Is GM#386451 U-Joint the correct part number for driveshaft on 1971 Corvette?

[Tom S.]

I'm trying to figure out the correct GM part number for the front and rear u-joints on the driveshaft of a 1971 LT1, m21 4-speed. GM group # is 5.548 and that's when it confuses me. It shows #386451 as for the 1970 but not the 71. Any thoughts? Also, would the half shaft u-joints be the same? Thanks for any input. Tom

[John M.]

Re: Is GM#386451 U-Joint the correct part number for driveshaft on 1971 Corvette?

Tom....My best guess would be driveshaft u-joint 3889690. Part #386451 is from around 1975.Half shafts are 3889696. Joe Lucia has posted great info on u-joints which can be found s in the archives.

[Joe L.]

Re: Is GM#386451 U-Joint the correct part number for driveshaft on 1971 Corvette?

I'm trying to figure out the correct GM part number for the front and rear u-joints on the driveshaft of a 1971 LT1, m21 4-speed. GM group # is 5.548 and that's when it confuses me. It shows #386451 as for the 1970 but not the 71. Any thoughts? Also, would the half shaft u-joints be the same? Thanks for any input. Tom

Tom------


GM #386451 was once the GM part number for the DRIVESHAFT u-joints for 1957-70 Corvettes which used 1310 series u-joints. It will not work for a 1971 which used 1330 series driveshaft u-joints.

Half-shaft u-joints for 1963-1979 Corvettes are different than either of the above.

[Tom S.]

Re: Is GM#386451 U-Joint the correct part number for driveshaft on 1971 Corvette?

Joe, what would be the correct GM part number for the 1971 Corvette driveshaft u-joint? and the correct GM number for the 1971 Corvette half-shaft u-joints? I would like to stay with original GM parts if possible, but if they are not available, what would you recommend and possibly where I would be able to find them? Tom

[Joe L.]

Re: Is GM#386451 U-Joint the correct part number for driveshaft on 1971 Corvette?

Joe, what would be the correct GM part number for the 1971 Corvette driveshaft u-joint? and the correct GM number for the 1971 Corvette half-shaft u-joints? I would like to stay with original GM parts if possible, but if they are not available, what would you recommend and possibly where I would be able to find them? Tom

Tom------

The original driveshaft u-joints for a 1971 Corvette were GM #390133. These were superseded by GM #12545626 which remains available from GM.

The original half shaft u-joints were GM #3889696. These were superseded by GM #26049843, GM #12471503, and GM #89059111, the latter of which remains available from GM.

The best half shaft u-joints are Dana-Spicer 51350XP. These are forged powder-metal and lubed-for-life (no zerk fittings).

[Tom S.]

Re: Is GM#386451 U-Joint the correct part number for driveshaft on 1971 Corvette?

Thank you Joe L. and John M. for your help and insight. I now have enough info to locate the correct u-joints for both drive shaft and the half shafts on my "71. Tom