longbedGTs
Joined:
Oct 2004
Amarillo, Texas
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I had it checked out at a local shop and he said it was out 30 thousandths...and the limit was 5 thou. He took the yokes off(front and rear) and spun it on a lathe looking machine with a dial indicator checking if it was out of round. Is that the proper way to check a driveshaft? Also, when he spun it, he used a sandpaper-like cloth to 'polish' in 4 spots. One area towards an end showed 2 high spots that are a perfect line and exactally 180 deg from eachother. He thinks it was caused by someone putting the driveshaft in a vise for ujoint replacement or something like that. So my question...Id like to get an aluminum driveshaft made, but dont know of anyone around here that can weld/balance aluminum driveshafts. Would you suggest buying a new one, or getting another TC driveshaft and hoping its good, or getting a steel driveshaft from the junkyard cut down and rewelded and such?
88 TC 5spd~money pit
88 TC 5spd~78K miles
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SHOcoupe
Joined:
Aug 2009
New Jersey
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Aren't the SVO drive shafts the same? I'm not sure on that, so don't hold me too it. You can buy an SVO aluminum drive shaft from forced4.
88 TC, FMIC, GT35-1 .70 A/R, 42lb Injectors, MS2 p&p, Custom upper manifold, junk heap Stinger header, 3 inch exhaust, Accufab FPR, Bo-Port 1.9 cam, Oversized valves, ported head, Stage 3 clutch, 22psi.
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Sir The SVO shaft is shorter. The TC shaft is exactly 48" But your shaft is out of true by .030. Thats a little over but not outrageous. Max runout according to ford should be .024-.028 over a distance of 4'. You can have a shaft made by a truck parts supplier like FLEET PRIDE. They make aluminum shafts and thats where i got mine. If your drive shaft guy that measured yours thinks its bad have him make you a new one. Or have yours checked for balance and see if it VIBRATES and is out of balance. Thank You
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russ c
Joined:
Nov 2005
Mt. Olive,NC
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Most DS specialists can now build AL shafts, if your guy can't, find one that can. Many have had Crown Vic or Aerostar shafts shortened.
Just for general info and DS should never be clamped on the tube section, DS tubing is quite thin and can easily be distorted. If you need to hold a DS in a vice it should be clamped across the yoke.
86TC Saved from certain death
88TC Gave its life so other TCs could live.
88TC DD.
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longbedGTs
Joined:
Oct 2004
Amarillo, Texas
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Quote:Originally posted by Paulie:
Or have yours checked for balance and see if it VIBRATES and is out of balance. Thank You
So are you saying its a possibility that the driveshaft might not be out of balance even though its out of round? He said he cant balance driveshafts(doesnt have the right machine( but can build it "true". Wouldnt a driveshaft builder want to toss their work on a machine to make sure?
88 TC 5spd~money pit
88 TC 5spd~78K miles
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Quote:Originally posted by russ c:
Most DS specialists can now build AL shafts, if your guy can't, find one that can. Many have had Crown Vic or Aerostar shafts shortened.
Just for general info and DS should never be clamped on the tube section, DS tubing is quite thin and can easily be distorted. If you need to hold a DS in a vice it should be clamped across the yoke.
Well said Russ and you are 100% correct. I have seen many a mechanic clamp a shaft in a vice right in the middle and crank the vice DOWN. Thats a NO NO. Thank you Sir
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russ c
Joined:
Nov 2005
Mt. Olive,NC
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Quote:Originally posted by Paulie:
Quote:Originally posted by russ c:
[b] Most DS specialists can now build AL shafts, if your guy can't, find one that can. Many have had Crown Vic or Aerostar shafts shortened.
Just for general info and DS should never be clamped on the tube section, DS tubing is quite thin and can easily be distorted. If you need to hold a DS in a vice it should be clamped across the yoke.
Well said Russ and you are 100% correct. I have seen many a mechanic clamp a shaft in a vice right in the middle and crank the vice DOWN. Thats a NO NO. Thank you Sir [/b]
Paulie, I also have seen many a mechanic clamp down on the center of a DS tube, beat out the joint crosses, reassemble, reinstall and wonder why there was a bad vibration. (I just may have done it once or twice as youngster.)
86TC Saved from certain death
88TC Gave its life so other TCs could live.
88TC DD.
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vinnietbird
Joined:
Jun 2007
Oklahoma
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I went to the salvage yard and got lucky. I got a Crown Vic cop car aluminum drive shaft for free. I sent it to Oklahoma City ($22.00 shipping) and Performance Driveline shortened it,added new u-joints,and balanced it. The charge including return shipping was under $130.00. Well worth it.
1988 Thunderbird. No details will be given or spoken of.
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bang4thebuck
Joined:
Jul 2004
pennsville NJ
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I wonder how much Horsepower one of those could handle?
1987 TC 5 speed. To date: AGP 50 trim T3/T4 .63 stage 2 turbo, Ebay bov, 28psi, 255hp pump, Kirban FPR, Ebay Front mount, Full 3 inch Exhaust, Ported Bob's Log, Megasquirt, 55lb. injectors, boport 1.5 cam, boxed lower control arms, Methanol Kit, Ram HD Clutch, front lowered 1/2 inch and E.T. Streets for the track. Best so far 12.5 at 110.8. still tuning.
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86XR7auto
Joined:
Mar 2003
Mt. Pleasant, MI. USA
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Plenty.....
I believe you will destroy the tranny or rear end before the cop car drive shaft gives out.
They are built for high speed in a big fat Crown Victoria....
Travis
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