Upon disassembly of our chassis, I noted that the input yoke was buried into the tailshaft of the transmission. I mean like 0 for/aft movement! The car has the original 455/400 short output shaft with O type differential (factory configured). I would suspect that the driveshaft may have been replaced at some point, obviously with one that is too long for comfort. However, towards the aft end it appears as though it is a smaller shaft slid into the parent shaft. Is this thing supposed to telescope and is just seized or is it just a case of the wrong part installed? Anyone else see this on their a body wagons?

 

Another picture

 

I've had several Vista Cruisers and one flat top wagon (70-72) and none had the too long problem you've described. I've found the two piece drivelines with a rubber insert between the two on several models, not just the wagons. What I've heard... this may or may not be true, is that the rubber can deteriorate and allow one piece of driveline to twist and cause vibration problems from the u-joints not matching. If your going to replace the driveline you may want to get a one piece unit just in case.

John

 

The automatic cars had the two piece w/rubber insert. A manual trans car was one piece on a '68 car. I use either one as a spare for the other in case I want to change a u-joint.

 

My 1969 Cutlass had the two piece driveshaft, but I had the opposite issue. The rubber insert gave way and the torque screwed the inner piece further into the outer piece, making the shaft too short. It was barely reaching into the transmission tailpiece. I had it rebuilt.

 

Thanks for the replies, I believe I'll just have a new one made in one piece configuration. Unfortunately I'll have to get it shortened again when we convert to 700R4...

 

I believe that my driveshaft issues have been resolved!. Thanks for the replies..

 

I had one built for my car local. Relatively inexpensive and no more worries on the 2 piece.