Drive Shaft Length

[James S.]

Gents,

Can anyone tell me the correct length for a 1960 4 speed driveshaft?

The drive shaft that I have is 35 15/16 inches long. The car came with a 1964 M20 26 spline yolk; I have a 13 spline yolk now from Corvette Central, and I assumed the driveshaft was the correct one, but I have to make sure.

Thanks in advance.

Jim

[Mike M.]

Re: Drive Shaft Length

that's the correct length for a c-1 driveshaft. good luck,mike

[Steven B.]

Re: Drive Shaft Length

that's the correct length for a c-1 driveshaft. good luck,mike

Mike, are all 53-62 drive shafts the same length, PG, 3 and 4 speeds?

Thanks!

Steve

By the way, my wife Nancy read your post that you got your wife the microwave dish for Christmas and asked why I couldn't be considerate like you. It will take to Valentine's Day before she has something else to be disappointed about. I thought the leaf rake was a good idea because she likes yard work. Maybe new trimmer string is not a good idea for Feb. 14

[Mike M.]

Re: Drive Shaft Length

am certain the 56 to 62's are the same, regardless of 3, 4 or pg. not sure about the 53 to 55 but i'd GUESS they're also the same length. regrads,mike

[Joe L.]

Re: Drive Shaft Length

Mike, are all 53-62 drive shafts the same length, PG, 3 and 4 speeds?

Thanks!

Steve

By the way, my wife Nancy read your post that you got your wife the microwave dish for Christmas and asked why I couldn't be considerate like you. It will take to Valentine's Day before she has something else to be disappointed about. I thought the leaf rake was a good idea because she likes yard work. Maybe new trimmer string is not a good idea for Feb. 14

Steve-----


All 1953-62 driveshafts were of the same length, regardless of transmission. However, you will sometimes see the length specified as a number other than what you've measured. That's because there are different conventions used when describing driveshaft lengths. Some use an end-to-end dimension and others use a centerline of u-joint-to- centerline of u-joint dimension. Rarely, even the tube length (i.e. minus yokes) is used to describe driveshaft length.

[James S.]

Re: Drive Shaft Length

that's the correct length for a c-1 driveshaft. good luck,mike

Thanks Mike! Happy New Year!

Jim

[Steven B.]

Re: Drive Shaft Length

Steve-----


All 1953-62 driveshafts were of the same length, regardless of transmission. However, you will sometimes see the length specified as a number other than what you've measured. That's because there are different conventions used when describing driveshaft lengths. Some use an end-to-end dimension and others use a centerline of u-joint-to- centerline of u-joint dimension. Rarely, even the tube length (i.e. minus yokes) is used to describe driveshaft length.

Thanks Joe! That explains the different numbers I have seen.

Steve

[Dennis C.]

Drive Shaft Length

FWIW, The driveline/driveshaft people I've worked with over the years seem to migrate to the C/L of the two yokes as the choice of measurements. It also happens to make sense to me, too... Happy New Year, Dennis

[James S.]

Re: Drive Shaft Length

Steve-----


All 1953-62 driveshafts were of the same length, regardless of transmission. However, you will sometimes see the length specified as a number other than what you've measured. That's because there are different conventions used when describing driveshaft lengths. Some use an end-to-end dimension and others use a centerline of u-joint-to- centerline of u-joint dimension. Rarely, even the tube length (i.e. minus yokes) is used to describe driveshaft length.

Hi Joe,

I measured from the end of the U-joint fitting end to end.

Thx,

jim

[Joe L.]

Re: Drive Shaft Length

FWIW, The driveline/driveshaft people I've worked with over the years seem to migrate to the C/L of the two yokes as the choice of measurements. It also happens to make sense to me, too... Happy New Year, Dennis

Dennis-----


I agree. It's the only system that effectively describes the functional length of the driveshaft and allows for functionally reproducing one. The end yokes might be different in configuration which would change the end-to-end length. However, for some crazy reason, GM used all of the conventions I described for different driveshafts over the years.

[John H.]

Re: Drive Shaft Length

Thanks Joe! That explains the different numbers I have seen.

Steve

You'll also see different part numbers between the Assembly Manual and the P&A Parts books, because the driveshafts in the Assembly Manual were an assembly that included the front yoke and U-joints, and the driveshafts in the parts books are just the bare shaft with no U-joints or front yoke.