Chevy Rear, 72 cutlass/442 driveshaft and shorttail TH400? does not add up :(
#1
Chevy Rear, 72 cutlass/442 driveshaft and shorttail TH400? does not add up :(
Not sure if any of you had a similar experience, my cutlass came with a chevy rear (just found out), so while mounting a shortail TH400 and driveshaft with a th400 yoke, the driveshaft is not fitting!
The issue is not the yoke since it's fully inserted, the actual length of the driveshaft is 56 3/4ths and it needs to be around 54 3/8ths to comfortably fit.
Did anyone experience a similar issue before? Yes, I will one day get a Olds rear but for now need a fast solution. I am looking to find driveshaft with measurement above, reaching out to chevelle driveshaft owners on craigs for measurements.
If all fails, may need to have the driveshaft reduced by a shop.
thanks
The issue is not the yoke since it's fully inserted, the actual length of the driveshaft is 56 3/4ths and it needs to be around 54 3/8ths to comfortably fit.
Did anyone experience a similar issue before? Yes, I will one day get a Olds rear but for now need a fast solution. I am looking to find driveshaft with measurement above, reaching out to chevelle driveshaft owners on craigs for measurements.
If all fails, may need to have the driveshaft reduced by a shop.
thanks
#3
I saw an ad on new england cl maybe boston the guy had 3-4 DSs and measurements listed on the ad
boston can be done in a day from NJ
edit found it;
http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/pts/3501808461.html
man I have a brilliant memory !!!! well for things like this, no-one tell my wife because as far as shes concerned i cant remember squat
boston can be done in a day from NJ
edit found it;
http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/pts/3501808461.html
man I have a brilliant memory !!!! well for things like this, no-one tell my wife because as far as shes concerned i cant remember squat
Last edited by RetroRanger; December 27th, 2012 at 07:42 PM.
#4
I saw an ad on new england cl maybe boston the guy had 3-4 DSs and measurements listed on the ad
boston can be done in a day from NJ
edit found it;
http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/pts/3501808461.html
man I have a brilliant memory !!!! well for things like this, no-one tell my wife because as far as shes concerned i cant remember squat
boston can be done in a day from NJ
edit found it;
http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/pts/3501808461.html
man I have a brilliant memory !!!! well for things like this, no-one tell my wife because as far as shes concerned i cant remember squat
#5
I've got a 72 with a chevelle 10 bolt.
The stock driveshaft for an Olds rear with th400 is 54 1/2". I found the chevelle 10 bolt to be shorter than the Olds diff, requiring a longer shaft. Not sure what your driveshaft came off of, maybe a chevelle with a th350? But it was only $70 to have a driveshaft shortened locally.
You also might want to check engine, driveline, and pinion angles with the chevy rear.
The stock driveshaft for an Olds rear with th400 is 54 1/2". I found the chevelle 10 bolt to be shorter than the Olds diff, requiring a longer shaft. Not sure what your driveshaft came off of, maybe a chevelle with a th350? But it was only $70 to have a driveshaft shortened locally.
You also might want to check engine, driveline, and pinion angles with the chevy rear.
#6
i am running a Chevy 12 bolt rear........I had a custom shaft made as I remember my stock one was to short......the spline didnt go far enough on the tail shaft...Maybe there's a difference between 10 bolt and 12 bolt Chevy rear ends? Just saying if its working theres nothing wrong with running a Chevy rearend......
#7
http://www.axle-exchange.com/
found this place nearby, may just stop by and get it shortened for $125, seems they are on the pricey side.
found this place nearby, may just stop by and get it shortened for $125, seems they are on the pricey side.
#9
It wouldn't cost much more than that to have a whole new drive shaft made. I'd pull the yoke out 3/4 of an inch and measure. The measurement is center to center on the U joints.
Last edited by oldcutlass; December 28th, 2012 at 08:40 AM.
