Original 67-69 Camaro driveshafts - information requested about your car

[bcmiller]

Several people are working on putting together original driveshaft information for 67-69 Camaros. Items of most interest at this point are below.

If you have an original driveshaft and would be willing to post information about your car, it would be very much appreciated. Here is what to include...

Year of car
Norwood or Los Angeles car
Month and week of vehicle assembly
Engine
Transmission
Driveshaft length (measured center of u joint to center of u joint)
Type of attachment to pinion yoke. There are two types: U bolts and the strap and bolts method.
Code stamped on front of passenger side axle tube.
Paint stripes and a picture (if possible)
Position of the u-joint flanges on each end. Some cars were "in-line" and others were "clocked" about 30 degrees off from each other

Post in this thread if you want. If you would rather not post, but still contribute, send an email to me please. Thanks.

Bryon

*** Modified 3/18/2014 to remove casting number.  Most don't have it and it is a forging number on the yoke.  ***

[rich69rs]

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=914.0

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=980.0

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=4623.0

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=4425.0

You might find these helpful if you havenn't seen them already.

The original driveshaft in my my 69 RS, which I have owned since Nov 1991, 01C build date, had the driveshaft yokes offset one from another when I purchased the car.  In July 1992 I had the driveshaft modified so as to put the yokes in phase.  The original engine was not in my car when I acquired it in Nov 1991, but it was most likely a 307.  The car has the original 2 speed Powerglide automatic and the original 2.73:1 open rear end.  Pinion yoke, as I recall, is attached with straps.

I also have a spare driveshaft that I personally removed from a 69 Camaro that was being parted out in March 1994.  This car was a base coupe with a 327, built around the 3rd week of November 68 (VIN# 124379N551248, engine code V1122FJ).   Note:  This engine now resides in my car.  Not the original, but at least I do have a '69 Camaro engine in my ride.  This parts car had a 3 speed manual, not sure about the rear end - undoubtedly a 10 bolt open but ratio is unknown.  Yokes on the driveshaft are offset as well.

[bcmiller]

Rich,

Thanks for those links.  I had read most of them previously.  The offset question is probably not one that can be easily answered, but I thought I would ask people who had originals to try to figure this out. 

Maybe I should just take this one step at a time, but I figured if people were going to take the time to look at what they had it might be easiest to just get all the iinformation at once.

So for now...what I think I have figured out is the following for lengths.  This is from AMA specs and some other Chevrolet sources. For 67 and 68 cars with the 396, different frame mounts for the engine were used which pulled the engine forward about 1/2 to 3/4 inch.  Also note the holes for the 396 crossmember for use with a manual transmission had the transmission mounting holes about 3/4 inch forward.  The PG, TH350, 3 speed manual and 4 speed manual transmissions are all close to 27 5/8 or 27 3/4 inches long (including bellhousing length).  But the TH400 is slightly longer - around 28 1/4 inches.

67 and 68 Camaros used two different lengths.  49.96 inches for all applications except the 396 with manual trans which was 50.46 inches.

69 Camaros all used the same length, 49.56 inches.  This appears to be due to the frame mounts all being the same for the big blocks and small blocks.  Although I can't find anything listed, it seems the TH400 driveshaft should be slightly shorter.

So that is why I am looking for actual measurements, to confirm these numbers.  If anyone has different information, please post it and list your source.

Bryon

[bcmiller]

Is ANYBODY out there willing to measure your original driveshaft and provide that information? 

Especially interested in Big Block cars...manual trans or TH400.  Thanks.

[MyRed67]

  You have perfect timing, that's right where I'm at with my restoration.  My car is a '67 V8 Coupe, 11 A, Los Angeles built.  Has the standard 327 - 2 bbl. engine with Powerglide trans.. The Driveshaft length is 50 in..  I have not found the Casting #( I assume it's on the end flange)(I haven't got that far cleaning)  The Rear end tube Code reads: PW 0919 G.  The paint stripes are Orange/White(I've included a pic.)  And the U-joint flanges are Clocked.  Let me know if you really need that Casting#..

[MyRed67]

I forgot to add it has U-bolts to attach the rear universal to the Rear-end input shaft.

[68camaroz28]

Several people are working on putting together original driveshaft information for 67-69 Camaros. Items of most interest at this point are below.

If you have an original driveshaft and would be willing to post information about your car, it would be very much appreciated. Here is what to include...

Year of car- 1968
Norwood or Los Angeles car- NOR
Month and week of vehicle assembly- 01B
Engine- MO
Transmission- M21
Driveshaft length (measured center of u joint to center of u joint)- will need to measure
Driveshaft casting number- ? need to look for that but did not notice one before
Type of attachment to pinion yoke. There are two types: U bolts and the strap and bolts method.- U bolts
Code stamped on front of passenger side axle tube.- BV1129
Paint stripes and a picture (if possible)- Picture of lime green looking paint stripes on trans. yoke.
Position of the u-joint flanges on each end. Some cars were "in-line" and others were "clocked" about 30 degrees off from each other- in line

Post in this thread if you want. If you would rather not post, but still contribute, send an email to me please. Thanks.

Bryon

[68camaroz28]

Should have mentioned that the lime green type color paint was on both sides of the yoke. In the center of the drive shaft there must have been some type of sticker/tape as the lines around the entire shaft (where it was) are very defined and very virgn material. Something was there but what I have no idea....

[bcmiller]

MyRed67 - sorry I could not find your name isted - thanks for that information.  It goes along with what the length is supposed to be for 1967 Camaros with 6 cylinder and small block V8 - 49.96 inches.  The information on the u bolts helps too.  At this point, just started a database on the stripe colors.  If you could, list the color of the stripes in order from front to back.  I can't tell from the picture if the orange or white is toward the front.  If you find the casting number, please post that too.  Thanks.

[bcmiller]

Chick, what car was that driveshaft from?  Your 68 Z28?  

If so can you post the length from center of u joint to center of u joint.  Thanks.

[MyRed67]

>>>bcmiller;
   I am going to post another picture I took of the Driveshaft with measurements, I am going to use this as a diagram to restore the Driveshaft back to original condition.

[bcmiller]

Thanks Mike.

[MyRed67]

>> Bryon;
   I am attaching a pic. of the front Driveshaft Yoke straight on.  If you can decipher the part # you're better than me.  This is actually a pretty good pic., #'s are just real hard to decipher.  I'm guessing, but are the last 3 #'s on bottom row part of date code?  I don't know how they coded these yokes, but my Steering Gear Box was day 276.  Don't suppose this helps much, but it's the best I can do.

[bcmiller]

Mike, yes tough to read.  Thanks anyway and good luck on your restoration.

[68camaroz28]

Chick, what car was that driveshaft from?  Your 68 Z28?  

If so can you post the length from center of u joint to center of u joint.  Thanks.

Yes, the drive shaft is off our 68 Z/28 and the length is 52 1/2". I found the part # on the yoke but its very difficult to read other than a couple numbers.

Edited 3/15/2014   
Actually this is a 1969 drive shaft is from a 69. 
Edited 3/15/2014