Driveshaft length

[JeffC]

Can anyone tell me if a 'Cuda driveshaft is interchangeable with a Challenger?  And/or what the length should be?

Since the Challenger's wheelbase is 2 inches longer than the "Cuda...(110" vs 108") where is the 2 inch difference?

Thanks
Jeff

[Chryco Psycho]

the difference is in the driveshaft lenght

[JeffC]

Thanks Chryco...figured you'd have the answer. Been having this vibration issue since I bought the car, you've seen my other posts on that. Sat back the other day and looked things over, and realized the slip yoke on the back of the transmission stuck out a couple inches further than what I think it should. I wonder if the previous owner may have stuck a Cuda driveshaft in the Challenger. (is that possible?) Will take a pic tomorrow of the slip yoke and post it.

Does anyone have the stock driveshaft lengths available. Searched on the net and couldnt come up with anything.

By the way, been reading the Tremec 5 Speed posts, do you know what Brewer's  are asking for an 833 E body auto-to-manual conversion? Planned on doing a Tremec conversion after we move into our new house (wife's house, 2 car garage is mine) next month, but your comments on the 833  OD seem pretty convincing.

Thanks again Chryco
Jeff

[4Cruizn]

I think the size is different if a dana 60 is installed . . . shorter I think?  

[BIG MIKE]

i looked in my part number book... and i got some werd info but i'll list what i have

challenger70-72 big joint 7290 225 318 340 383 440 with 8 3/4 rear both AT MT trans 45.60 with dia 3.25

with dana and auto trans 44.60

here is were it get werd

70-72 with AT trans 8 3/4 rear 318..... 49.95
70  with both AT MT  8 3/4 rear 340.... 45.85
71 small joint  AT 8 3/4 rear 340 383-2...45.79
72-74 sml joint AT 8 3/4 rear  225 318 340....45.79
71-73 small joint AT MT  8 3/4 rear 318........49.89
 73 74 small joint AT MT 8 3/4 rear 318 360...49.40

70 small joint AT with 7 1/4 rear 225 318....52.03


now this all this said, what i do is put a slip yoke in the trans having it out about and  1" then measure from center to center of u-joints....then have one made at a driveline shop

also   MANCINI can make the drive shafts

http://store.yahoo.com/chucker54/driveshaftkits.html

[JeffC]

4Cruzin and Big Mike,

Thanks for the input. Mike, I see what you mean, a lot of different driveshaft lengths listed there....

Car has the small joints, looks like now is a good time to upgrade to big joints.

You mentioned putting the slip joint all the way in the tranny housing and backing it out 1 inch. I'll take some photos and measurements later today, but from the way my yoke looks, it cant be in the tranny very far.

Thanks again Mike.

Jeff

[JeffC]

Drive shaft length as installed is 45.75"....pretty much on track with the specs Mike posted...or atleast one of the specs which calls for 45.79". I'm attaching a couple of photos, could you guys tell me if the slip yoke protrusion from the transmission tailshaft looks acceptable?

Thanks
Jeff

[attachment deleted by admin]

[BIG MIKE]

that's a little more than i like but i don't think it would cause the vibration...did you have them check the drive shaft to see if it's out of balance...sometimes they will lose a weight...also did you check the rear tail shaft bushing? that might cause a vibration.

[JeffC]

Mike,

Yeah, rear end professionally rebuilt, drive shaft balanced, new joints, rear tailshaft on transmission replaced including bushing and seal. No change, vibration still present.

Had a zero balance B&M torque converter installed right after I bought the car (big cam, wouldnt idle in gear). Dont think this 72 440 is an external balance engine, no balancing indicators on the vibration dampner.....dont know...gave up chasing the vibration. Opted instead to wait until we move into our new house next month and am going to rip out the engine/transmission. Converting over to a 833 OD, should have most of the parts later this week. Will strip down the engine, balance everything and see how that goes. If it still vibrates then, will have to practice my demolition training from my Navy days

Will be going through some old posts on engine build up specs for ideas, bascially will want a six pack on it later this summer, good solid power, relatively decent idle, nothing too extreme. May stroke it, dont know yet. Will wait until I see what's in there to begin with. Any suggestions?

Thanks again
Jeff

[4Cruizn]

Big Mike are those measurements the same for cudas? Or do we need to subtract 2 inches??  

[Chryco Psycho]

all thingss being equal you will need to subtract 2" if theose ar ethe Chall measurements