63 with two different pinion sizes

[Jim R.]

What would be the best fix, working on my buddys 63 today and going to put the driveshaft back on, the front went on nice but there was a problem with the rear, it turns out that it has a later rear end (71) with the larger 4-1/4 pinion yoke, the u joint on his 2 inch driveshaft was for the smaller pinion yoke as it should be but the rear pinion need the longer/larger u joint, what options are there to fix this, this car is just a driver so it does not need to be correct, should we change to the larger 2.5 driveshaft and change the front pinion yoke, or try and change the rear pinion yoke to the smaller one, I should note that this car was driven with this setup when he purchased it years ago I wonder what they did in the rear, my guess would be the just centered the shorter u joint and tightened down the saddles and bolts. any ideas would be appreciated.

[Wayne W.]

Re: 63 with two different pinion sizes

If you are not concerned with originality, there are U-joints made with the two sizes to fit.

[Jim R.]

Re: 63 with two different pinion sizes

Wayne do you mean the u joint is longer one way than the other.

[Philip C.]

Re: 63 with two different pinion sizes

Wayne is right they sell a u-joint to fit it any drive shaft shop or good auto store has them. Phil 8063

[Gary R.]

Re: 63 with two different pinion sizes

Hey Jim,
Been awhile, how you doing? That '63 should have the smaller pinion yoke which is a 1310 size but as you stated someone installed either a whole C3 diff or just the larger 1330 pinion yoke. You can buy a Spicer 1310 x 1330 Ujoint and use it as it is. They are zerked joints which I don't use but as long as you keep the front end on the ground it will be ok!!!

The Spicer part # for the conversion joint is 5-134x
Neapco I think makes a solid conversion joint the # I have in my file is 10134BF but check them both online, you should not have a problem finding them.

You can also replace the 1330 yoke with a 1310 if you want. If the diff pinion seal is leaking then this may be an option, it will cost about $75 for a used 1310 yoke in nice shape or over $100 for a new (probably imported) 1310 yoke.

If you have any questions on the install of the yoke call me up and I'll go over it with you.
See ya
Gary

[Jim R.]

Re: 63 with two different pinion sizes

Hi Gary good to hear from you, things are all good here in WI, thanks a bunch for the u joint part #s you will save us time from trying to figure that out with the part store guy, I hope things are going good for you as well. Jim

[Gary R.]

Re: 63 with two different pinion sizes

Jim, while the 63 diff's are good for numbers cars they really weren't good diff's in stock form, the open diff was stronger then the posi. So having a 71 diff is not a bad thing. The posi is the better Eaton with the stronger 10-17 spiders but with the weaker clutches so have fun with it. The side yokes are still the hardened ones too.