I am restoring a 70 SS 396, all original except it had no drivetrain other than the 12 bolt rear end when I got it. I have the body off the frame, the frame is all finished, sandblast, paint, all new bushings etc. I have installed a 71 monte carlo 402 engine and a 69 turbo 400 from a Chevelle SS. The transmission cross member is in the second and third hole from the rear of the row of holes in the frame, there is one open hole rear of the crossmember.
I got a drive shaft that was supposed to be from a 69 or 70 GTO. I assumed it would fit as it is an A body car. The driveshaft seems to be just a little too long to install. When it is pushed as far as it will go into the transmission there is not enough clearance to get the ujoint into the rear end yoke. The driveshaft is 56 13/16 from end to end of the ears on the fixed yokes welded to the shaft. I measured from the rear of the aluminum trans casing where the seal mounts to the face of the rear end yoke where the ujoint retainers bolt and it is 57 1/8 with the rear end yoke turned horizontal. The only other possibility I can think of is because the body is off the rear suspension is fully extended so the rear end comes a little forward as the trailing arms drop below horizontal.

Can any one help with where the problem might be before I start cutting the driveshaft

I have a 69 SS - 396 with a Torbo 400 and a 3:31 12 bolt Posi.
My crossmember is bolted in the second and third holes from the rear also.

My driveshaft measures 55 5/8" not including the front trans. yoke.
The front yoke is sticking out 4 1/2" past the rear seal on the trans.

hope this helps.


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Dean Call
A.C.E.S. # 00235
N.C.O.A. # 4350

macc.chevelles.net (http://macc.chevelles.net)

Sounds like you have a drive shaft out of a car with a TH-350. If the shaft is in good condition, have it shortened.

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Yes, it does sound like it will need to be shortened. The fact that no body is on the chasis will have no effect on length because if you had the complete car jacked up with the rear end hanging down, you would have the same situation.

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I was unable to remove the drive shaft from a 70SS that had air shocks and were pumped all the way up. Removed the air and the drive shaft came off. As the axle moves away from the frame it swings down and forward. With no body on the frame you have the same situation.

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Steve Strasemeier (70SS)

Whatever you do, don't cut the driveshaft, or try to modify it yourself. Take it to a driveline shop and have it shortened and balanced. The TH400 does take a shorter driveshaft than a TH350 or manual trans car.