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Driveshaft install

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drooartz

drooartz

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I'm hoping to get the engine/transmission installed this weekend if all goes well. One question about the driveshaft:

Do you connect the driveshaft to the transmission and then install the entire engine/transmission/driveshaft unit?

OR

Do you install the engine/transmission, then install the driveshaft?

OR

Is there a third choice?
 
You know about the masking tape trick to hold the U-joints straight?
 
I sure hope so as we have discussed it pleanty of times.
 
Thanks. I was near certain it was option #2, just wanted to make sure before I started swinging that engine around.

I do remember the masking tape trick, I think... basically use the masking tape to keep the U-joint straight, figuring it will just dissolve once the car is moving.
 
Yep, that's the masking tape trick. If you can reach your hand down through the shifter hole you might be able to get the tape off before you have to drive it. Otherwise you'll have something akin to the card in the spokes sound effect for a little while.
 
The front universal actually moves very little as the car is run so chances are that the tape will be there for the next removal also.
 
It is amazing how quick you forget about the masking tape when you first drive the car.
The tape makes an ungodly noise and your heart races, then you remember, oh, it's only the tape flapping around :smile:
 
If your driveshaft is already in the car, I'd leave it. I've only done 1 engine pull/replace so I don't know much but I just left the driveshaft as is, and I paused a sec to slip it back into the tranny as I put them back in the car.
 
I pulled my 59 BE engine a few months ago to clean and refurbish. I put it back with the drive shaft connected to the transmission. Absolutely no problems getting it back together. I was able to install it with no help. Probably took 30 mins or less to get it into place.
 
spritenut said:
It is amazing how quick you forget about the masking tape when you first drive the car.
The tape makes an ungodly noise and your heart races, then you remember, oh, it's only the tape flapping around :smile:
Click to expand...
Yep, and if you don't have a shifter boot fitted it really gives you quite a start. I'll suggest another thing...don't wrap it in electrical tape. With the heat that stuff gets gummy and nasty. I made that mistake once. When I pulled it out my hands looked like I'd been packing bearings with tar.
 
I have found it quite simple to take a pause while dropping the engine/trans back in when it is about half way in and just reach through the hole in the tunnel and slip the trans and shaft together and then continue with the install!!
 
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