The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Driveshaft for 1950 3600 with 350 v8 & Turbo 350

I know it's been some time since I've posted here, but I've been working diligently on my 1950 3600 as spare time allows.
I reached the point that I was ready to drop a driveshaft into my truck and was resigned to the idea that I would have to have one custom made. I was pleasantly surprised to find that a 65-68 Chevy Impala driveshaft will fit nicely, and cost me a whole lot less on Ebay. The yoke is a perfect fit. The only change is the rear universal joint has to be changed to a crossover joint (part #348 from Napa I believe).
I just wanted to share this info with those of you who are looking at dropping a small block into a 3600 AD truck. FYI, the driveshaft is 62" center of U-joint to center of U-joint.
Good luck, and thanks to The Bolt. This board has been a tremendous help to me over the last 7 years.

I knew I'd forget something. My truck has a later model 14 bolt FF rear end in the original location, hence the need for the crossover joint.

Good work! Thanks for sharing with us!

Thanks for the info,50-3600-guy.

I've got a similar problem in that I have an 81 C3 Vette TH350C and driveshaft. Obviously that will require lengthening!
The problem I have is I'm using an 86 Firebird (Borg Warner) rear axle and have discovered the UJ sizes are different too.
I ordered a 'crossover' UJ from Speedway and it doesn't fit!
Can you (or anyone else for that matter) tell me what UJ I actually need?

I would measure the cap diameter of the driveshaft and the cap diameter of the axle then look on the napa website for a match. The napa website gives the dimensions of the u-joints online.
Measure with a caliper, not a tape measure (for accuracy).
Good luck!

Thanks....all I got to do now is find a NAPA store over here!
Joking apart, their site will be useful in working out the sizes.
I'll have a word with the guys doing my driveshaft, at least that way I'll have some idea what I'm talking about!

Dumb question: what's a cross over joint ? Can someone post a picture ?

Just a word of caution re. long drive shafts, be sure to have a professional balance the piece. A buddy of mine made a long driveshaft for his 3/4 ton pickup, it came apart on a downhill and launched the truck over the side. He survived but the rig was totaled.

Basically it's a universal joint that has different bearing cup sizes on opposing axis'.
This allows you to 'adapt' for example a Pontiac pinion yolk to a Corvette driveshaft.

Drove a car with a badly balance driveshaft once.....never again!

Most driveshaft shops I've dealt with balance them as a matter of course.

might not be a bad idea to include a driveshaft hoop. It holds the shaft off the ground in case of failure.

Good idea, a friend of mine found out.....the hard way!

Jock, find a truck driveshaft place. They will take care of you. Most Caterpillar facilities can help as well.

Thanks Scott,I found a place just 6 miles away...
They specialise in Trucks/agricultural equipment.

They gave me a 'ball park' estimate,the price seemed pretty fair.

Since I'm using a whole driveshaft from another vehicle, and it's not being cut or modified I would assume it's already balanced.
That being said, I know what can happen when you "assume", so having it rebalanced is a good idea. The same goes when acquiring a junkyard shaft. Just good sense. Adding a loop is also a good idea when utilizing a long shaft, and I intend to do that as well.
Thanks to all for some good input. Safety First!

Mine is a 51 3600 with SBC and a 10 bolt Camaro rear. I had a drive shaft shop that knows their stuff to build mine. Cost $110.00. and worth twice that to me.