1952-59 Ford Driveshaft and u joint question?

Decided to be a little different and run a 65 Buick engine and super turbine trans. Everything is pretty much done but what to do for a driveshaft. I know I can get one made.....but what did they do back in the day with a gm swap? Is there a conversion u joint for the Ford style with the winged caps to the larger gm cross and cap size? Any help appreciated, I have the stock Buick driveshaft and the Ford but tube diameter is way different. Thanks

 

find one that has the right size do some research visit a junk yard

 

When you get one made it's a lot cheaper to have a good drive shaft that is longer than what you need to get cut down . The yokes can be welded up when you get the d/s done . The machinist can get the yokes you need or find one that fits the trans and the machinist can do the ones for the d/s . The yoke for the trans is the one that costs , so find that one . If you have the one that cam with the engine & trans you got that would be good to take and have done .
You can always check Ebay or try a Wanted post on the HAMB first . There are a lot of guys running those engines and I will bet someone has the drive line parts you will need .

Jim

 

If the Buick shaft is longer that is a good thing you will already have the correct input yoke,look up your local drive shaft shops in the yellow pages and pay them a visit they can tell you how to measure the shaft correctly so it can be cut to the proper length.Take your Ford shaft along so they can measure the Ford joint,NEAPCO is the company that makes the conversion joints that you will need to make the swap.

 

To measure the shaft correctly, you need to put the car up on the suspension. That means jack stands under the rear axle and both front A-arms. If you have the Buick yoke off, all the better. Put the yoke into the trans with about 1 1/4 inches of the yoke showing from the rear of the trans. You'll probably see where the shiny spot on your yoke ends from working in the Buick trans. Then measure from the CENTER of the bearing cap of the yoke back to the CENTER of your rear yoke on the diff where the bearing cap seats. That will be the new length and the measurement you give to the machinist to make your new shaft to. Center to center of the U-joint bearings.

 

I just had a driveshaft shop do mine in my 54. (302/AOD and the stock rear axle)

Like JeffB2 said, I called them and they told me exactly where to measure, then I took the stock driveshaft in. They used a later model driveshaft and ordered a NEAPC conversion joint to make it all work.

It looks perfect....like it came from the factory that way.

There were several shops in my area, but I chose the one that had been in business for 30 years and listed in their ad that they used NEAPCO joints. When I took it in, the guy just yawned....no big deal for him.