Hello all! I've been building my traditional A-v8 coupe for the last couple years and I recently had to contend with shortening the ford torque tube and driveshaft. There is a tremendous amount of great threads on here already for that which is all well and fine and they appear to work well. More to the point, I've spent a large amount of time and money making 1 driveshaft that i was sure i could trust to be straight and do the job plus. From all the digging and reading that ive done, I found that it would appear that any one that was making an early ford type "cut to fit" shaft is no longer manufacturing them (yes I'm aware i could be wrong). I am hoping that this would be a great opportunity to contribute to the hot rod community for those that dont have the tools, knowledge or flat out are tired of dealing with the entire "fun" process of making/finding/salvaging a drive shaft. It will be similar to the Dick Spadaro cut to fit shaft. Sooo short story long i would like to manufacture a "cut to fit" version of what i came up with and i'm curious about the level of interest and/or questions/ concerns that would go with it. Most importantly the level of intrest. Would you rather make your own? Is there a price you would be comfortable with? etc. I want to make them as universal as possible. So lets have it. what do you think? Im open to all ideas and opinions, please keep them relevant and polite p.s. I am aware I am kind of vague on specifics, but I'm in the infant stages here and would like to get a feel for what you as a builder are looking for. If your even looking at all THANX
I certainly am not trying to discourage anyone that's willing to support this hobby by manufacturing quality parts. If your seeing an unfilled need here and can make a few bucks and help some folks out that's awesome but I personally never had a problem finding a driveshaft to use. I've done a few of these now and have bought a banjo rear, cut the shaft to length and had it resplined on the side closest to the rear end. Re pinned the coupler (proper term?) and shortened the tube moved the radius rod mount and done. Except for waiting for the machine work which is under a hundred bucks where I go it's an afternoon project. Maybe good driveshaft are hard to find in different areas? I don't know but not really in my own experience. If you go for it good luck and post pics.
Sounds like a good idea if your cost and sell price works out.With different engine trans combo's it would be a one off in many cases.
Just for your information,i spoke to dick(spadero) about these shafts maybe 3 years before he died and he told me he was having alot of problems with the cut to fit shafts.It seems customers were not assembling them correctly with regard to checking for run out and then blaming him when they had vibration problems.Bob
I think the best option is as Adam401 said. Cut the shaft and cut new splines. I even think its smart to use the center bearing. Keeps everything running smooth!
The driveshaft need to be pretty accurate in length. It sets the end clearance on the speedo gear. Too short and the snap won't go on or too long and the gear moves around. I set my clearance at about 1/8".
Thanx for all the input gents. That was pretty well what I expected to hear. sounds like its all risk and hard to find rewards. No loss, still got a bitchin drive shaft
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