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Old Nov 24, 2003 | 09:45 PM
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U joints

Have a 1974 F100 P/U with 302 and FMX trans. Dont know if FMX came stock but when I replaced the worn out 302 (from my retired 1969 econoline window van) I noticed the torque converter had date stamp of 1974...therefore thought this trans must be origional??? Maybe someone replaced trans and put old torque converter back in (Voodoo in my books). Anyway happen to have a '69 C4 (dipstick in pan..two piece yoke) from the same Econoline I plan to install out of necessity (lack of $). I have discovered the C4 is three inches shorter than FMX. but I know it will mate as it was running in the 69 van with the same trans. Far as I can tell looks like I have to rebend coolant lines find some way to route dipstick and add 3 inches to the drive shaft. All is no brainer but I still need a U Joint to fit a piece of driveshaft I found at a Junk yard. Is there such a thing? Thanks for any help. When funds get better I have a '69 429 police interceptor .030 over I would like to transplant (C6 has to go with it) but for now I'm just trying to get to work and back! Just need U joint info and am pleased to be newbie to this forum.
"lightnin" Lange
When you park your Rod! Lets Brew!!!
 
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Old Nov 24, 2003 | 11:06 PM
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You can buy U-joints in almost any configuration. Take the measurements you need to any GOOD parts store or driveline shop.

Diameter of caps X distance across the ends, outside to outside, for each side of the joint.
 
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Old Nov 26, 2003 | 08:45 PM
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Thanks a million Eric! Found Driveline shop today and they knew exactly what I needed. Pressed new carrier bearing, installed u-joint and cleaned it up for less than $100. This allows me to use a newly rebuilt C4 I just happen to have "laying around"...saved me about $500. Thanks again and Happy Thanksgiving! Looks like my fun starts tomorrow!
 
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Old Nov 27, 2003 | 01:52 AM
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Glad you got the problem taken care of! Happy Thanksgiving!!!
 
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Old Nov 27, 2003 | 10:50 PM
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OK...Thanksgiving is not so happy now...got the ol FMX out and looks like the other end (carrier bearing side of two piece) does not mate up. GRRRRR!!! I measured and counted the pitch of the splines and looks like Ford Vs. Chevy have some other dimension that wont allow mating..Grrrr. Last ditch effort to save my Job looks like I have to do some cutting and welding. I know I cant weld cast iron so looks like I have to do my modifications away from them. It is a short piece so hopefully uniform work will keep me from having to balance anything?? Wouln't normally do this kinda thing but gotta keep beans on the table! Have a piece of drive shaft that would work but is an inch and a half shorter. Kinda leads my to think if I hit a good bump something could come loose and the last thing I want to lose other than my job would be my life so dont want to do that. May not be an easy solution but thanks for listening and great to have someone elses opinion! Eyes are burning and time for the Dawn bath!
See ya!
Daniel
 
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Old Nov 28, 2003 | 02:15 AM
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Go back to the drivetrain shop and have them make you a shaft out of your pieces or with new parts.
 
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Old Dec 7, 2003 | 08:18 AM
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Go to the driveline shop & see if they have any used parts to save you some cash. Where are you located?
 
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Old Dec 9, 2003 | 07:12 PM
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Thanks Eric and Andy!
I Drove the truck to work today and it ran beautifully. Turned out with further inspection that the driveshaft piece I thought wouldn't fit just needed a bit of filing down in the valleys of the splines. Someone previously had been hammering on it and mushroomed it a bit and was not immediately noticeable. Anyway it fit nicely afterwards. I installed all new U-joints, carrier bearing, new cooler lines and hoses and replaced vac modulator and vacuum lines. All new tubing and even had to fabricate a bracket because the FMX Trans was 3 inches longer than a '69 C4. Linkage matched right up and with much thought and preplanning it all went smooth as wet clay on street tires. Spice had the perfect fit U-joint and Austin Drive Train knew exactly what I needed. Now is recovery time (COLD HOMEBREW!)...I'm a hurtin' puppy!!!
Again thanks for all the help. Sounds like a beach trip for Christmas!
Daniel
1974 F100 with engine and trans from retired '69 E100.
 
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Old Dec 9, 2003 | 07:25 PM
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One more note for anyone crazy enough to try this at home. The dipstick from 69 C4 is in the pan (side entry) and FMX (top entry) requires a bit of thought. If you can solder...1/2 in copper pipe when flared and spaced properly works perfectly. Use 90 elbow on bottome, a few minor bends and reducer fitting on top to fit factory dipstick. Make sure you preserve proper fluid level and cut length accordingly. Didnt have time to shop for this one but thought might be of interest to someone???
 
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