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#1
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Measuring for driveshaft
I did exactly what I was told 3 times and came up with the same measurements. I went to install the shaft today and it was 1 1/4 too long approximately. I called Carolina driveline and they basically gave me the same instructions. They told me not to measure the shaft and subtract but to start over like I was starting from scratch and then come and have it shortened. How do I measure for the driveshaft the easiest way? You guys with early A bodies with TKO transmissions how long is yours
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468/TKO600 Ford thru bolt equipped 64 Tempest Custom. Custom Nocturne Blue with black interior. |
#2
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Make sure the suspension is loaded like on ground or a drive on lift. Measure from tail shaft seal to the bolt flange surface of the pinion yoke (this is center point of u-joint). Also measure the distance from tail shaft seal surface to tip of tail shaft.
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Will Rivera '69 Firebird 400/461, 290+ E D-Ports, HR 230/236, 4l80E, 8.5 Rear, 3.55 gears '64 LeMans 400/461, #16 Heads, HR 230/236, TKO600, 9inch Rear, 3.89 gears '69 LeMans Vert, 350, #47 heads: Non-running project |
#3
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When I did mine I put the front wheels on a pair of car ramps about 8 inches tall.
Then I used a quality floor jack and raised the rear axle until the frame was basically the same height front to rear, (measured behind the wheel wells on the front and in front of the rear tires. I then installed my constructed wooded 2X6 "Boxes" under the rear tires at that height. So now the tires were all at the same height and the chassis was loaded to the proper weight on the suspension. Then I went under the car and measured the distance from the yoke (pulled out 1 inch) to the Rear Axle Pinion Flange. Then they built the drive shaft one time. EASY Tom V.
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"Engineers do stuff for reasons" Tom Vaught Despite small distractions, there are those who will go Forward, Learning, Sharing Knowledge, Doing what they can to help others move forward. Last edited by Tom Vaught; 12-03-2021 at 12:18 AM. |
#4
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When I did 5 speed swaps I used my stock shaft and just shortened as needed.Tom
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#5
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You measure from the butt of the tailshaft on the transmission...not the housing, but the end of the shaft itself...to the flat face of the U-joint saddle on the rear yoke. This will give you the measurement from the butt of the tailshaft to the centerline of the rear U-joint This is the only measurement I've ever had to provide and a competent driveshaft shop should be able to make it right the first time.
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Just a blind squirrel looking for a nut. |
#6
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Strange did mine and they had a fill in the blank blueprint you get off their site. It came in the mail in a week and fit perfect. I would imagine your people do too
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Chris D 69 GTO Liberty Blue/dark blue 467, 850 Holley, T2, Edelbrock Dport 310cfm w Ram Air manifolds, HFT 245/251D .561/.594L, T400, 9" w 3.50s 3905lbs 11.59@ 114, 1.57/ 60' |
#7
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I think the best you can do is ask whomever is going to shorten your DS as to how they want it measured.
I always put the front yoke in the trans as far as it will go in, pull it out an inch. With the suspension loaded measure from centerline of front yoke U joint bearing bore to flat of the rear yoke. The flat of the rear yoke is the centerline of rear U joint bearing.
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1978 Black & Gold T/A [complete 70 Ram Air III (carb to pan) PQ and 12 bolt], fully loaded, deluxe, WS6, T-Top car - 1972 Formula 455HO Ram Air numbers matching Julep Green - 1971 T/A 455, 320 CFM Eheads, RP cam, Doug's headers, Fuel injection, TKX 5 Spd. 12 Bolt 3.73, 4 wheel disc. All A/C cars |
The Following User Says Thank You to FrankieT/A For This Useful Post: | ||
#8
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Mark Williams I got for the Camaro/IA using their measurements AND their trans yoke was perfect but using the other factory type yoke would have been too long-as it was the same length as that for the ST-10/12 bolt that would not fit the TH400.
The trans yokes all have different depths.
