Original U Joints to New

[Peter M.]

I am running all original U joints on my 1966 427/425 with 55k miles. Engine was just rebuilt and dyno'd at 463/6000 so the car is very healthy on the power front.. I think all is well but when I am cruising at 80 I start worrying about gremlins under the car. I suppose I should change them for piece of mind. What is the best U Joint replacement part that is as close as possible to original look and function?

Thanks for your input.

[Joe L.]

Re: Original U Joints to New

Peter-----

There are no current-production u-joints that are exactly the same in configuration to your originals. The Spicer "lubed-for-life" type (without lube fittings, as-original) are of a completely different design and are forged of powder metal. The Spicer type with lube fittings are similar in overall configuration to the originals except for the lube fittings and the fact that the seals are blue and not black.

So, there isn't any Spicer joint, available through GM or otherwise from Spicer dealers, that is really just like the originals. I have been told that there are some NEAPCO joints which may be similar, but I've not confirmed that. NEAPCO joints are also sold under the "Brute Force" brand name. NEAPCO is a good brand.

One thing that you can do is this: remove the joints for inspection and/or service. Clean them up with solvent. If the trunnions are perfect with no brinnelling (indentions), at all, then the joints are good for re-use. If they're not perfect, then you need to replace them even if they seem ok otherwise. A catastrophic failure of one of these joints can cause a lot of other damage, so you're wise to check them out. Like I say, if they're good re-use them; if they're not, you have to replace them. The chances are at least one trunnion on each of the joints will be bad and that means the joint is scrap.

[Peter M.]

Re: Joe - Thanks!

Joe - Found NEAPCO on the web and they list 1966 Corvette 427 ! I will order a full set. Thanks for the help.

[Joe L.]

Re: Joe - Thanks!

Peter----

Keep in mind that NEAPCO has, I believe, several different lines, just like Spicer. I don't know which of the lines are closest to the originals in terms of configuration.

[Craig S.]

Re: Joe - Thanks!

I did get a set of the brute force line from Neapco a couple years ago, they look similar but not idential to the originals. The seals are red, but it it some type of surface coating that can be lightly scuffed off and the undercolor of the seals is black. Like the originals they are not lube type. I have not installed them yet, but have a full halfshaft and driveshaft set. Craig