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Re: Shortening a driveshaft yourself [Re: JohnRR] #1111428 11/12/11 10:37 AM 11/12/11 10:37 AM
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 15,487 Florida S scratchnfotraction I Live Here
scratchnfotraction I Live Here S Joined: May 2003 Posts: 15,487 Florida	Quote: Quote: Has anyone tried this driveshaft kit? I've been thinking of doing that for my small to big block conversion. Driveshaft kit from Mancini's That was never balanced to begin with so I doubt it would even be close ... But it seems the overwhelming response is to just weld it up an go ... I guess we can put driveline shops right up there with automotive machine shops , balancing is just another money grab ... not me..I have had it come out at 105 mph on I-75,it was out of balance/out of phase/home cut/weld..machine shop said it looked to have bent in the middle and then broke a u-joint/yoke weld. speculating here,but seems thats what happend,vib from the git go and got worse at speed,let off and BANG!! not to mention 2 mufflers,3 feet of exhast pipe,1 rear shock and one hell of a bang. I will just keep my local shop in bizness,cuttin and balanceing my junk. cant see puting 3-4-5 K into and engine and risk the balance on it myself,but then again i run used junk most of the time antways..but it does have the factory balance do you feel lucky?..good luck with it? seems a lot of guys get away with it,I did for a while,cost more in the long run though

Re: Shortening a driveshaft yourself [Re: VITC_GTX] #1111429 11/12/11 11:18 AM 11/12/11 11:18 AM
Joined: May 2011 Posts: 340 Alaska 7 73rrak enthusiast
73rrak enthusiast 7 Joined: May 2011 Posts: 340 Alaska	They just did this on that muscle car show on the " Power Block " That's on Saturday morning last week. It looked pretty simple and it looked like it worked . Buuuuuuuut I did know a guy that lost the front U-joint on his Chevy pick up. The driveline fell out and stabbed the ground it pole vaulted the truck #ss over tea kettle and they found him between the top of the dash and the roof of the cab squashed flatter than a fart. I think I'll keep paying the $100 for a cut, balance and new U-joints. It's money well spent.

Re: Shortening a driveshaft yourself [Re: scratchnfotraction] #1111430 11/12/11 05:26 PM 11/12/11 05:26 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 26,838 Rio Linda, CA John_Kunkel Too Many Posts
John_Kunkel Too Many Posts Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 26,838 Rio Linda, CA	Quote: thats kinda getting back to "getting away with it" no? the tube end does need a nice straight cut to seat the yoke and help phase it I would think. Nope, being square has nothing to do with phasing and the yoke doesn't need to be fully seated as long as the center-to-center distance is the same on both sides...a little gap will just be filled with weld anyway. I have done numerous driveshafts at home, on some of them I bought brand new end yokes and drove them into tubing that had been squared off in my lathe and never had a problem. Later on I found that this doesn't quarantee centers are equidistant...using a vernier to check the center distance often leaves a slight gap on one side before welding. The INTERNET, the MISinformation superhighway

Re: Shortening a driveshaft yourself [Re: burdar] #1111431 11/12/11 05:37 PM 11/12/11 05:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 16,164 Central Florida larrymopar360 Stud Muffin
larrymopar360 Stud Muffin Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 16,164 Central Florida	Quote: I had a driveshaft shortened at a metal fab shop once. What you described is exactly what they did. I never had it ballanced and didn't have any problems. Obviously the proper way is to have it ballanced. I'm sure I just got lucky. Ditto for me, twice. Facts are stubborn things.

Re: Shortening a driveshaft yourself [Re: larrymopar360] #1111432 11/12/11 05:56 PM 11/12/11 05:56 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,982 North Dakota 6PakBee I Live Here
6PakBee I Live Here Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,982 North Dakota	I've never had a driveshaft shortened but having Dodge trucks with driveshaft splines I've had more than one spline replaced. Always had them balanced. One time the shop screwed up the phasing and I got a fairly bad vibration from it. Took it back to the shop, they cut it open again, rewelded it, and life was good. No balance the second time through. My conclusion? Phasing is more important than balance. "We live in a time when intelligent people are being silenced so that stupid people won't be offended".

Re: Shortening a driveshaft yourself [Re: 6PakBee] #1111433 11/12/11 10:13 PM 11/12/11 10:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,384 Park Forest, IL slantzilla Too Many Posts
slantzilla Too Many Posts Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,384 Park Forest, IL	For the record, the shaft in my Valiant was cut and rebalanced by a driveline shop. However, I've seen a ton of Mopars (mostly 4 speeds) toss the factory driveshaft through the floor in the traps. That's right, all original Ma Mopar driveshafts will break too. The balance job on many of them was nothing to write home about when they were new. Would I cut my own now? Sure. But, I also have access to a lathe and mig welder now. "Everybody funny, now you funny too."

