'72: Driveshaft Supposed to be Angled?

[Patricia Brown]

Hello,

I just installed my driveshaft , completing the drivetrain on my project '72. The body is off, so it's easy to view the angle of the driveshaft. When standing at the rear of the car you can see that the driveshaft is farther to the right (passenger side) in the front, where it enters tranny, than in the rear, by approx. 1". Is this normal?

On further inquiry, it appears the motor mount frame brackets are of different lengths: the driver's side mount is longer reaching than the passenger one, placing the engine and tranny more toward the passenger's side. The differential must be centered, because half-shafts are same length, so I assume the driveshaft must make up for the difference in alignment with its u-joints. It just looks really weird and I want to be sure this is proper...

Thanks, Patricia

[rick spears]

Re: '72: Driveshaft Supposed to be Angled?

that is exactly right.....does look weird while body is off though (i just finished body off resto of my 73 coupe) the engine is off-set to the right, i believe to accomodate for added leg room for driver, but the rear end is in the middle of the frame, so the drive shaft has to come back to center! good luck with the rest of your project! rick

[Patricia Brown]

Re: '72: Driveshaft Supposed to be Angled?

Rick,

Thank you SO much! I was sweating bullets today when I went to hook up the driveshaft! I even got out the hoist and lifted the engine a bit and tried to shove it around, but it just keeps settling in the same spot! I am SO relieved.

Thank you a ton!
Patricia Brown

[Craig S.]

Re: '72: Driveshaft Supposed to be Angled?

I believe the 1" engine mount shift to the passenger side is to allow clearance for the steering gear on the drivers side.......Craig

[Donald O.]

Re: '72: Driveshaft Supposed to be Angled?

Drive shafts and their respective u-joints are never supposed to be at zero angle. The reason is that at a slight angle it will create movement in the neddle bearings and thus keep them lubed.

Don