69 Camaro - Big Block/T-400 Driveshaft too short ?

[CamarosRus]

1Another thread quotes 69 Camaro driveshaft length as being 49.56.Is this measurement for a Muncie,Turbo 350 & Powerglide...........OR Turbo-400 which I'm told is longer (???) My problem driveshaft is with Big Block/Turbo 400/12 Bolt

2) Drew, above talks about cutting down a shaft by 3/4" because he changed from 10 Bolt to what ????????????????

3)On my 69 Camaro COPO "clone" I removed a 10 Bolt and installed a 12 Bolt. We dont know the origin of the driveshaft, but it now appears to be 1" or more short........
My car is running Big Block and Turbo 400. Can ANYBODY respond as to how long an original 69 Big Block Turbo 400 driveshaft should be.

4) This currently installed 12 Bolt has a yoke that uses U-Bolts, which I'm told is WRONG! I've also been told that the correct yoke using bolts and straps would be the same length???? Any comments on this???

5) Short of me buying NEW driveshaft does anybody have CORRECT Turbo 400 Big Block 69 Camaro shaft for sale????

Need ASAP for Hot Rod Power Tour................

Thanks, Chuck Sharin
425-277-8833
[email protected]


May I further add, that this current unknown origin driveshaft is installed and operating vechicle. It is just that my "mechanic" reports seeing previous seal wear mark indicating this 1"+ shortage at transmission slip yoke................

Chuck

[Chevy454]

Any luck, Chuck?

I stopped by the shop between trips at work today...I was in a suit, on a creeper, trying to work around the exhaust, the x-pipe, and the driveshaft loop...I couldn't get a confident measurement by myself, so I'll try again later if you're still needing the info...

[Charley Lillard]

I will go measure the ones in my Z and Yenko..

[Charley Lillard]

I looked at 3 cars..2 big block 4 speeds and a smallblock 4 speed. All were about 49 1/2. That measurement is fron center of u-joints. I think there might be a 1/4-1/12" between big and small blocks ?

[Chevy454]

Ours is 50", give or take...

[CamarosRus]

Thanks to all of you for measuring your driveshafts.......
I looked in RICK's Camaro Parts catalog. They show one driveshaft for all but T-400.......and another for T-400.
So I called RICKS and found out the Muncie,T-350 & Powerglide shaft is 49 1/2" and the T-400 shaft is 48 1/2".
I still need to have my friend who is keeping car for me, confirm Center-Center(U-Joint)measurement of my existing driveshaft....I regret now not getting this fact known, before I asked ya'all for your comparisons.....
Guess I'll post again after I hear what I'm dealing with for length.......as I've been told that my D.S. is short and I cant imagine WHY????
Chuck

[dkatap]

Chuck, your driveshaft measures 48 1/2" ctr to ctr of u joints. The 400 turbo driveshaft on my 71 Z measures the same. The machined surface which inserts into tranny, is exposed 1 1/2" on my car. Yours is exposed about 2 3/4". There is no side to side play in mine, when I check yours it moves about 1/8". I am answering your questions here in hopes someone may have answers for you. It may be ok the way it is, I just didn't think there should be any play in it.

Dennis

[Chevy454]

I would think side to side play would definitely be bad!

[CamarosRus]

To everyone thats trying to help me, THANKYOU!!!!!!
The 48.50 Center to Center(U-Joint)driveshaft is what I've learned to be correct for 69 Turbo 400 applications. I had no idea 2nd Gen Camaro used same.......
The only component changed in my cars drivetrain during its "renovation" was installing the attached pictured 12 Bolt.
It having U-BOLT pinion flange I'm told is wrong....This morning I received a Email, saying MANY different yokes were/are available. If we can narrow the yoke down to causing the "short" problem, who or where can I find out about a LONGER "correct" yoke??????????
Thanks so much, Chuck

[CamarosRus]

I'm getting nowhere fast with this saga........a very experienced 12 Bolt mechanic has advised me not to change the current (U-Bolt style) pinion yoke, as I could easily screw up the pinion bearings........and the strap & bolt style yoke is same/close to current length.....
For some unexplainable reason my 48.50 inch T-400 shaft is too short in this particular Camaro.....and I will probably have to build new shaft....or just thought, maybe someone has 1" longer Muncie/T-350 shaft to sell........

Chuck