Re: Shortening a driveshaft yourself [Re: John_Kunkel] #1111434 11/12/11 10:40 PM 11/12/11 10:40 PM
Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 3,502 SOUTH JERSEY HEMIFRED master
HEMIFRED master Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 3,502 SOUTH JERSEY	Quote: The reality is that most driveshaft tubing isn't all that round so dial indicating is useless and the method of separating the tubing end is irrelevant as long as the end is reinstalled in phase and equidistant with the other. Ok in 1968 I built an altered wheelbase 62 plymouth. I cut the driveshasft with a pipe cutter removed 15". To assemble it and have it be perfectly straight I decided to find something to fit inside or outside to use as a jig. I found that an old school grease can which was made of a cardboard body with metal top and bottom was nearly a press fit. I had scratched a line to phase the joints before cutting so with my third time ever turning on a machine the welding began. It worked perfect and I still laugh at not knowing it could not work. home of the Sox and Martin Hemi Duster

Re: Shortening a driveshaft yourself [Re: Finoke] #1111435 11/12/11 10:51 PM 11/12/11 10:51 PM
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 13,247 Mt. Vernon, Ohio dartman366 I Live Here
dartman366 I Live Here Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 13,247 Mt. Vernon, Ohio	Quote: Has anyone tried this driveshaft kit? I've been thinking of doing that for my small to big block conversion. Driveshaft kit from Mancini's That's the very same kit that has been in my race car since 1993 and has held up well,,,and yes it was balanced after it was cut to length and welded. Light travels faster than the speed of sound,,,this is why some people seem bright untill you hear them speak.

Re: Shortening a driveshaft yourself [Re: dartman366] #1111436 11/12/11 10:55 PM 11/12/11 10:55 PM
A Anonymous Unregistered
Anonymous Unregistered A	I have a local shop that shortens, balances, and puts in new spicer joints for under $140.00. Turnaround is usually one working day. I'm big on doing things myself but sometimes you just gotta hire the experts with the proper equipment.

Re: Shortening a driveshaft yourself [Re: slantzilla] #1111437 11/12/11 10:56 PM 11/12/11 10:56 PM
Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 14,889 up yours Supercuda About to go away
Supercuda About to go away Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 14,889 up yours	I was watching the speed channel last weekend and I think it was Trucks! they had on where they cut a driveshaft with a sawzall and wire welded the yoke. Scary how they glossed over checking phasing or anything else. They say there are no such thing as a stupid question. They say there is always the exception that proves the rule. Don't be the exception.

Re: Shortening a driveshaft yourself [Re: 73rrak] #1111438 11/12/11 11:02 PM 11/12/11 11:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 13,247 Mt. Vernon, Ohio dartman366 I Live Here
dartman366 I Live Here Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 13,247 Mt. Vernon, Ohio	Quote: squashed flatter than a fart. I would love to know,, but do I dare ask? Light travels faster than the speed of sound,,,this is why some people seem bright untill you hear them speak.

Re: Shortening a driveshaft yourself [Re: dartman366] #1111439 11/14/11 11:42 PM 11/14/11 11:42 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 4,108 Horsham, Pa. Finoke master
Finoke master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 4,108 Horsham, Pa.	Quote: Quote: Has anyone tried this driveshaft kit? I've been thinking of doing that for my small to big block conversion. Driveshaft kit from Mancini's That's the very same kit that has been in my race car since 1993 and has held up well,,,and yes it was balanced after it was cut to length and welded. that is good to hear. Thanks

Re: Shortening a driveshaft yourself [Re: Finoke] #1111440 11/16/11 12:51 AM 11/16/11 12:51 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,089 Sorrento, BC, Canada 4speeds4me master
4speeds4me master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,089 Sorrento, BC, Canada	I've done quite a few myself with never an issue. That said, if I had a vibration or something didn't feel or look right, I wouldn't hesitate to have it gone over. If it's phased correctly and you've verified that the yoke is square in there, there is no reason you can weld it as well as a shop (assuming you have reasonable skill in that department). Therefore the only thing you aren't equipped to do is balance, and if it's that far out, you'll take care of that anyways. My ... 2 Demons...no, not my kids!

