Driveshaft length??

[ClassicGuy]

I have a 70 c10 short bed. I put in a 383 stroker with a T400 tranny. I am looking to get a 1 piece drive shaft in stead of the 2 piece. Does anyone know what length driveshaft I need for that combo? I appreciate any help, thank you

[vidman]

If the engine and trans are in the truck you need to measure so you get the right length. can,t rely on what someone else has for their dimensions. Every build is a little different..

[ClassicGuy]

How would I go about it to measure the length?

[vidman]

If your going to have one built you need to measure from the centerline of the trans yoke to the centerline of the rear end yoke. If you have a bolt on trans yoke you need to convert it to a slip yoke, if your going to use a one piece shaft. Two piece shafts use a fixed yoke and the slip is on the rear half of the driveline. If your converting to a 1 piece driveshaft you need to make the transmission yoke the slip..

[Lee H]

Originally Posted by ClassicGuy

How would I go about it to measure the length?

Visit inland driveline web site, they, as well as others have excellent tutorials on measuring.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by ClassicGuy

How would I go about it to measure the length?

You may want to figure out where you are going to have the shaft made and ask them how they want it measured.

I measured one up ahead of time and when I went to the shop they made me redo all the measurements "their way".

K

[BRL]

Happy ending story for you:

I decided to replace the original 250-6/3-speed manual column shift trans. in my 1969 Chevy C-10 Short Stepside, for a 350 V-8/short tail Turbo-350 combo that I already had laying around here anyway.

I drilled out the original front riveted transmission cross member, and bolted in a turbo 400 cross member that had come out of a salvage yard '68 Chevy Suburban.

I was all ready to measure the driveshaft length for a custom one, but to my pleasant surprise, discovered that the original driveshaft slid right in and was actually the correct length for that application.

I did not remove...or even move the original engine mount brackets for that six cylinder engine, but it appears from the holes located in the truck frame, that you could actually move those brackets forward/backward if necessary...(didn't know that previously)



In short: Explore all your options before ordering a new driveshaft.

BTW, having the engine sitting back that far really puts my GM HEI distributor cap close to the firewall, but it does have enough room, and having the engine sitting back that far helps with the weight transfer upon acceleration...or so I've heard.



Bent the front of the trans. cross member frame down in a couple of spots to allow me to gain access to, and tighten up, those rear transmission oil pan bolts without having to loosen the entire works first...leaky little...



ETA:...oh yea...gotta throw in a pic. of my truck!

[jackyl9999]

I recently ordered a 1 piece for my 6.0/4L80e combo that I am putting in my 70 SWB.

I did some looking around and found "Driveshaft specialists of Texas". I called them and explained what I had. They were extremely helpful and knew what they was talking about. I got a 1 piece steel drive shaft, with a new 4l80 yoke and top shelf Spicer u-joints for 300 bucks.

http://www.driveshaftspecialist.com/

They are honest straight shooting guys. I know this because my first driveshaft I received didn't look quite right. The slip yoke was showing a little too much for my taste. I called them and they had me give them my measurements again. Upon investigation, the guy who took my order wrote down one of measurements incorrectly. (off 1/2 a inch). They built me a new driveshaft, sent it to me with paid return shipping the same day.

I will definitely buy from them again.

[Tom Vogel]

Originally Posted by Lee H

Visit inland driveline web site, they, as well as others have excellent tutorials on measuring.

http://www.iedls.com/ ^^^ X2