Hey guys, I am modifying my 60 olds by mating a modified 700r4 to the 394. THe drive shaft will need to be cut down, but its a two piece drive shaft. Looks simple enough to handle, but would it be better to swap the whole thing out for a single drive shaft?
I am doing the same thing to a '64 Impala SS and would also like to know if I can make just a one piece? Seems the frame center section might not let a single shaft travel enough up and down or that the drive shaft angle would be hinderd by it........... sorry dunno!
Without major revisions to the x-frame I think you are stuck with a 2 peice drive shaft...but I guess anything is possible!
i dont think you can do a one piece. ive got a 58 chevy and ive been going over driveshaft options also. mine binds when the wheels are hanging, no way a one piece would ever clear. check with a local drive shaft place, or online, like dennys driveshafts. im thinkin of goin with one like that. 3 inch aluminum, splined slip joint, hardmounted carrier. ive had problems with the flimsy carrier bearings shearing in half. ill be watching this thread
Just get your drive shaft cut. I use a shop that does drive line work on dump trucks. The last one I had him do for me cost $15. He cut the yoke off cut a couple inches out of the tube and welded it back in on his lunch hour. That was a while back may cost more now but for a few bucks your problem is solved. Just be sure of your measurement's.
The Chevy 2 pc. drive lines are very small diameter. After twisting many of the originals, I found that a '62 Falcon drive shaft was just the right length. I cut a notch in the bottom of the frame, and opened up the center web a little. I would recommend fabricating a reinforcement for the bottom of the X. Never had another problem with the drive shaft, of course it now broke spider gears and axles.
Unfortunately, I sold the '62 about 15 years ago. It started out with a 300 HP 327, and progressed to a 409 I built out of someone else's left overs. I used to drive it very "aggressively" . 6 grand clutch dumps are very hard on parts.
my 58 has a healthy 355 and im always killin th350s and carriers. once those are built good, then itll prolly kill the rear, lol
THanks guys - I think Evil-Wicked... has the right idea. It will be a lot easier to cut down the original shaft. And since it is an X-frame, I would have to modify the frame to account for the 1 piece shaft and the angles would be in question. Its amazing this design works as it does. thanks again.
I read a long long time ago in Lowrider Magazine (I know I know... I was in Iraq and had very few things to read) the horrors of guys trying one piece driveshafts in x frame cars. Not only is the distance too long, you have imbalance issues, u joints that are too small to handle that distance of shaft and clearance issues. Also get the awsome neoprene encased carrier bearing. Way better than the loosey goosey rubber p.o.s.
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