different sized halfshafts-1969 L36

[Greg L.]

Well I finally managed to pull my body today and as I'm looking at the task that lie ahead I noticed that the drivers side halfshaft diameter is much smaller than the passenger side. Has one been changed or would this be factory? Thanks.

[Tom H.]

Re: different sized halfshafts-1969 L36

The ones on my 69 are the same size. It sounds like someone changed one, and used a later model shaft. I believe that Chev. changed them to a larger size in the mid 70's.

[Joe L.]

Re: different sized halfshafts-1969 L36

Greg-----

You have a post-1975 half-shaft installed on the passenger side. In 1975, the earlier 2-1/2" half-shaft was discontinued and replaced, for SERVICE, by the 1975+ PRODUCTION half-shaft which was 3" OD. Somewhere along the line after 1975, someone must have needed to replace a half-shaft and got the larger diameter one when the went to their local GM dealer. The larger half-shaft was the correct SERVICE part after 1975; it's just not the correct part for your car from the perspective of originality.

[Greg L.]

Re: different sized halfshafts-1969 L36

Well that's interesting. Thanks guys...I guess I'll look for an old pre 75 one. Are these "early ones" easy to come by or are they specific to BB or SB cars or to certain years. I'm just trying to educate myself before I go hunting. Thanks again.

[Joe L.]

Re: different sized halfshafts-1969 L36

Greg-----

The 2-1/2" OD half shafts were used for ALL 1963-74 Corvettes. However, all big block and all SERVICE versions after 1966 were shot-peened. With a used shaft, you will not be able to tell a non-shot-peened example from a shot-peened and it's really no big deal, anyway. If you want, have the shaft shot-peened.

[Klaus Friedrich #33362]

Re: different sized halfshafts-1969 L36

Hi Greg,

I've got the same surprise doing a frame-off some years ago. The two half shafts had different diameters. My Vette is a 69 L36 too (VIN 12048).

Greetings from Germany

Klaus Friedrich #33362