Speedometer Right Angle Drive

[BritBite]

Just picked up my fully rebuilt transmission and overdrive. I have linked up the unit to my fully rebuilt engine and have a quandary about the angle drive on the overdrive. The pinion gear and drive assembly were newly installed into the overdrive as my original was trashed. My issue is that my original angle drive (square drive) will not fully insert into the pinion drive. Are there different length drives?
Thanks for any comments.

 

[red57]

I would take the angle drive and the rebuilt transmission back to the shop that did the rebuild and ask them why it doesn't fit correctly - It should be straightforward for them. You've obviously spent a lot of time and dollars on the project, let them help you get it right.

 

[BobHaskell]

There should also be a washer fitted between the gearbox and the right angle drive.

 

[vette]

I think I like Red57's answer best but having said that I did have trouble with a new angle drive I bought for my old Vette with a small block engine and OEM distributor. Although as you have said your angle drive is your original one so it should go right in. Sometimes you have to turn the cable to make it align. As with so many of the aftermarket parts we get especially those from overseas in certain areas the parts are not built to good tolerances. The angle drive I bought for the Vette would not go into the distributor housing far enough to thread the knurled cap on. After long deliberation with a few Guinness I determined that the shaft was really to long. So again after much soul searching I cut it.

 

[BritBite]

Issue resolved. The newly installed drive gear was from a used transmission and had a piece of a formally failed angle drive still inserted up a ways in the shaft. I removed the pinion gear and taped out the small piece and all is good.
A quick conversation with the repair shop owner alerted me to this possibly. My experience thus far with John Esposito @ Quantum has been excellent, I highly recommend his services.

 

[Rob Glasgow]

I am rebooting an old thread since it's a related issue. I've owned my BT7 for 60 years and have had to replace the angle drive several times. Always the same issue. The short cable that goes into the transmission gets twisted and fails. I've repaired a few and purchased a few replacements.

400 miles ago I installed a new one and last week it failed. Same problem, twisted short cable. I checked and there is no issue with the speedometer or the long cable. It seems the two small gears in the angle drive bind up in some manner and the small cable suffers the pain.

Anyone have an answer as to why they fail and how to prevent? Would a solid square shaft work better than the short cable? I am getting good at replacing them. Oh and yes, I have the small washer installed. I did have an old one on hand and it is working well so far.