lose the driveshaft at high speeds.
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I'm going to Napa today if they don't have the correct conversion ujoint I'm thinking I will just have a new drive shaft made.

[Captainfab]

Why not just have the yoke changed? That will be a whole lot cheaper than making a complete new driveshaft.

[quote=richards72chevy;8219386]

Originally Posted by YoungPup1977

I'm going to Napa today if they don't have the correct conversion ujoint I'm thinking I will just have a new drive shaft made.

[richards72chevy]

That was the yoke that came with the transmission plus I needed new ujoints.

[YoungPup1977]

Originally Posted by richards72chevy

That was the yoke that came with the transmission plus I needed new ujoints.

So let’s get this straight, you have a driveshaft from another vehicle and the only issue is with the U joint that fits into diff. Correct ? Length is good, And you want to change both U Joints. The U Joint up at the yoke that slides into the transmission has a “normal” U Joint which u can get based on the vehicle it came from. Take the differential U Joint flange off and take the Old U Joint with you to NAPA know How. They have a combination U Joint that will fit your driveshaft. No need to change the yoke. How many different size yokes do you think will fit plus a U Joint is much cheaper than a yoke.
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[richards72chevy]

Originally Posted by YoungPup1977

So let’s get this straight, you have a driveshaft from another vehicle and the only issue is with the U joint that fits into diff. Correct ? Length is good, And you want to change both U Joints. The U Joint up at the yoke that slides into the transmission has a “normal” U Joint which u can get based on the vehicle it came from. Take the differential U Joint flange off and take the Old U Joint with you to NAPA know How. They have a combination U Joint that will fit your driveshaft. No need to change the yoke. How many different size yokes do you think will fit plus a U Joint is much cheaper than a yoke.
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Yes I'm sure the ujoints should be the only issue napa has what I need for the front now I need to remove the old ujoint from the 66 drive shaft and get it for rear end.I mocked the nova drive shaft and the yoke I'm using in 66 and it looks looks I should have about half inch to one inch of play in there should that be enough play? I notice that there is a ton different yokes on Chevrolets I want to use the one that came with the 83 transmission.

[YoungPup1977]

When you say you have an inch of play....is this when the vehicle is setting on all 4 wheels or is the rear of the vehicle off the ground ? As you know when you lower the vehicle to the ground your driveshaft will move towards the transmission, so make sure how you are measuring the driveshaft for proper length.

[richards72chevy]

Yes all four wheels are on the ground.

[YoungPup1977]

What was the reason why you were not using the original driveshaft ? Tossing in a driveshaft you know nothing about could bring you issues..... how do you know the nova driveshaft is balanced/not bent/etc ?
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[richards72chevy]

Originally Posted by YoungPup1977

What was the reason why you were not using the original driveshaft ? Tossing in a driveshaft you know nothing about could bring you issues..... how do you know the nova driveshaft is balanced/not bent/etc ?
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The original was to long my truck originally had a straight 6 and a manual transmission.I know the risk hopefully its not messed up.I would have preferred to have new one made but my issue is I'm stuck at work monday through Friday 11 hours a day.I don't think any of the places that would make a drive shaft are open on weekends.I'm a welder I know my boss would have let me cut it down and shorten it at work but I've been told that it would have to be rebalanced.

['63GENIII]

[quote=richards72chevy;8219386]

Originally Posted by YoungPup1977

I'm going to Napa today if they don't have the correct conversion ujoint I'm thinking I will just have a new drive shaft made.

Ive had to run various conversion joints throughout the years. Chevy 1/2 ton to Dodge Dana 3/4 ton and back to GM 3/4 ton to 1 ton. The NAPA stores around here haven't been real "resourceful" in finding the right conversion joints.

If you can find a decent caliper and take some accurate measurements, you can find the right joint. I used to go to O'reillys and look through their Master Pro book which listed the conversion joints by dimension. Find your part number, cross reference to Spicer, order and done.

The last time I went through the drivelines (3 driveshafts), I went as far as changing the input, output yokes on the trans and T Case, building new driveshafts just so I didn't have 6 different joints. I think I only have 2 different types now which is still a relief.

Captain hit it on the head though. Have the old yoke cut off and replaced with the right size yoke. And while the guy is at it, have him get the right joint for you and install it. Its also not a bad idea to have the DS checked for balance. It doesn't take but a little ding to make a good set of joints go to crap or worse.

I was in a truck that lost a cobbled up jack shaft to the t case on the freeway. No thanks.

[OBS454]

Denny's driveshaft website

[Ironangel]

https://www.ringpinion.com/b2c/Parts...D=24&CatID=113 Kinda pricey...