blueskies Posted February 11, 2008 Report Posted February 11, 2008 One of my projects to complete before the next road trip is to get a new driveline made for my '50 Plymouth. I traded e-mail with a fellow some time ago about the conversion to regular u-joints, and the parts necessary. He sent me this link, from the Early Barricuda Club, with a few Spicer part numbers. Wondering if anyone here has done this conversion, and can confirm the part number for the flange that converts the face mount on the transmission to the new type u-joint. I found this page on the net with all the dimensions, the part number given on the Cuda site is highlighted. If the image does not show, hit reload on your browser and it should pop up. I don't have my existing driveline out to measure the flange and bolt circle, and I'm hoping to get the new driveline made before I take the old one out... wondering if anyone might have a driveline out and can measure the diameter of the flange and bolt circle as indicated in the diagram above before I place my order. The nearest driveline fabricator, Six States Distributors, is about 70 miles from here. They quoted me $275-$300 for an all new driveline with the spicer flanges and a slip yoke, plus shipping to my door. The new driveline will look something like this: Looking forward to no more vibes... Pete Quote
Captain Neon Posted February 11, 2008 Report Posted February 11, 2008 Looking forward to no more vibes... But some would say that they are "good vibes." Quote
Normspeed Posted February 11, 2008 Report Posted February 11, 2008 Hi Pete, I believe I have a 50 driveshaft that I can get the flange measurement from. The price you're being quoted sounds about right from what I've heard. I'm with you, I get some vibes over 70 mph that I'd like to lose, and from what I hear, a fresh driveshaft can also cut down on clutch chatter and other symptoms. Quote
Young Ed Posted February 11, 2008 Report Posted February 11, 2008 I've got a 48 driveshaft I can measure too. Is that flange with the 4 bolt holes easily available? Quote
blueskies Posted February 11, 2008 Author Report Posted February 11, 2008 Hi Pete, I believe I have a 50 driveshaft that I can get the flange measurement from. The price you're being quoted sounds about right from what I've heard. I'm with you, I get some vibes over 70 mph that I'd like to lose, and from what I hear, a fresh driveshaft can also cut down on clutch chatter and other symptoms. I hadn't thought about the chattering, but my clutch has an annoying chatter that I'd love to get rid of too... I've got a 48 driveshaft I can measure too. Is that flange with the 4 bolt holes easily available? The place I called didn't seem to think getting the flanges would be an issue... But I don't know if the part number is correct yet... Pete Quote
martybose Posted February 11, 2008 Report Posted February 11, 2008 I hadn't thought about the chattering, but my clutch has an annoying chatter that I'd love to get rid of too...Pete I've got one of the factory U-joint conversion driveshafts in my 47, and I still get some clutch chatter in reverse, so I don't think that is the cure ..... Marty Quote
david lazarus Posted February 11, 2008 Report Posted February 11, 2008 Hi Blueskies Highly recommend you do it, I changed mine last year...the difference is like night and day. Cost me about $500 NZD ($410 USD). Will try and add a pic. Dave Quote
Dwight Pectol Posted February 12, 2008 Report Posted February 12, 2008 Pete, six states did my drive line about 2 years ago and it was the best $300.00 I've spent on my car. The vibes are all gone:) DW Quote
jd52cranbrook Posted February 12, 2008 Report Posted February 12, 2008 Thats a good price for one Pete. And yes, no vibes, and any clutch chatter you may have had will diminish also. I took my original (out of the car) to South Bay Driveline here in CA and only had to measure distance from tranny to rear end for them. I don't get any vibration now until it starts rolling past 122 mph Quote
Paul Beard Posted February 12, 2008 Report Posted February 12, 2008 What you are converting to looks very similar to the drive shaft on my "53" pickup truck 1/2 Ton. Modern u-joints and flange that bolts to back end of trans and slip joint in front end of driveshaft. Quote
steveplym Posted February 12, 2008 Report Posted February 12, 2008 Anyone know of any places here in the midwest that can do this? I'd really like to change my car over to U-joints someday. Need to do a few other things first though, but it's on the list. Quote
James_Douglas Posted February 14, 2008 Report Posted February 14, 2008 Pete, Just got back to SF from LA. Long story on how the Desoto made the drive. Will post that in a day or two. I am too tired to read the whole thread... My desoto uses a standard style U-joint. My 3-speed has a flange that allows it to bolt right up. Just find a Chrysler or desoto flange and drive shaft. The only thing it will probably need is a differnt rear joint if the plymouth 3rd member flange is smaller than the Chrsyler-Desoto. I can check over the next few days and see if I can find the part number for the flange. Best, James Quote
blueskies Posted March 19, 2008 Author Report Posted March 19, 2008 Update- Just crawled under my car to measure the flange and bolt pattern on my driveline before ordering from Six States. I'm glad I took the time, as the part number I was given did not match the flange on my car. The correct number is highlighted in RED in this list: The part number that matches the driveline, transmission and rear end on my '50 Plymouth is: 2-2-349. I'm going to call six states today and find out if the flange is readily available. Hopefully so, and I will get the new driveline in about a week or so. Pete Quote
Guest rockabillybassman Posted March 19, 2008 Report Posted March 19, 2008 Pete..... my wife has an annoying chatter too, also strange vibes above certain speeds. Do think a new driveline will sort that out? Quote
Jim Saraceno Posted March 20, 2008 Report Posted March 20, 2008 Anyone know of any places here in the midwest that can do this? I'd really like to change my car over to U-joints someday. Need to do a few other things first though, but it's on the list. Steve, I just had a place here in St. Louis build me a new drive shaft for about $250. The name of the place is Certified Power. If you like I can probably find the phone number. You better email me direct as I don't always have a chance to get on the forum. JimCno@charter.net Quote
blueskies Posted March 20, 2008 Author Report Posted March 20, 2008 Pete..... my wife has an annoying chatter too, also strange vibes above certain speeds. Do think a new driveline will sort that out? I've experienced the same problem... mostly when my wife finds out that I've just spent another wad of change on the Plymouth... Don't tell her that I just ordered a new driveline, and sent my five wheels off for powder coating... Pete Quote
Allan Faust Posted March 20, 2008 Report Posted March 20, 2008 I had a wicked vibration on my driveline as well, however it was on my S10.... seems my rear U-Joint was finished.... a half hour and $20 fixed that up real quick.... nice and smooth now... can't wait to try working on my Dodge driveline... Allan Quote
Heavy Flat Head Posted March 21, 2008 Report Posted March 21, 2008 Blueskies, I have come to the conclusion in recent years that approaching 60 has its rewards. The chatter I keep on hearing (wife) is turning to a low hum. Of course it helps that she supports my craziness, she likes me better when I am not moody. There does seem to be a breaking point, last weekend we were in Eastern Oregon when I spotted a sweptline tow truck in a field. I told her that would really be cool to have incase I need to tow the Plymouth or Dodge around. Man the ensuing chatter was kind of loud. Ed. Quote
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