I have them on my 77. They come with Spicer solid u joints
Big block vs small block half shafts
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 470
From: Wichita Kansas
Big block vs small block half shafts
My small block Vette has 2 1/2 inch half shafts. Will 3 inch easily replace these? I know it is probably overkill but for the price, the 3 inchers I am looking at are pretty attractive.... Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 753
From: Doctors Inlet Florida
Actually big and small blocks used the same half shafts. The early sharks used the 2.5 inch shafts and the later(i can't remember the year) used 3 inch shafts. I've heard that the 2.5 shafts are actually stronger.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,289
Likes: 4,380
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I believe I remember reading that the original larger diameter half-shaft tubes are made with thinner material than the original smaller diameter half-shafts.
Is that so?
Don't know if or how this might affect their strength.
Regards,
Alan
I believe I remember reading that the original larger diameter half-shaft tubes are made with thinner material than the original smaller diameter half-shafts.
Is that so?
Don't know if or how this might affect their strength.
Regards,
Alan
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
I would be interested in actual factory numbers if they were available, just to confirm those calculations. (Just simple logic tells me it would have been foolish for Chevrolet to go to all the trouble of making a new design/size part if it was weaker than the original part.)
JMO
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
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From: Texas City, TX Texas
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,920
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Perhaps. Does anyone know if it's cheaper for Chevy to make/source 3" halfshafts versus 2.5" halfshafts? I know it's frequently less expensive overall for GM to stock/warehouse a single part number for multiple models versus multiple part numbers for those same vehicles.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2014
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From: Foothills of the Adirondacks.
Last edited by LT1M21Vette; Dec 11, 2016 at 08:28 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,445
Likes: 353
From: Athens GA
St. Jude Donor '12-'13, '15- '16-'17-'18-'19, '21
Ft Wayne Clutch half shaft specs from Ft Wayne Clutch direct
Here is the response direct from Ft Wayne Clutch about the 3" half shafts I bought a couple years ago.
I have increased my HP plans (600+) so I am going with Tom's Differentials half shafts where the wall thickness is .134".
As recommended by Gary Ramadei to match the 1350 rear axle setup and Super 10 rear he is building for me.
I'll be running sticky tires at times. And a stick shift.
There is considerable price difference between these 2. Tom's runs $475.
I'll be happy to sell my Ft Wayne half shafts that have been sitting on the shelf since I got them. They have the solid spicer u-joints in them.
PM if interested.
Txs
Dennis
Driveline 2 driveline2@fortwayneclutch.com via fortwayneclutch.onmicrosoft.com
Dec 6 (7 days ago)
to me
Dennis,
They would have / and still are = made with 3”DIA x .083”THICK
Unless, they were special built to a spec that you wanted at the time of order.…
-Steve
WORK_red60
Fort Wayne Clutch and Driveline
2424 Goshen Road
Fort Wayne, IN. 46808
>PH# 1-800-258-8243
>FAX# 260-484-8605
I have increased my HP plans (600+) so I am going with Tom's Differentials half shafts where the wall thickness is .134".
As recommended by Gary Ramadei to match the 1350 rear axle setup and Super 10 rear he is building for me.
I'll be running sticky tires at times. And a stick shift.
There is considerable price difference between these 2. Tom's runs $475.
I'll be happy to sell my Ft Wayne half shafts that have been sitting on the shelf since I got them. They have the solid spicer u-joints in them.
PM if interested.
Txs
Dennis
Driveline 2 driveline2@fortwayneclutch.com via fortwayneclutch.onmicrosoft.com
Dec 6 (7 days ago)
to me
Dennis,
They would have / and still are = made with 3”DIA x .083”THICK
Unless, they were special built to a spec that you wanted at the time of order.…
-Steve
WORK_red60
Fort Wayne Clutch and Driveline
2424 Goshen Road
Fort Wayne, IN. 46808
>PH# 1-800-258-8243
>FAX# 260-484-8605
Last edited by bmans vette; Dec 13, 2016 at 01:16 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 216
Likes: 16
From: Haverfordwest Pembrokeshire
Just curious but do you need to change the diff stub shafts as well to fit the Fort Wayne Clutch half shafts as they seem to have a flat flange for the half shafts to bolt up to?
Nice looking shafts but I don't think I'll ever be able to justify them.
Graham
Nice looking shafts but I don't think I'll ever be able to justify them.
Graham
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,445
Likes: 353
From: Athens GA
St. Jude Donor '12-'13, '15- '16-'17-'18-'19, '21
No change in length.
The Tom's Differentials are different as they have the flanges at each end that match up to the flange of the inner and outer axles.
Hope that helps.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,920
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
I paid a touch over $400 several years ago for the pair of 3 1/2" shafts on my '69.I didn't see anything where it mentioned the wall thickness, though.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 355
Likes: 18
From: Corona Ca
They were a direct bolt in, joint at diff, flange at wheel. Really nice parts, and good people to deal with.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 216
Likes: 16
From: Haverfordwest Pembrokeshire
The Ft Wayne half shafts are duplicate of the stock ones. Ujoint connects to the inner axle yoke and the flange connects to the outer flange.
No change in length.
The Tom's Differentials are different as they have the flanges at each end that match up to the flange of the inner and outer axles.
Hope that helps.
No change in length.
The Tom's Differentials are different as they have the flanges at each end that match up to the flange of the inner and outer axles.
Hope that helps.
Graham
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 753
From: Doctors Inlet Florida
My car has 30 spline axles that require a flange on both sides. I had to add the flange on the differential side. If you removed the flange it would bolt right up to stock U bolt axle.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,445
Likes: 353
From: Athens GA
St. Jude Donor '12-'13, '15- '16-'17-'18-'19, '21
Like I said.....they are duplicate to stock half shafts, just newer and have the solid spicer u-joints which are stronger than the ones with the zerk fitting.
Look at an AIM or one of the vendor catalogs to see what I am talking about.
Bman
