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Old 02-09-2014, 04:12 PM   #1
klutz51
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drive shaft

I am at the drive shaft point of the build, and was wondering if anyone knows a good drive shaft (used) to start with. 51 half ton 700r4 and 78 trans am rear end. I am looking for a shaft that will fit both at both trans and rear end that is a good start. Thanks for any info.
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Old 02-10-2014, 02:47 AM   #2
Henry50
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Re: drive shaft

If you have a yoke to slide in the trans, jack up the rear of the truck set the rear end on jack stands.
Slide the yoke in the trans till it stops then pull it out about 1 1/4".
Measure from the center of the u joint to the center of the u joint on the rear end.

Post what the measurements are,
should be around 53"-55".
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Old 02-10-2014, 07:11 AM   #3
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Re: drive shaft

Summit now offers these universal shafts that you cut weld and install. Cheap? No, but if you want a brand new shaft that isn't bent they are a good option.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/p.../universal/yes
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Old 02-10-2014, 11:02 AM   #4
alaska gasser
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Re: drive shaft

Hit your local wrecker with a measuring tape. We just put one in a buddies
'50 that was the right length. It was lying loose with several others, but they thought it came from a Monte Carlo.
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Old 02-10-2014, 11:06 AM   #5
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Re: drive shaft

That's what i thought but was not sure if it was Camaro, Monte Carlo or Chevelle. I want to get one from a yard and if i have to have it shortened that is cool. thanks
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Old 02-10-2014, 04:27 PM   #6
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Re: drive shaft

Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry50 View Post
If you have a yoke to slide in the trans, jack up the rear of the truck set the rear end on jack stands.
Slide the yoke in the trans till it stops then pull it out about 1 1/4".
Measure from the center of the u joint to the center of the u joint on the rear end.

Post what the measurements are,
should be around 53"-55".

You want around 3/4 of an inch of the yoke exposed outside of the seal, 1-1/4 inch may be a bit too far out of the extension housing with a lot of yokes.
What someone else has for length on the driveshaft may not jive with your truck as you may have the engine and trans slightly forward or rearward of what they did.

Measure from center of U joint to center of u joint as he said and then take your tape measure to the wrecking yard and start looking.

Make sure that the driveshaft you get has no dings or dents in it as that can cause vibration issues.

<
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Old 02-10-2014, 05:25 PM   #7
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Re: drive shaft

My TF (55.2) has a 700R4 in it and a Nova rear end. A cut-down '55 Chev passenger car shaft worked for me. It was about $140 to shorten it, including u-joints and balance.
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Old 02-10-2014, 06:01 PM   #8
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Re: drive shaft

Quote:
Originally Posted by mr48chev View Post
You want around 3/4 of an inch of the yoke exposed outside of the seal, 1-1/4 inch may be a bit too far out of the extension housing with a lot of yokes.
What someone else has for length on the driveshaft may not jive with your truck as you may have the engine and trans slightly forward or rearward of what they did.

Measure from center of U joint to center of u joint as he said and then take your tape measure to the wrecking yard and start looking.

Make sure that the driveshaft you get has no dings or dents in it as that can cause vibration issues.

<
Every driveline shop in this area recommends 1 1/4".
I've built a few of these trucks, most of them the drive shafts end up being around 53" to 55"

Short bed regular cab s10 is 53" most mid 90's caprice are 55" both have the same 3rl u joint as the 78 trans am.
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Old 02-10-2014, 07:27 PM   #9
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Re: drive shaft

Quote:
Originally Posted by klutz51 View Post
I want to get one from a yard and if i have to have it shortened that is cool. thanks
this is your most economical way to go, short of finding the right length in the junk yard.
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Old 02-10-2014, 08:03 PM   #10
klutz51
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Re: drive shaft

Awesome info thanks to all of you for the info!!!!!
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Old 02-10-2014, 09:53 PM   #11
72Mountaineer
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Re: drive shaft

I have a '53 with a SBC and a TH350 tranny, '78 Camaro rearend. A driveshaft from a 80s Chevy longbed 1/2 ton truck fit perfectly.
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Old 02-10-2014, 11:15 PM   #12
Henry50
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Re: drive shaft

Quote:
Originally Posted by 72Mountaineer View Post
I have a '53 with a SBC and a TH350 tranny, '78 Camaro rearend. A driveshaft from a 80s Chevy longbed 1/2 ton truck fit perfectly.
Is your truck a long bed?
Long bed 80's chevy truck drive shafts are about 70" center to center.
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Old 02-10-2014, 11:51 PM   #13
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Re: drive shaft

If you didn't have the engine nailed already and had a bit of leeway fore and aft you could always set the engine and trans in to work with a driveshaft you find that comes close to what you needed.
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71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant.
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Old 02-11-2014, 08:12 AM   #14
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Re: drive shaft

My '53 is a shortbed. I thought the 80s truck was a longbed, maybe it wasn't, sorry. But it fit great.
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