TeamTruett

I bought HD yoke caps not realizing/forgetting that small block cars do not have threaded side yokes. Sorry if if this is a dumb question but can the yoke holes be threaded to allow this use of HD caps?

midyearvette

no to the threading.... as the caps are 3/8" bolts and the u joint u bolts are 3/8" also....i have seen the caps used with longer bolts and nuts behind them...

TeamTruett

thanks, there's an alternative

muskegonbrake

I wouldn't. Either buy some new or remanned ones, they aren't outrageous. And the caps are also available. Let me know if you have questions.

TeamTruett

Really dont want to drop the rear to switch them out but might if I have to.

JohnZ

No, they can't. The forgings are different, and the U-bolt yokes aren't machined to provide a flat mating surface for the BB caps. Photo below shows the BB yoke on the left, SB yoke on the right.

The BB cap bolts are 3/8", and the U-bolts are too.

midyearvette

i for one have always seen 3/8" u bolts at the half shafts-bwtfdik-..some guys use the caps with longer bolts and nuts ......im not saying it is the right thing to do but it is the same as buying the moroso or other brands available that you see run on many drag cars is it really stronger than the u bolt??probably not as the other yokes are machined and the threaded end adds strength.....jmo...

mechron

midyear, the u bolts are fine. i have seen center sections fail and the U bollts are intact. even in old vettes and the 60s big block cars i have seen twisted driveshafts and blown rears. but i have NEVER seen a U bolt break, go figure...

Kerrmudgeon

I agree, I've had the actual joint grenade on me to shrapnel all over the street, but the ubolts were still on the yoke.

midstyle

Here's another shot; I would say not able to be threaded, per others' comments.

TeamTruett

Thanks for the visuals Midyear and John Z, pics are worth a thousand words. Looks like Ill stick with u-bolts since it appears other things will break before they do. Anybody need caps? Brand new never installed, ha ha...