Thread: Another driveshaft question. Side to side angles?

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Wow! A 15 degree angle between trans output and driveshaft is at the ragged edge of any recommendation I've seen. Universal joints are generally designed to operate at 5* or less for maximum life.

Any prediciton on this one is outside my range of experience - or comfort. However, I don't think you have much choice.

More info here:

http://www.iedls.com/IEDL_PTS_LGL_091008_Secure.pdf

I raised the motor up 2 inches and the working angle changed to 8 degrees.

Any higher and I wont be able to see over the bellhousing.

Any other comments or suggestions?

Thanks everyone, its real comforting to be able to talk this over with all of you.

It would be even more comforting if someone said "Oh, that simple, just ...."

Originally Posted by maddddog

I raised the motor up 2 inches and the working angle changed to 8 degrees.

Any higher and I wont be able to see over the bellhousing.

Any other comments or suggestions?

Thanks everyone, its real comforting to be able to talk this over with all of you.

It would be even more comforting if someone said "Oh, that simple, just ...."

Wow. Thats darn near what I had to start with. LOL's. I decided to raise my engine/transmission more as well. Really wanted to keep a flat floor. Oh well. Its permanent now. Finally getting the floor welded in.

Here's another place I found usefull. A buddy uses it to work on semi-trucks. You can download the trial version....use it for your application.....and delete it from computer. I did a few months ago. No problems....no spam email.

http://www.vibratesoftware.com/

Of coarse....you dont have to have the software....but I found it to be a good teaching tool. Allows you to change things around for different scenarios.
Dave G

The 1941 Ford I am building is good from the sideview, my problem is when you are looking at it from the top, my engine and trans are centered in the frame, my 9" rearend is centered so it puts an angle on my rear driveshaft, is that normal and I just haven't noticed it before?

Yes its normal.
Here are some facts to help you.

-The working angle of the ujoint should not be more than 5 degrees and not less than 1 or 2.
-The driveshaft doesnt care if the angle is up and down or side to side.
-If the rearend used 2 axles the same legnth, the pinion will be offset and if the pinion is centered your axles are different legnth.
-The angle of the tailshaft (or crankshaft centerline) and the pinion angle must be the same but on different planes, or parellel, (creating the working angle of the ujoints)

Hope this helps.