Yoke Gaps?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 816
Likes: 1
From: Finland
Yoke Gaps?
I have 1973 Vette with U-bolt style yokes (Standard). I was thinking of
replacing the U-bolts with those (HD style) gaps that are used in the HD
yokes. Are these Gaps direct fit to U-bolts style jokes? Then I just would need to get longer (and strong) bolts + nuts from hardware store...
Anyone tried this?
replacing the U-bolts with those (HD style) gaps that are used in the HD
yokes. Are these Gaps direct fit to U-bolts style jokes? Then I just would need to get longer (and strong) bolts + nuts from hardware store...
Anyone tried this?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,135
Likes: 3,939
From: Connecticut, USA
The "HD" yokes are tapped 3/8-16 the std yokes are drilled out for the U-bolt to fit. You'll have to swap yokes. If they have less then .040" endplay don't bother until you need to.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 816
Likes: 1
From: Finland
Originally Posted by gtr1999
The "HD" yokes are tapped 3/8-16 the std yokes are drilled out for the U-bolt to fit. You'll have to swap yokes. If they have less then .040" endplay don't bother until you need to.
How do you measure a endplay, between which surfaces and how?
Are the STD yokes with U-bolt kit strong enough for 500hp BB with 4.11 rear end gears? That I a bit doubt...
Last edited by Vesa; Feb 1, 2006 at 01:16 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 816
Likes: 1
From: Finland
...about the endplay...I do have the dial gauge with magnetic base that I use for measuring the backlash between pinion and ring gear - can I use this gauge somehow to measure the endplay?
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the World
I think you mean Yoke Caps not gaps. As Gary said, the factory HD caps are tapped for the bolts. You may be able to use longer bolts with nuts but I don't think the HD caps will match the standard yokes.
EDIT:
I re read Gary's post and maybe they are the same yokes.
EDIT:
I re read Gary's post and maybe they are the same yokes.
Last edited by RHD '68 L89; Feb 1, 2006 at 06:39 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 816
Likes: 1
From: Finland
Originally Posted by RHD '68 L89
I think you mean Yoke Caps not gaps. As Gary said, the factory HD caps are tapped for the bolts. You may be able to use longer bolts with nuts but I don't think the HD caps will match the standard yokes.
EDIT:
I re read Gary's post and maybe they are the same yokes.
EDIT:
I re read Gary's post and maybe they are the same yokes.
Yes that I was thinking that maybe GM first used only Standard ones with U-bolts but when powerfull BBs came (L-88 etc...) they started to break and they started to call them HD by replacing the U-bolt with Caps and individual bolts...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 816
Likes: 1
From: Finland
Originally Posted by Van Steel
The hole spread is different from the u-bolt style to the BB style. If you tap the u-bolt style, the holes on the caps will not line up.
Thanks for the info!!!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,135
Likes: 3,939
From: Connecticut, USA
Of course,depending on your access to a machine shop, you might be able to machine caps and tap the yokes for a larger bolt. I haven't done this, as I just swap the yokes when changing from one to the other but maybe parts are harder for you to get over there?