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Driveshaft length & compatibility

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?

Driveshaft length & compatibility

Reply #1
Why not find a CrownVic PI and have it shortend
87 TC
HO Swap, T5 Swap, Mach Springs, CHE Upper and Lower control arms, Mach Chin spoiler, soon to be Procharged.

:evilgrin: Nitrous is like a hot chick with an STD you want to hit it but are scared of the consequences. :evilgrin:

Driveshaft length & compatibility

Reply #2
How does a drive shaft get lost?
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Driveshaft length & compatibility

Reply #3
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.

 

Driveshaft length & compatibility

Reply #4
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!!
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

Driveshaft length & compatibility

Reply #5
here's my crazy drawing.... lol
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
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Driveshaft length & compatibility

Reply #6
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.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Driveshaft length & compatibility

Reply #7
Jerry, you do beautiful work.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Driveshaft length & compatibility

Reply #8
Kitz asked me a few years ago, so I sent this to him
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
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Driveshaft length & compatibility

Reply #9
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
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
Join us on Facebook

Driveshaft length & compatibility

Reply #10
Quote from: vinnietbird;402105
Jerry, you do beautiful work.

lol...looks like I might have had a couple beers when I did this
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
Join us on Facebook

Driveshaft length & compatibility

Reply #11
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.

Driveshaft length & compatibility

Reply #12
Mine at my shop on the floor, I'll get some measurements. I'm heading there now.
Old Grey Cat to this.88 Cat, 5.0 HO, CW mounts, mass air, CI custom cam, afr165's, Tmoss worked cobra intake, BBK shorty's,off road h pipe, magnaflow ex. T-5,spec stage 2 clutch, 8.8 373 TC trac loc, che ajustables with bullits on the rear. 11" brakes up front. +

Driveshaft length & compatibility

Reply #13
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.
Donnie
10 Second NA TBird
Fredericksburg Va

Driveshaft length & compatibility

Reply #14
Quote from: 87 T-BIRD;402273
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
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
Join us on Facebook