Shorty Powerglide Conversion

[lake_harley]

Is there anyone who offers a service to shorten and re-spline a stock Powerglide output shaft to build a shorty PG? I thought maybe some of the companies like Moser or Dutchman who re-spline axles might do it, but it isn't mentioned on their websites. I realize shorty planetary/output shafts can be bought aftermarket but the application would be a low HP car (under 300 HP) and I'd like to be as economical as practical without building a grenade. I already have two Powerglide "core" transmissions.

Thanks

Lynn

[BK]

A friend of mine cut one down. He cut the spline off, cut the shaft off, turned the shaft down, bored out the splined end and pressed it on the shorter shaft. welded the pressed on splines and made mid 8 second passes in a home built dragster for years.
P.S. his was a Shorty. A Sharty is something completely different.

[lake_harley]

"Sharty"  I need to proof read a bit better before I post. Thanks for the reply.

I'm not sure if I understand exactly what your friend did. Did he shorten the output by taking out a section between the planetary and the splined end? Or, did he remove the shaft from the planetary body and weld the cut off shaft back in? After reading your description several times it sounds like the first scenario, that he machined a "boss" on the planetary end of the shortened shaft and bored the splined end to  press fit it onto the "boss", and then welded it back together.

Sorry if I seem dense, I feel I understand things better if I can put them in my own words to double-check my understanding.

Lynn

BTW...I was able to correct my typo in the subject line of my posts. I thought it would have changed it for the entire thread title, but it didn't.

[Roger]

According to their website, Moser Engineering can shorten and re-spline your output shaft for $75. Click on the "Support" at the top of their page then click on "Shop Services". They can also shorten and re-spline your stock axles.

[lake_harley]

Thank you for the direction. I had not checked the "Support" section of their website. $75.00 to respline the output shaft is quite reasonable. I'd be able to get the 8 3/4 Mopar axles done too for $125 for the pair. Doing it through one company would save a bit on shipping too. Seems another question/problem is solved! Thanks!

Lynn

[BK]

The first description. The shaft was never removed from the planetary. All the work was done at the tail end of the shaft.

"Sharty"  I need to proof read a bit better before I post. Thanks for the reply.

I'm not sure if I understand exactly what your friend did. Did he shorten the output by taking out a section between the planetary and the splined end? Or, did he remove the shaft from the planetary body and weld the cut off shaft back in? After reading your description several times it sounds like the first scenario, that he machined a "boss" on the planetary end of the shortened shaft and bored the splined end to  press fit it onto the "boss", and then welded it back together.

Sorry if I seem dense, I feel I understand things better if I can put them in my own words to double-check my understanding.

Lynn

BTW...I was able to correct my typo in the subject line of my posts. I thought it would have changed it for the entire thread title, but it didn't.

[BK]

If this is for the track I'm not sure resplined axles will make it through tech.

Thank you for the direction. I had not checked the "Support" section of their website. $75.00 to respline the output shaft is quite reasonable. I'd be able to get the 8 3/4 Mopar axles done too for $125 for the pair. Doing it through one company would save a bit on shipping too. Seems another question/problem is solved! Thanks!

Lynn
[/quote]

[lake_harley]

I'll have to check into using re-splined axles. I'm considering building a FED that would purposely be pretty low HP.....like 275-300 HP, just to keep from getting things too complicated and expensive. Purpose would be to do some bracket racing. If I see that building one is going to get out of hand, considering what my modest interest is, I'd probably just pull the plug on the project before I start.

Thanks for offering your knowledge.

Lynn

[Roger]

BK is right, the NHRA rulebook states " Aftermarket axles and axle retention device mandatory on Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, and 10.99 or quicker E.T. cars; also mandatory on any car  (regardless of class or E.T.) with a spool." