Half Shaft Questions
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Clymer PA
Half Shaft Questions
I was told that with time, I will probably twist my half shafts in two. Is there a difference between the half shafts used in say a 1970 big block Corvette and those currently being used in my 1976 small block Corvette? If so, what are some of the differences? Would I be better off going with stronger half shafts?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Re: Half Shaft Questions (bence13_33)
I would say that you'd snap a u-joint before you'd actually "twist" a shaft. Also, '75-'82 shafts are slightly bigger than a '74 and earlier cars. I think if I'm not mistaken, the pre-'75 bigblock cars had the "endcap" style yokes rather than the u-bolt style yokes. Either way, I think the "weakest" link of Corvette rear ends is the u-joints. Most people here on the forum seem to recommend going to those "Brute Force" ones. :yesnod:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
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Re: Half Shaft Questions (bence13_33)
"I was told that with time, I will probably twist my half shafts in two."
Who told you that? One of those buddies of yours that insisted that small blocks make more power than big blocks? ;) Unless you are going to run slicks and drag race you should be all set.
"Is there a difference between the half shafts used in say a 1970 big block Corvette and those currently being used in my 1976 small block Corvette?"
Yes.
"If so, what are some of the differences?"
The ones installed in '76 are bigger in diameter, thus stronger.
"Would I be better off going with stronger half shafts?"
Not for street use or even occational dragging.
Who told you that? One of those buddies of yours that insisted that small blocks make more power than big blocks? ;) Unless you are going to run slicks and drag race you should be all set.
"Is there a difference between the half shafts used in say a 1970 big block Corvette and those currently being used in my 1976 small block Corvette?"
Yes.
"If so, what are some of the differences?"
The ones installed in '76 are bigger in diameter, thus stronger.
"Would I be better off going with stronger half shafts?"
Not for street use or even occational dragging.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,977
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From: Massachusetts , USA,
Re: Half Shaft Questions (45ACP)
Ran my 66 , big/block yesterday , with the half shafts from ZIP , $113 a pair with forum discount , with new U joints & flange completely assembled & made in USA.........They were fine .suggest you consider them ,as a good product &great price........my 66 , has 308 gears , street tires & my best ET was 13.7 @102 MPH......427 ,with 9.5 compression TOURQUE rules.. worked for me ......the dog...WOOF WOOF. :chevy :seeya :flag
[Modified by StrayDog, 12:38 PM 10/28/2001]
[Modified by StrayDog, 12:38 PM 10/28/2001]
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
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From: Moon Township PA
Re: Half Shaft Questions (bence13_33)
The only time I hear of guys snapping half-shafts, it is with a hot-rodded engine and then getting the rpm's up while dumping the clutch. In my more youthful days in the 70's nobody twisted half-shafts. Did the guy telling you this happen to sell Corvette parts? ;)
Gary
Gary
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From: Charles Town WV
Re: Half Shaft Questions (GaryS)
The guy from Ohio with the Badass Yellow '71 that has an injected 502 and ROD 6 speed was telling me at Carlisle that he's been through 3 sets of half shafts. Maybe improving your clutch release technique would keep them from blowing. This guy was also using custom heavy duty halfshafts from some guy up in Canada.
For more examples of poorly constructed sentences, just email me :)
For more examples of poorly constructed sentences, just email me :)
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Clymer PA
Re: Half Shaft Questions (bence13_33)
StrayDog:
13.70 @ 102mph? Sounds like you were having some traction problems judging by your trap speed :).
I'll just stick with my '76 half shafts. My buddies dad (used to have a '72 'Vette w/ 454) told me to get stronger half shafts. However, he also ran that thing at the track twice a week with slicks and turned 10.40s with that car....that would explain the twisted half shafts and broken spindles that he spoke of.
13.70 @ 102mph? Sounds like you were having some traction problems judging by your trap speed :).
I'll just stick with my '76 half shafts. My buddies dad (used to have a '72 'Vette w/ 454) told me to get stronger half shafts. However, he also ran that thing at the track twice a week with slicks and turned 10.40s with that car....that would explain the twisted half shafts and broken spindles that he spoke of.
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Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 4,795
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From: Regina Saskatchewan, Canada.
Re: Half Shaft Questions (bence13_33)
Who told you you are going to twist a half shaft? If you want to twist a half shaft you need mega torque and slicks. The others are right too, you will bust up a u-joint before anything else because the sudden jolt of you releasing the clutch will shock the hell out of the driveline causing the weakest link to go first, that being the u-joints. Keep 'em greased and don't worry about it.
