Simple Dana 44 question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: Clifton NJ
Simple Dana 44 question
I purchased the complete dana 44 conversion kit from Contemporary Corvette however, the drive-shaft did not come with the tranny slip yoke.
Am I supposed to remove and reuse the yoke from my Dana 36 d-shaft?
I already istalled it that way and would like to know if this is correct prior to going further.
It seams that the yoke has a little distance between the yoke bottom and the tail shaft housing. Is this normal?
My Vette is an 85 automatic 700r4 trans and Im in process of upgrading to a Dana 44 3.45.1. Any help on this would be appreciated.
Just looking for a heads up or do I need a paticular yoke.
John
t
Am I supposed to remove and reuse the yoke from my Dana 36 d-shaft?
I already istalled it that way and would like to know if this is correct prior to going further.
It seams that the yoke has a little distance between the yoke bottom and the tail shaft housing. Is this normal?
My Vette is an 85 automatic 700r4 trans and Im in process of upgrading to a Dana 44 3.45.1. Any help on this would be appreciated.
Just looking for a heads up or do I need a paticular yoke.
John
t
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
Yes, if you notice, the d44 shaft was about 1in shorter then the d36 shaft. By switching the yoke from the front (automatic transmission style) this allows you to mate the 2 units up, being a manual rear diff. and a automatic transmission. Hope this makes sense. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Az
St. Jude Contributor
You could just use the DS from the 36. The slip yoke's have about an 1.5" play in them, as long as the splines mate-up ok.
I would install all new u-joints while things are apart!!
I would install all new u-joints while things are apart!!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
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From: Slidell Louisiana
Originally Posted by hoot85
Q1Am I supposed to remove and reuse the yoke from my Dana 36 d-shaft?
I already istalled it that way and would like to know if this is correct prior to going further.
Q2 It seams that the yoke has a little distance between the yoke bottom and the tail shaft housing. Is this normal?
John
I already istalled it that way and would like to know if this is correct prior to going further.
Q2 It seams that the yoke has a little distance between the yoke bottom and the tail shaft housing. Is this normal?
John
Q1Yes
Q2 If your talking about a little room for the yoke to slip deeper into the tailshaft, Yes
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 4
From: Milan
Originally Posted by edsalinas
You could just use the DS from the 36. The slip yoke's have about an 1.5" play in them, as long as the splines mate-up ok.
I would install all new u-joints while things are apart!!
I would install all new u-joints while things are apart!!
And what happens if the stock DS CAN be fitted and now there is 0 play in the yoke?
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Az
St. Jude Contributor
Originally Posted by conv90
are you sure about the use of the stock d36 drive shaft?
And what happens if the stock DS CAN be fitted and now there is 0 play in the yoke?
Thanks
And what happens if the stock DS CAN be fitted and now there is 0 play in the yoke?
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 4
From: Milan
Update
Just to say that the mechanic called and he says that there is NO way to put the stock D36 Auto Driveshaft. The play on the yoke is less than 0. The only way to have a real minimum (2 mm or 3mm...
) is to drill the new holes on the auto C beam at a distance where at the end the differential is not straight. If this is the solution to gain a (required) play in the yoke I will be not confortable to have the my new Dana 44 tilted ...
What I do now...??
-Beppe-
) is to drill the new holes on the auto C beam at a distance where at the end the differential is not straight. If this is the solution to gain a (required) play in the yoke I will be not confortable to have the my new Dana 44 tilted ... What I do now...??
-Beppe-
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Race Director
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Originally Posted by conv90
....help me!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,238
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From: Milan
Pete, see the pic (not my transmission...)...
I have to measure from the black line (where there is the arrow) to the end of the tailshaft (not shown in the pic...)??
I'ts possible that the trans is not a corvette trans..even if this trans has ALL the function that a corvette trans has...
I have to measure from the black line (where there is the arrow) to the end of the tailshaft (not shown in the pic...)??
I'ts possible that the trans is not a corvette trans..even if this trans has ALL the function that a corvette trans has...
Race Director
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Originally Posted by conv90
Pete, see the pic (not my transmission...)...
I have to measure from the black line (where there is the arrow) to the end of the tailshaft (not shown in the pic...)??
I'ts possible that the trans is not a corvette trans..even if this trans has ALL the function that a corvette trans has...
I have to measure from the black line (where there is the arrow) to the end of the tailshaft (not shown in the pic...)??
I'ts possible that the trans is not a corvette trans..even if this trans has ALL the function that a corvette trans has...
The part I am referring to is the rearmost part of the case to the end of the output shaft. Imagine the driveshaft out and the tailhousing off the trans. That would be the only way to accurately measure the back of the output shaft. Another way to check is to remobe the driveshaft and look at the tip of the output shaft. If it comes to a slight taper, it is not a vette shaft. Vette shafts have a square cut end. . If it is not a vette shaft, the shaft may be bottoming out on the plug in the yoke.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 4
From: Milan
Originally Posted by Pete K
Beppe,
The part I am referring to is the rearmost part of the case to the end of the output shaft. Imagine the driveshaft out and the tailhousing off the trans. That would be the only way to accurately measure the back of the output shaft. Another way to check is to remobe the driveshaft and look at the tip of the output shaft. If it comes to a slight taper, it is not a vette shaft. Vette shafts have a square cut end. . If it is not a vette shaft, the shaft may be bottoming out on the plug in the yoke.
