430 driveshaft length

[bpetska]

Hi Guys,
For those of you that have the 430 engine, would someone please measure the length of the drive shaft? I believe that I have the wrong one.
Thanks,
Bill

[jopizz]

According to the Ford parts book it should be 52" using measurement C on the diagram.

John

[sidewalkman]

John, that almost took an hour for you to respond, with a diagram and complete description.

Were you asleep?? Wow, just wow.

[jopizz]

I have to fit dinner in sometime.

John

[simplyconnected]

John is the Man! I've often said on this forum, I would bring my car to John Pizzi before letting anyone else touch it. He is experienced and a great mechanic. You can tell buy the sheer numbers of people he has helped over the years on Squarebirds.org. BTW, John bleeds Ford Blue and I have the utmost respect for his advice and opinions. - Dave

[bpetska]

430 driveshaft length

Thanks John,
Mine is 52". How about the yoke that slips into the trans shaft. Is it the same as 352? Seems like mine is not going in to the trans far enough. I will look at it again tomorrow.
Thanks,
Bill

[jopizz]

If I'm reading the chart correctly it should be 8 7/32" using measurement A on the chart. The 352 is the same.

John

[OX1]

Mine must be shortened with some hodgepodge of parts (really long yoke??) the guy I bought it from had laying around. Just measured it and it's 49, u-joint to u-joint.

[bpetska]

430 driveshaft length

Hi Guys,
I double checked and the yoke is bottoming out against the trans shaft and the driveshaft is still too long. The yoke measures centerline to end 7 5/16. The depth that the trans shaft goes in measures 6 7/16 which leaves 7/8 to center line. From center line on the differential to the end of trans shaft measures 50 7/8. If you subtract the 7/8 on the yoke I get 50 inches centerline to centerline for the length of the driveshaft. This does not take into account clearance needed for movement of the yoke on trans shaft. Hopefully this makes sense. I think that 49" that 0x1 posted is probably closer to the right length. Hopefully some one else can measure theirs.
Thanks,
Bill

[jopizz]

I'm pretty sure OX1 has a 352 and not a 430 so I'm not sure why his would measure 49 inches. Here's a thread from 2007 that seems to indicate that the drive shaft is indeed shorter on a 430 but neither Carl Heller nor I can find any info anywhere which gives a specific length. William Wonders' book "The Thunderbird Restoration Guide" which has been seen as the bible for restoring Thunderbirds also lists the drive shaft as 52". Obviously from your experience it needs to be shorter.

http://squarebirds.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2245

John

[jopizz]

I see that OX1 did just recently get a '59 430 so the 49" may be the correct length.

John

[bpetska]

430 driveshaft length

Hi Guys,
I took the yoke off the driveshaft and put it on the trans shaft bottomed out and backed it out 1"and measured centerline of differental to centerline of yoke. Got 49". I would think 1" clearance between the trans shaft and the bottom of the yoke should be enough. What do you think?
Thanks,
Bill

[OX1]

Mine is a 430 (has fuel pump up top, although previous owner put electric pump in)



and is an original J code.

Here is a pic of my yoke in trans. It almost appears to me that at one time, it was about an inch farther in. Or more likely the original owner just masked the yoke in that spot when he painted the rear of yoke and driveshaft, knowing he was safe to paint there since the yoke would never go in that far.



My bird is still on the lift, so I can measure how far the yoke sticks out if you want, but it sure does look like about 3"ish, so maybe the 49 (more like 48-7/8ish) is right after all.

[bpetska]

430 driveshaft length

0X1,
If you would measure how far the yoke sticks our that would be great.
Thanks,
Bill

[OX1]