Twisted my driveshaft off tonight

[472 R/T SE]

I did that once long, long ago when I first started driving a truck in the oilfields.  Went down a hill and it went right back up, I tried skipping gears with the truck still rolling going up hill, BOOM. 

You got 'er done.    Ya' found the weakest link anyways.

[whitesatinmopar]

I'd suggest looking into stainless, low grade as far as finish but it is lightweight and very durable, that's what is on my 72 (440 + 6). Also remember, they run through a water pit at the strip for a good reason. With great torque and hooking properly, something will sooner or later give. tought break, but the drive shaft is a lot easier and cheaper than a clutch, etc.  Definately a "wall hanger", well for the garage anyway. 

[matt63]

I'm still trying to explain to the wife what happened.  She's a little perplexed.   

The drive shaft shop is recommending 3 or 3 1/4 tube although I'm not sure of the wall thickness yet.   I'm guessing 0.083" or 0.095".

[vinb]

Sorry to see that, with a street tire no less. If you have a Automatic , I would pull the transmission out and check it. You could have hurt the sprag......

[JayBee]

That'll be some neat "SHOW and TELL" for the grandchildren when you're in the rocker.

[tactransman]

  http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/driveshaftkits1.html

[MOPAR FANATIC]

  Man that engine combo must have some torque.  how much h/p and r/w torque do you have?  awesome..................time to upgade eh!!

[HP2]

Something else at play there than just plain torque.

I've been using stock driveshafts for years and abused them with d.o.t. stickies and slicks, 4500 rpm launches in the groove at the track and behind small bocks and big blocks. I've never twisted a shaft like that. Busted u-joints, yes, but never twisted a tube.

[moper]

in the words of the older commercial.. "SWeeet..."

I suspect that was a metal fatigue deal. Probably was a problem area when it was made, just not bad enough to fail yet. Where over time it got weakened further, and finally broke.  That, mounted ona  nice wood plaque, would be a cool addition to a wall of fame... .

[SilverChally]

Appears traction is no issue!

[74 340 4speed]

When I saw those pics, I was looking for a 4 speed in your signature.  The clutch dump of death, lol.    You sure did a number on that drive shaft.

[matt63]

Man that engine combo must have some torque.  how much h/p and r/w torque do you have?  awesome..................time to upgade eh!!

The 408 is supposed to have 460 bhp according to Hughes Engines estimates. Torque plus traction plus marginal driveshaft size = scrap iron

[vinb]

Like HP2 said a factory stock driveshaft should be good, I never broke or twisted a driveshaft in my Stock Eliminator cars. We used  9" slicks , 5.13 gears Cal-trac's, approx 450hp. average 3550lb. cars in some of the best traction ever,  race after race, season after season.

[tactransman]

I guess 2.5" inch 0.065" tubing isn't enough.  I now see that the stock drive shafts were 3 1/4"!

I think this was his problem.

[moparmaniac59]

New drive shaft... $250.00 bucks.
High pitch engine revving followed by brown stains in pants....priceless!!!

                                                        Matt B.