Drag Racing Discussions > Front Engine Dragsters

slip yoke and u-joint

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xlr8:
I bought my FED with a shorty powerglide and a '63 Pontiac/Olds differential installed. Between the two are the drive shaft style slip yoke from the trans and a u-joint bolted to the diff pinion u-joint flange. It has a 3/16" steel 2 piece cover around everything that's bolted together with 4 bolts, and held in position by a mount extended back from the transmission mount holes. I also added a 1 inch wide steel band that's bolted around the cover, (just in case). I believe this is how this 1969 FED was originally engineered. We plan to put about 850 HP through this. Does this setup sound adequate? So far we got it to run 8.32 with a 1.15 60 foot. I window'd the block at about 1100-1200 feet. The new engine should be stronger than the old one by about 100 hp.

AF150:
Be safe...install a modern coupler assembly. Check out Mark Williams, S & W, Strange, Etc.

dreracecar:
First off, its "Urban Legend" that the gears will come out the back and nail the driver--- never happened. Second is that U-joints are designed to run at an angle to rotate the needle bearings, If there is no driveshaft angle the "cross" POUNDS the bearings into the cup and disinagrates the needles, then it all goes to crap. time to step away from early 60's tech and use a coupler setup

gregm784:
Add me to the "coupler" crowd.  I wouldn't sit on a u-joint.  Make sure it is in alignment, and put a coupler in it. 

wideopen231:
question. Where is driveshaft in relation to body parts? Only makes sense to get strongest thing available. Cost is minimal compared to risk factor. JMO  Get a modern coupler st up and never worry about it.

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