The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Drive shaft Length

OK guys get your measuring devices out!
I have installed a Turbo 350 w/6"tailshaft onto my V8-327 and a 10 bolt Oldsmobuble rear end in my 1948 Chevy short bed Thriftmaster.
From center to center of the caps on the u-joints, how long should my driveshaft be? (With the space needed to move back and forth in the tranny) Thanx for your help!
Mike

wouldnt think they'd all be the same.....depends on wher you located your engine, tranny,rear end etc...to many variables.....dave

Mike, Dennys Driveshafts tells you how to measure for the proper length,http://www.dennysdriveshaft.com/how_to_measure.html Hope this helps! Frank

Hey coach-frank,
I just printed his measure form and wrote down my measurements but I'm not sure howmuch play to add for the trans yoke.
My measurements come out to 55 1/2" by their diagram and they say that they will subtract for the proper amount of slip travel. Thats what I dont know, before I cut and reweld my shaft.

David your wright also but I thought with these measurements some one would be able to give me a close figure.

Thanx guys!

The guy who cuts most driveshafts here in town, and has been doing it for about 40 years says my drive shaft can go in ONE inch and out TWO on "most standard" vehicles as a "general rule"
Here is a copy of the sheet he gave me on how to get the measurements for him. Hope it helps someone.

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r19/LutherParris/52Panel/img011.jpg

Bowtiesr4me, if you have a friend or neighbor with a lathe and welder you can modify a stock driveshaft with the correct yokes to fit your length. All that is required to shorten a driveshaft is to put it in a lathe and machine out one of the yoke welds and chop the tube to the desired length creating a square end. Then the yoke is inserted into the stub and rewelded and the job is done.

I've only done a couple of those and neither one vibrated. If it does vibrate a driveline shop can balance it. It's no more complicated than balancing a wheel. A small weight like a washer is tack welded on.

Thanx yar!
I have just the right man for the job.(good Retired mechinest)

Achipmunk, Thanx for the pics also, this way I know where to tell the man where to place the yoke.

HAGD!

Bowtie: yar makes this sound simple and it is IF your experienced and know what your doing. First and foremost is to be certain the yokes are in phase. If you don't understand this then take it to a driveline shop and have it done. It is nor expensive, I have years of experience building driveline for anything you can think of. probably 15-20% of our work was fixing the home-brew repairs.

Your length of 55" is the maximum for most driveshafts used with gas engines.