1952-59 Ford Shortened driveline ?'s

I have to get the drive line in my 53' shortened are there any rules of thumb I should do before taking the shaft into the shop? I slid the slip yoke in the trans all the way and it appears to only be 1/2 inch to long at the rear u-joint. I was told that because it's lowered it needs to be at least a full inch to a inch and a half shorter then my measurement. Car is running a 351w, c6, and a 9 inch if that helps with the rule making . Thanks in advance for any info

 

It's my understanding that you put the front yoke all the way into the transmission and, with the weight on the axles, measure the distance between the center of the front U-joint cup and the center of the rear U-joint cup.

Tell the driveshaft specialty shop that your car is lowered, and how much. If they need more information, they'll ask.

They will build the shaft to the proper length. You don't need to do the calculations yourself. That's their job. They have the knowledge and are the experts.

I'll be doing this on my own car soon. Let us know how it works out for you.

Eric

 

Yoke should NOT be all they way into the trans Leave it out about an inch (weight on the rearend). Then take your measurement from the rear to the yoke. Gotta leave room for the yoke to slide.

Check with the driveshaft builder on how to measure if you aren't sure.

 

Paul2748: You misread my post...or I was not clear. If you are going to cut it yourself, your way is absolutely right.

But if you are not, give the driveshaft specialty shop the maximum possible physical length and let him calculate how much to shorten the shaft to allow optimum "slide room".

Tomato, tomahto...as long as you communicate, either way will work.

The potential problem comes when you subtract an inch, then he subtracts an inch...

Sorry for the confusion.