The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Need suggestions for a new propeller shaft 1940 Chevrolet 1/2 ton

1940 Chevrolet 1/2 Ton NW Arkansas

Does anyone know of a driveshaft company that can machine a whole new propeller shaft to go inside the torque tube? It's 60" long with male splines on one end and female splines on the other. I drove around all day talking to machine shops and driveshaft shops locally with no luck or leads. The journal where the rear bushing rides inside the torque tube is worn a few thousands. I thought about welding it up and turning it on my lathe but I don't have much experience with that. I'd be afraid to fatigue the shaft etc.. I have also considered the okie bushing but I would rather have the option of a new shaft before I go that route. It's not a hot rod, it'll have 4.11 gears with a 216. I also want to keep the original rear end for originality. The closer the NW Arkansas, the better.

Look into the "metal spray" process, where powdered metal is bonded to the surface after heating it with an acetylene flame. It was once used to repair worn crankshaft journals, so it should be plenty strong to build up the driveshaft. I've seen the system components and metalizing powder on Ebay on occasion. Once the surface is built up, it should be a simple procedure to turn the shaft back down to size, or use a tool post grinder to get a smooth, accurate diameter. If you don't get a hit closer to home, drop me a private message. "The difficult gets done at once- - - -the impossible just takes longer and costs more!" I've been living by that principle for the 60+ years I've been in the automotive business- - - -so far!

www.ebay.com/itm/394655260502?

Jerry

As another option, I have a 63" propeller shaft that could be shortened 3" by a driveshaft shop. It came from a 48 GMC so we would need to confirm diameters, teeth, etc. Just a thought.

It would also be possible to fabricate a sleeve to slip over the worn area and weld into place, then machine it back to the correct diameter. The worn area would need to be machined a bit smaller, make the sleeve slightly oversize, split it, and then weld it over the shaft. There would be less welding involved than building up the entire worn spot, with less chance of distortion, or changing the strength of the shaft. Lots of ways to skin this cat, but there needs to be some "outside the box" thinking that most shops won't consider.
Jerry

If you need to clean up just a few thou of wear just turn the shaft down till it cleans up, including the splined area and press a speedi-sleeve over the arrea where the bushing runs. Or use a bushing with a smaller ID. The little bit you take off the crest of the splines won’t hurt anything.

Klhansen, I looked into the speedi-sleeve and it is too narrow. The rear bushing is 1.5" wide while the speedi-sleeve is only 0.667" wide.

2 times .667 is close to 1.5”

Ed