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02-09-2014, 04:12 PM
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#1 |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2012
Location: colorado
Posts: 114
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drive shaft
I am at the drive shaft point of the build, and was wondering if anyone knows a good drive shaft (used) to start with. 51 half ton 700r4 and 78 trans am rear end. I am looking for a shaft that will fit both at both trans and rear end that is a good start. Thanks for any info.
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02-10-2014, 02:47 AM
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#2 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Evansville In
Posts: 173
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Re: drive shaft
If you have a yoke to slide in the trans, jack up the rear of the truck set the rear end on jack stands.
Slide the yoke in the trans till it stops then pull it out about 1 1/4". Measure from the center of the u joint to the center of the u joint on the rear end. Post what the measurements are, should be around 53"-55". |
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02-10-2014, 07:11 AM
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#3 |
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Old Heap Driver
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Newport News, Va
Posts: 2,639
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Re: drive shaft
Summit now offers these universal shafts that you cut weld and install. Cheap? No, but if you want a brand new shaft that isn't bent they are a good option.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/p.../universal/yes
__________________
_____________________________ Bryan '99 Silverado 1500, 4.3, 5-speed, reg cab, short bed '50 Chevy 2DR Hard Top, 350/350, M2 Front End, 3:08 gear, cruiser. '30 Model A Pickup, suicide front end, 350, 350, traditional style hot rod. |
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02-10-2014, 11:02 AM
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#4 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Ruidoso, NM
Posts: 290
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Re: drive shaft
Hit your local wrecker with a measuring tape. We just put one in a buddies
'50 that was the right length. It was lying loose with several others, but they thought it came from a Monte Carlo.
__________________
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=592642 '48 Chev extended cab with attitude http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=592769 My daughter's '46 International PU |
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02-10-2014, 11:06 AM
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#5 |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2012
Location: colorado
Posts: 114
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Re: drive shaft
That's what i thought but was not sure if it was Camaro, Monte Carlo or Chevelle. I want to get one from a yard and if i have to have it shortened that is cool. thanks
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02-10-2014, 04:27 PM
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#6 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Toppenish, WA
Posts: 15,325
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Re: drive shaft
Quote:
You want around 3/4 of an inch of the yoke exposed outside of the seal, 1-1/4 inch may be a bit too far out of the extension housing with a lot of yokes. What someone else has for length on the driveshaft may not jive with your truck as you may have the engine and trans slightly forward or rearward of what they did. Measure from center of U joint to center of u joint as he said and then take your tape measure to the wrecking yard and start looking. Make sure that the driveshaft you get has no dings or dents in it as that can cause vibration issues. <
__________________
Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around. |
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02-10-2014, 05:25 PM
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#7 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Lebanon, Ohio
Posts: 1,359
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Re: drive shaft
My TF (55.2) has a 700R4 in it and a Nova rear end. A cut-down '55 Chev passenger car shaft worked for me. It was about $140 to shorten it, including u-joints and balance.
__________________
Bob "It won't take long and it won't cost much." '55 3100 (383/700R4)--'55 Belair Sedan (350/4-speed)--'64 'Vette Conv. (327/4-speed)--'68 GTO Conv. (462/4-speed)--'69 Cutlass Conv. (350/TH350)--'06 'Vette Conv. (LS2/6-speed) Bob's Retirement Build - My 55 TF Bob's 700R4 Build (how-to) |
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02-10-2014, 06:01 PM
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#8 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Evansville In
Posts: 173
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Re: drive shaft
Quote:
I've built a few of these trucks, most of them the drive shafts end up being around 53" to 55" Short bed regular cab s10 is 53" most mid 90's caprice are 55" both have the same 3rl u joint as the 78 trans am. |
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02-10-2014, 07:27 PM
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#9 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Motown
Posts: 7,677
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Re: drive shaft
Quote:
__________________
cool, an ogre smiley  Ogre's 58 Truk buildhow to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer |
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02-10-2014, 08:03 PM
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#10 |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2012
Location: colorado
Posts: 114
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Re: drive shaft
Awesome info thanks to all of you for the info!!!!!
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02-10-2014, 09:53 PM
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#11 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Where Mountaineers are free
Posts: 397
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Re: drive shaft
I have a '53 with a SBC and a TH350 tranny, '78 Camaro rearend. A driveshaft from a 80s Chevy longbed 1/2 ton truck fit perfectly.
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02-10-2014, 11:15 PM
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#12 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Evansville In
Posts: 173
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Re: drive shaft
Quote:
Long bed 80's chevy truck drive shafts are about 70" center to center. |
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02-10-2014, 11:51 PM
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#13 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Toppenish, WA
Posts: 15,325
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Re: drive shaft
If you didn't have the engine nailed already and had a bit of leeway fore and aft you could always set the engine and trans in to work with a driveshaft you find that comes close to what you needed.
__________________
Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around. |
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02-11-2014, 08:12 AM
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#14 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Where Mountaineers are free
Posts: 397
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Re: drive shaft
My '53 is a shortbed. I thought the 80s truck was a longbed, maybe it wasn't, sorry. But it fit great.
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