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: 15,175
Likes: 3,990
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!!!
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 3,990
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?