#10
I don't think you have the correct shaft to begin with.A 71-72 Cutlass/442,with TH400 transmission,and the original 8.5" 10-bolt,came with a driveshaft that was 54 3/4" tip to tip,or 53 1/4" from the center of the u-joint hole,to the center of the other u-joint hole.The overall length,from the rear tip,to the end of the yoke,should be about 60 5/8".The only rear that would require a noticably longer shaft,is the 12-bolt O-axle.It sounds like your shaft might have come from a 68-70 Cutlass/442,or someone could have taken a longer TH350 shaft,and installed a TH400 yoke on it.
If you indeed have an 8.2" 10-bolt Chevy rear,then the u-joint needed for that yoke,is a 1310.If it is the 8.5" 10-bolt,or BOP 8.2" 10-bolt,then it will take a 3R u-joint.
If you indeed have an 8.2" 10-bolt Chevy rear,then the u-joint needed for that yoke,is a 1310.If it is the 8.5" 10-bolt,or BOP 8.2" 10-bolt,then it will take a 3R u-joint.
#11
For around $200 you can order the size you want online that comes with 2 new U joints and yoke. I did that rather than spend the same amount on modifying corroded 40 year old parts.
http://www.axle-exchange.com/
found this place nearby, may just stop by and get it shortened for $125, seems they are on the pricey side.
found this place nearby, may just stop by and get it shortened for $125, seems they are on the pricey side.
#12
The shaft we are trying (thought should work) to use is supposed to be out of a big block Pontiac Lemans 1971 with a Turbo 400 trans, and it is too long by about two inches. After digging I found a shaft missing the yoke and it is 55 inches ear tip to ear tip. I think it will work. With this project we are swapping in a 455 and Turbo 400 in Ed's 72 Cutlass conv that had a 350 Olds engine and a long shaft Turbo 375 trans in it. Funny the shaft we pulled out was junkyard labeled Camaro.
#13
http://www.axle-exchange.com/
found this place nearby, may just stop by and get it shortened for $125, seems they are on the pricey side.
found this place nearby, may just stop by and get it shortened for $125, seems they are on the pricey side.
Im glad Joe was able to dig out a DS which hopefully will work, thanks for all the helpful feedback.
#15
RULE #1 There is no such thing as a bigblock Pontiac! HaHa.
The 72 Lemans uses an 8.2" 10-bolt,which requires a slightly longer shaft,compared to the 8.5",so the driveshaft WILL be longer than a Cutlass shaft of the same era.
The longshaft TH375/TH400 take a considerably shorter shaft,so a Camaro shaft might ust work for that,as they are considerably shorter.I have one.They might have also started with a Camaro shaft,and shortened it more,who knows.
If a company can't shorten a shaft just because the diameters change,then they have no business doing driveshafts.They make different ends for different diameters,and to do it right,they would put a new end on it anyway.I can get them done here,correctly,with new Spicer u-joints at each end,balanced,and even painted,for $125.00 or less.
The 72 Lemans uses an 8.2" 10-bolt,which requires a slightly longer shaft,compared to the 8.5",so the driveshaft WILL be longer than a Cutlass shaft of the same era.
The longshaft TH375/TH400 take a considerably shorter shaft,so a Camaro shaft might ust work for that,as they are considerably shorter.I have one.They might have also started with a Camaro shaft,and shortened it more,who knows.
If a company can't shorten a shaft just because the diameters change,then they have no business doing driveshafts.They make different ends for different diameters,and to do it right,they would put a new end on it anyway.I can get them done here,correctly,with new Spicer u-joints at each end,balanced,and even painted,for $125.00 or less.
#18
The turbo 400 yoke was attached to the 55 inch drive shaft, which went in fine, and will work fine. Optimally the yoke could have gone into the trans another 1/2 inch to be "perfect". I have no idea what this 55 inch shaft came out of. I accumulated quite a stash of driveshafts over the years....long story. Thanks for all the replies and suggestions.
#19
i am running a Chevy 12 bolt rear........I had a custom shaft made as I remember my stock one was to short......the spline didnt go far enough on the tail shaft...Maybe there's a difference between 10 bolt and 12 bolt Chevy rear ends? Just saying if its working theres nothing wrong with running a Chevy rearend......
Last edited by archeryshooter; January 2nd, 2013 at 09:23 AM.
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