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So I am playing around with the length of the driveshaft, I moved the engine forward to get it out of the firewall where the PO put it, and now I am wondering...... how far is the slip joint supposed to be pushed into the tranny to get the correct length??? I seem to remember that you gently push in the slip joint until it bottoms then pull it back out to a max of 1.5 inches... does that sound right? Thanks.
just had a new shaft made for my '55, and had the same question. measure the full distance between the transmission output shaft seal and the flat spot of the yoke of the rear end where the u-joint fits in take this measurment to driveshaft shop and the will subtract for the slip joint should be about 3/4" - 1" max. also make sure that when you measure that the full weight of the truck is sitting on the tires and not with the rear end hanging. try this website
Thanks guys. I am actually contemplating reusing the "old" driveshaft... and replacing the FMX with a C6 which is longer... I plan on setting the engine/tranny forward enough to clear the firewall ...... so I guess I will set them in such a spot as to leave 3/4" to 1" play in the slip joint.
Sparky,
I see you move the motor forward to get it off the firewall. I looked in your gallerie and see you have a 302 in a 53. I am planning to use a 302 in a 56 and have not instaled the motor mounts yet. To keep the motor off the firewall can you gave me a measurement?
Sparky,
I see you move the motor forward to get it off the firewall. I looked in your gallerie and see you have a 302 in a 53. I am planning to use a 302 in a 56 and have not instaled the motor mounts yet. To keep the motor off the firewall can you gave me a measurement?
I can give you a rough measurement, the firewall was butchered by the previous owner with a torch and a saw, there is a hole about 24" x 27" cutout of the centre of the firewall and the piece never came with the truck...... measuring from the flat portion of the floor pan to the centre of the engine mount is 22.5" it looks like you may get away with 22" but since I am running an electric fan setup I do not have to worry about fan to rad clearance....
Sparky,
I see you move the motor forward to get it off the firewall. I looked in your gallerie and see you have a 302 in a 53. I am planning to use a 302 in a 56 and have not instaled the motor mounts yet. To keep the motor off the firewall can you gave me a measurement?
I did the same swap and could give you some measurements for the mounts if you used the volare.
3/4" and 1" are the max at least on my shaft was. I had left about 1 3/4" out of my tailshaft with my front yoke (did not know any better and impatient) and wore out the tailshaft bushing and lost alot of tranny fluid @ Exit 6 on I-65 in KY. A used tailshaft got me home but had to have the driveshaft fixed.