Re: Shortening a driveshaft yourself [Re: Supercuda] #1111441 11/16/11 10:03 AM 11/16/11 10:03 AM
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 3,886 Lost and Spaced B bboogieart master
bboogieart master B Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 3,886 Lost and Spaced	Quote: I was watching the speed channel last weekend and I think it was Trucks! they had on where they cut a driveshaft with a sawzall and wire welded the yoke. Scary how they glossed over checking phasing or anything else. This is because these shows are hour long comercials and not intended to actually show you how things should be done right. Seems to me they spend more time telling how good the parts they used were. As for drive shafts. I had one built by an implement shop. Asked the guy to ballance it. His response was it won't need it, as the new tube did not have a seem. Don't know about a seam in the stock shafts ( never saw one) but this one started to vibrate and got worse. I went to the junk yard and got the right one for my swap. (904 to 727) I don't listen to shop help any more and I find out what I need to know befor having anybody touch my stuff. I once had a mechanic tell me he wouldn't swap my gears in an old truck rear . I had another one I wanted to use for better mileage. His response was he could not do it cause one was posi and one was sure grip. I told him to go f&#% himself. I have mechanical Aptitude. I can screw up anything.

Re: Shortening a driveshaft yourself [Re: bboogieart] #1111442 11/16/11 01:20 PM 11/16/11 01:20 PM
Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 18,166 Mass DAYCLONA I Live Here
DAYCLONA I Live Here Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 18,166 Mass	Unless you possess the skill and equipment to assemble/weld and balance a shaft, send it out , whats $100-$400 to have a shaft made/shorten/etc.... keep in mind "most" driveshaft shops are set up for the average Joe's daily driver, meaning their equipment for balancing is usually limited to 3500 RPM shaft speeds,...a performance oriented shop usually has equipment that takes a shaft up to 10,000 RPM, something to consider on a high RPM running car, or one equipped with an OD in the .64 to .50 range, prop speeds can get up there in the RPM range

Re: Shortening a driveshaft yourself [Re: DAYCLONA] #1111443 11/16/11 04:06 PM 11/16/11 04:06 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,923 Athens, Greece Pyper70 master
Pyper70 master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,923 Athens, Greece	Didn't read the whole thing, maybe someone else said it...but for $100 bucks done correct by someone who does them all day along is money well spent. Imagine doing it yourself and then getting a stress fracture which circles around the whole driveshaft. If its the front yoke...how would you feel about catapulting your car on a public road, injuring yourself, other driver, or your car? Family owned 1969 Charger R/T DualQuad 440/727/GVO/3.55s

Re: Shortening a driveshaft yourself [Re: Pyper70] #1111444 11/16/11 04:33 PM 11/16/11 04:33 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 75,324 A gulag near you. JohnRR I Win
JohnRR I Win Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 75,324 A gulag near you.	Quote: how would you feel about catapulting your car on a public road, injuring yourself, other driver, or your car? That's what insurance is for ...

Re: Shortening a driveshaft yourself [Re: Pyper70] #1111445 11/16/11 07:09 PM 11/16/11 07:09 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 26,838 Rio Linda, CA John_Kunkel Too Many Posts
John_Kunkel Too Many Posts Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 26,838 Rio Linda, CA	Quote: Imagine doing it yourself and then getting a stress fracture which circles around the whole driveshaft. Imagine changing your own oil and leaving the drain plug loose. Like the Clint said in the movie, "a man's gotta know his limitations". The INTERNET, the MISinformation superhighway

Re: Shortening a driveshaft yourself [Re: John_Kunkel] #1111446 11/16/11 07:19 PM 11/16/11 07:19 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,923 Athens, Greece Pyper70 master
Pyper70 master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,923 Athens, Greece	Quote: Quote: Imagine doing it yourself and then getting a stress fracture which circles around the whole driveshaft. Imagine changing your own oil and leaving the drain plug loose. Like the Clint said in the movie, "a man's gotta know his limitations". You are comparing something that you do once maybe twice during the life of a car and something you should be doing monthly. If you can't tighten an oil pan bolt I hope you can see the stream of oil running down your driveway before you drive 2000 miles and have a booboo Family owned 1969 Charger R/T DualQuad 440/727/GVO/3.55s

Re: Shortening a driveshaft yourself [Re: JohnRR] #1111447 11/16/11 07:21 PM 11/16/11 07:21 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,923 Athens, Greece Pyper70 master
Pyper70 master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,923 Athens, Greece	Quote: Quote: how would you feel about catapulting your car on a public road, injuring yourself, other driver, or your car? That's what insurance is for ... The point is to not require insurance for something that could be accomplished for $100. The deductible you are going to pay for the insurance is probably 5x the price of sending the driveshaft out and a whole lot less of a headache later on Family owned 1969 Charger R/T DualQuad 440/727/GVO/3.55s

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