Driveshaft Length

[Quatrefoil]

79 vette, L48 engine. Removing TH350 trans. Installing a Bowtie 700R4 trans. I understand we have to cut the driveshaft. How much ??? Maybe the question should have been, " How do you determine the finished drive shaft length? "

 

[frank_nesta]

79 vette, L48 engine. Removing TH350 trans. Installing a Bowtie 700R4 trans. I understand we have to cut the driveshaft. How much ???

I was told 3". That said I checked the length on the car and it was 3". But double check it. Measure twice and cut once.

 

[6880 Mike]

Would an 82 driveshaft work for you?

 

[diehrd]

Get trans installed and measure it if your not sure how call the shop who cuts and balances shaft . 3 inches I think is to much when I did mine it was 2 3/8 maybe .. But measure twice cut once matter big time when you do this change.

 

[Yellow81vette]

Mine was cut and balanced at 3".

 

[Hib Halverson]

The stock trans in an 82 was the TH 700-R4. Why not use an 82 drive shaft?

 

[Yellow81vette]

The stock trans in an 82 was the TH 700-R4. Why not use an 82 drive shaft?

,There are three different tail sections. I bought a custon built 90 GMC truck 700R4. They installed a Corvette servo pump, shift kit and a 13 vane updated pump. This transmission was half the price of a Bowtie transmission. The only thing I had to do was cut the lower two bracket holders. Luckily I had a porta-band saw and die grinder. They are not needed on a Corvette and were in the way on install. It's the tail section in the middle and you can see it on my transmission before install. The tail section on the right is the correct one. I measured the overall length of my th350 vs. the rebuilt 700R4 and came up with the 3" measurement. You'll have a little play in the yoke so 1/2 inch shorter probably wouldn't matter.
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I spent less than $800.00 on the transmision, converter and Bowtie crossmember.

 

[Yellow81vette]

The stock trans in an 82 was the TH 700-R4. Why not use an 82 drive shaft?

I'm sorry. To answer your question, A 1982 driveshaft would probably work if you were puchasing a rebuilt 700R from a 82 Corvette, which is hard to find. If your buying from Bowtie, I would let them specify it.

 

[Hib Halverson]

Are the three different 700R4 extension housings all different lengths?

 

[Yellow81vette]

Are the three different 700R4 extension housings all different lengths?

All 2 wheel drive 700R4's measure 30-3/4" in total length.

This article is the one I got all my info from. Great article. Their transmissions are way to expensive.
700 Raptor 700R4 700R4 Transmission 700r4 700R4 700r4 PATC 700R4 700r4 700r4 700r4 700r4 700r4 700r4 700r4 700r4
I did have to order a speedometer gear and extend the shifter slot to pull down in 1st gear. Used a drimmel tool.