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Skip Fix 1978 Trans Am original owner 10.99 @ 124 pump gas 455 E heads, NO Bird ever! 1981 Black SE Trans Am stockish 6X 400ci, turbo 301 on a stand 1965 GTO 4 barrel 3 speed project 2004 GTO Pulse Red stock motor computer tune 13.43@103.4 1964 Impala SS 409/470ci 600 HP stroker project 1979 Camaro IAII Edelbrock head 500" 695 HP 10.33@132 3595lbs |
#9
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The front is where things get "different". The rear is easy...flat part of YOKE = U-Joint centerline. CHECK. Now the front all depends on YOUR YOKE. There anr at least 2 different th400 yokes and IIRC 3 different th350 yokes. THEY will need the YOKE you are going to use. Either install yoke in your tranny till it bottoms out then measure from u-joint center to rear AND SUBTRACT 3/4" (it's gotta be able to move in and out some)
OR as stated measure from the rear to the END OF THE OUTPUT SHAFT.....and carry your front yoke to the shop so they know EXACTLY which yoke and THEY will adjust your measurement per YOUR parts. |
#10
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All good points as as Chris indicated best to follow instructions provided by the driveline shop. I’ve dealt with 3 different shops and all require different points of measurements. Maybe instructions weren’t followed correctly?
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Will Rivera '69 Firebird 400/461, 290+ E D-Ports, HR 230/236, 4l80E, 8.5 Rear, 3.55 gears '64 LeMans 400/461, #16 Heads, HR 230/236, TKO600, 9inch Rear, 3.89 gears '69 LeMans Vert, 350, #47 heads: Non-running project |
#11
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Excellent video on taking the measurements for a new driveshaft. Shows the differnce between loaded and unloaded measurements. Can't go wrong if you follow this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwHU-AxX4uI
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Bill Strobel Owner Independent Towing 1965 GTO Nightwatch Blue/Aqua 2005 GTO Quick Silver/Red Fayetteville, NC Do It Right or Don't Do It All |
The Following User Says Thank You to theamcguy For This Useful Post: | ||
#12
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64 - did you figure it out?
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Will Rivera '69 Firebird 400/461, 290+ E D-Ports, HR 230/236, 4l80E, 8.5 Rear, 3.55 gears '64 LeMans 400/461, #16 Heads, HR 230/236, TKO600, 9inch Rear, 3.89 gears '69 LeMans Vert, 350, #47 heads: Non-running project |
#13
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I measured again and was off by an inch this time I am gonna measure again and again just to be sure THEN take pictures of the tape measure placement AND take my yoke. If that ain’t right then I guess I’m an idiot
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468/TKO600 Ford thru bolt equipped 64 Tempest Custom. Custom Nocturne Blue with black interior. |
#14
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Gotcha - was the suspension loaded first time around?
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Will Rivera '69 Firebird 400/461, 290+ E D-Ports, HR 230/236, 4l80E, 8.5 Rear, 3.55 gears '64 LeMans 400/461, #16 Heads, HR 230/236, TKO600, 9inch Rear, 3.89 gears '69 LeMans Vert, 350, #47 heads: Non-running project |
#15
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I measured from housing face to rear yoke like I was told by tech from American Powertrain. I have to admit I am not really impressed with the “tech support” 24 hours my ass and they don’t seem to have a consensus among them.
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468/TKO600 Ford thru bolt equipped 64 Tempest Custom. Custom Nocturne Blue with black interior. |
#16
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Great vid.
Quote:
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“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan Press On! has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” ― Calvin Coolidge |
#17
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If that is what you measured...then you MAY only need a different YOKE!! instead of cutting the drive shaft. Might ask them to compare YOUR yoke to the "numbers" THEY are using.
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#18
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Quote:
The video posted is good to illustrate the change from loaded to unloaded but doesn't indicate how far to pull slip yoke out for measurement. Always best to follow specific instructions from driveline shop.
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Will Rivera '69 Firebird 400/461, 290+ E D-Ports, HR 230/236, 4l80E, 8.5 Rear, 3.55 gears '64 LeMans 400/461, #16 Heads, HR 230/236, TKO600, 9inch Rear, 3.89 gears '69 LeMans Vert, 350, #47 heads: Non-running project Last edited by grivera; 12-09-2021 at 08:48 AM. |
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