Hi guys, I have a problem. Boys from the shop, where I have my birds, lost the driveshaft from my red bird, so we're looking for a replacement.
We've found this:
- Driveshaft for the C3 transmission is the same length, as for the AOD.
- I wasn't able to measure the length of the driveshaft on my silver bird with manual, because of the catalytic converter.
- SN95 Mustang has shorter driveshaft and the output shaft on the tranny has bigger diameter.
- Distance between rear axle and the transmission on my car is 142 cm (55,9").
- Transmission output shaft diameter is 27,2 mm (1,07").
There is one MN12 Cougar on a salvage yard 250 miles away (but the owner is my good friend), so what about this? Can it be used? Or what car should I be looking for?
Why not find a CrownVic PI and have it shortend
How does a drive shaft get lost?
I don't know, but they lost it. They mistakenly traded it with transmission parts for firefighter's Suburban (which is unfortunatelly sped already :()
Is there any better idea than shortening Crown Vic's DS? It's incredibly expensive here.
48" for a 5 speeder. I never owned an auto so you are on your own. Or have a new one made. They are not that expensive!!
here's my crazy drawing.... lol
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/daminc/Stuff%20I%20dont%20know%20where%20to%20put/img040.jpg)
I used the same drive shaft from the AOD to the 5 speed.
I have a spare driveshaft in the garage (using an aluminum one now), but would imagine the cost of shipping would be crazy high.
Thunderbird or Cougar would be your only options unless you find another one to shorten, like a Crown Vic.. And even then, you'd still need the correct yoke and for it.
If the shop lost it, let them figure it out and make it right. It shouldn't be your responsibility. They gave it away.
Jerry, you do beautiful work.
Kitz asked me a few years ago, so I sent this to him
I'm pretty sure the DS size itself is measured end to end not on center with the U-joint...Its close enough...some people have mentioned that theirs was an inch longer then mine.. from a 5.0... don't know if it matters
lol...looks like I might have had a couple beers when I did this
Thanks guys, We will try to use the DS from my silver bird with manual transmission. I need the red one running, the silver one can stay there the whole winter.
Mine at my shop on the floor, I'll get some measurements. I'm heading there now.
The driveshaft I had in my Bird overall length was 57 inches, the measurement from center of ujoint to center of ujoint was 49 1/8 inches. The driveshaft is out of a 1987 5.0L AOD.
yep...the DS itself about an inch diff then the 3.8s... I remember having everyone measure theirs because mine was diff for some reason
On mine it's 50 1/2" from end to end of the shaft. Mine is also out of a 87 cat 5.0 auto,now in a 5 spd. the spline shaft is the same as ics artwork.
Drive Shafts are measured From the center line to center line of the U JOINT CAPS!!!
Here is a mustang shaft It measures 42 1/2"
(http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/proguns/002-93.jpg)
Here is a T BIRD shaft it measures 48" as i posted
(http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/proguns/001-140.jpg)
+1 What he said!
I had the O.C. measurement somewhere ...Kitz asked for the total length from shaft to the rear end... to see it everything was going to fit in between... thats where the pic came into play... I think his u-joint bracket for the rear end was a diff size also.. I'll put an O.C. measurement on it when I go into the shop next time.... :)
I guess it really boils down to how much space is between the trans and the rear....and what parts you are using to connect the DS with
Calculating shaft lengths are simple. If the ford you are working on has a yoke like a chevy this is the way it is DUN. If it has a type like a T Bird you need to mount the on the DIFF. I have been measuring shafts for more years than i would like to admit. Dummy yokes are a must and the proper necessary when applicable. Other than that a Stanley tape from Home Depot is all that is necessary. If memory serves me the balance front yoke is OBSOLETE. Not 100% as we normally use aluminum shafts. Just me could be wrong!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qii-5aKLOyo
actually I remember most people here saying they didn't have the balancer in their 5.0 setup... could be only a 3.8 thing? I dont know
My stock driveshaft had a balancer on it until I heard a loud noise and found it had come off and was just hanging around the driveshaft.
That is correct VINNIE they separate all the time as they age. The inertia ring is vulcanized to the balance ring. When they corrode they spin off and break loose. If memory serves they are obsolete. Not 100% on this as i normally dont use them with an aluminum shaft. Just saying!!
I didn't even try to fined a replacement when I had the aluminum shaft done for the Sport.
Yes that was a good thing as the aluminum shaft can be balanced to not use the inertia wheel on the YOKE.
I actually had them remove the balancer when I had them shorten and ballance mine.
True. There are a couple different length trans yokes available (to replace balancer yoke). Makes a difference when you get the shaft made up which one you have.
This is not BRAIN SURGERY. Install the appropriate YOKE bottom it out in the tranny. Pull it out an inch. Mount the rear to the rear axle you are using. If a gm type skip this. Measure from the center line of the joint caps and that is the length. Car has to be on a drive on lift. DUN not a big deal this is how it is dun. Simple as PIE!!!