How many tailshaft lengths are there for the 350?!?

[GMC406]

So I got my new eng, got the engine bay all cleaned and painted and ready for its new heart. I had been looking for a 2wd 350 trans for awile and someone finnally brought me one. At first Im stoked cause now I can drop in my new motor, then I got to looking and the tailshafts were different. The one that came out of my 71 has aproximatly a 6.5 inch tailshaft, the one dude brought me and the other 2wd tranny i seen both have aprx. 9.5 inch tailshafts. I have a 350 froma a 4wd with a steel transfer case that has about a 1 inch tailshaft, and one from a 4wd with a alluminum transfer case that has aprx 5 inch tailshaft. I had always been told there was just 2wd and 4wd differences. Now its back on the search for a shorter tranny.....

[au03z71]

The 6" and 9" were the only ones I knew about...

[Mixup]

There are 6",9" and 12".

[GMC406]

saying 6" 9" and 12" are you speaking as in measureing the entire tailshaft? I am just measureing from where the tailcone bolts to since they are still on.

[mr48chev]

I belive that is what he is saying. from the flat surface on the back of the trans case that the tail cone bolts to.

Depending on application there were different length tailshafts and cones.

[sweet70beast]

Back when the 700r4 first came out they weren't very reliable, which is why we are told to avoid the early years of those. When someone would have problems with theirs they would want to keep an auto but not want that one. Gas was still fairly cheap so an overdrive didn't mater. The fix was to take a 6 inch tailshaft 2wd 350 and put a 2 inch aluminum spacer on the back of it which would make it the same lenght as a 700r4 and bolt it in. That way they didn't have to mess with lenghtening one drivesahft and shortening the other. It accually worked pretty slick. I have seen a few of them. There are getting to be fewer and fewer around because the later years 700r4s got better and it was a nobrainer to swap one back in.
It sounds to me like you have one of those in your aluminum T-case 4x4 setup. If you could post a pic I could tell you for sure. I would say if that trans works you might have an eiser and cheaper time finding just the cone to fit that six inch output. In fact I may have one kicking around here somewhere I'll give you for the cost of the ride. Jared

[GMC406]

theses are the 4x4 trannys, the longer one was on my 83 chevy alm t case, the snub nose came off a 80 chev blazer or burb

[westofb]

I just recently had my 350 rebuilt, mine was 6" tail shaft. Actually, I used my old one as a core, trans shop built one for me (they will ask you tail shaft length), if you are going for a rebuilt one (I would, since your motor is new and you have prettied up the engine compartment), most trans shops can get you what you need. Mine cost me $410, that was rebuilt, with new stock convertor, fairbanks shift improver installed.

[GMC406]

My buddy finnally found one for me, just a used stocker, thats all I can afford right now. There is a performance tranny shop not too far from here that can build me one for 1200, should be practically bulletproof for that. It will be awile till I can afford that so for now I just plan on shelling through a couple used stockers. Im sure they wont like the 450hp, and from what I have been told its hard to get a 350 to hold that anyway so guess I gotta spend some money!

[Mixup]

Yes I'm measuring tailshaft lengths. They are all the same from the bellhousing to the mount. The tailshafts are 6",9" and 12".

[sweet70beast]

For future reference here is a link to a picture of the adapter I had mentioned earlier.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=301551