The part I am referring to is the rearmost part of the case to the end of the output shaft. Imagine the driveshaft out and the tailhousing off the trans. That would be the only way to accurately measure the back of the output shaft. Another way to check is to remobe the driveshaft and look at the tip of the output shaft. If it comes to a slight taper, it is not a vette shaft. Vette shafts have a square cut end. . If it is not a vette shaft, the shaft may be bottoming out on the plug in the yoke.
see this pic:
Is this the distance?
This night I will see the problem with my eyes... and i will be more accurate on the problem.
About the taishaft housing...even if the trans is not a corvette trans...The taishaft housing MUST be a corvette housing..right? If not I think that is impossible to be used on my new trans...enven in this present trans..right?
-Beppe
Race Director
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Beppe, when viewed from below, that distance is approx 7 3/8 long. If it is approx 8 inches, you found your problem. If you can, snap a pic of the bottom side of the whole trans. Also snap a pic of the very end of the output shaft.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,238
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From: Milan
Ok, thanks, I'll do.
.......but now with a D36 on the flor and with the D44 on the car.. what I can do??
Can I shorten the auto driveshaft I have, cutting it and welded togheter???
I have 2 auto driveshaft.. to try...
-Beppe-
.......but now with a D36 on the flor and with the D44 on the car.. what I can do??
Can I shorten the auto driveshaft I have, cutting it and welded togheter???
I have 2 auto driveshaft.. to try...
-Beppe-
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
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Originally Posted by conv90
Ok, thanks, I'll do.
.......but now with a D36 on the flor and with the D44 on the car.. what I can do??
Can I shorten the auto driveshaft I have, cutting it and welded togheter???
I have 2 auto driveshaft.. to try...
-Beppe-
.......but now with a D36 on the flor and with the D44 on the car.. what I can do??
Can I shorten the auto driveshaft I have, cutting it and welded togheter???
I have 2 auto driveshaft.. to try...
-Beppe-
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: Bradford Pa
that looks like what happens when you slap a D36 C-beam up after a D44 install...just those aren't even close to lining up
as far s the output shaft, pete will get ya straightened out. if i swap to a D44 and do it ghetto, my D36 driveshaft will do in a pinch. Otherwise, so far you've done everything according to swap instructions. i hope all is resolved shortly. you'll love the new gear!
i myself...don't plan on swapping gears since i may just be headed to a solid axle someday...if the D36 breaks then i really have no cloice. what i SHOULD do since it's out is cryo-treat it to give it a prayer of survival
as far s the output shaft, pete will get ya straightened out. if i swap to a D44 and do it ghetto, my D36 driveshaft will do in a pinch. Otherwise, so far you've done everything according to swap instructions. i hope all is resolved shortly. you'll love the new gear!
i myself...don't plan on swapping gears since i may just be headed to a solid axle someday...if the D36 breaks then i really have no cloice. what i SHOULD do since it's out is cryo-treat it to give it a prayer of survival
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 4
From: Milan
Originally Posted by Pete K
Any news?
)The output shaft is long and tapered at the end.
The measurement you asked to see it's about 20 cm (about 8").
And also tried to see where the problem was. In effec... the yoke CAN'T go any furter in the transmission because the tailshaft is too long.
I'm searching a new manual driveshaft, because i think that cutting the output shaft is not pratical. Also the mechanic is not happy to cut and reweld the driveshaft (even because the little weights to balance the DS are so close to the point where the DS should bu cut)..
Others solutions are welcome...
-Beppe-
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 304
From: Timra, Sweden
You can get a custom driveshaft from Strange Engineering. I got one when I installed the 4L80E. ( Those pictures posted in this thread are my th700r4 when I installed the Dana44 ).
http://www.joby.se/corvette/mods/2001-0X11_diff/
This is my stock driveshaft and the custom one from strange engineering.
$219 for a computer balanced 3" chrome-moly driveshaft with u-joints.
It it listed with 1350 yokes, but they made mine with one 1350 and one 1310 for the same price. It is heavier than the stock aluminium driveshaft, but it is stronger too.
http://www.strangeengineering.net/catalog/128.html
http://www.joby.se/corvette/mods/2001-0X11_diff/
This is my stock driveshaft and the custom one from strange engineering.
$219 for a computer balanced 3" chrome-moly driveshaft with u-joints.
It it listed with 1350 yokes, but they made mine with one 1350 and one 1310 for the same price. It is heavier than the stock aluminium driveshaft, but it is stronger too.
http://www.strangeengineering.net/catalog/128.html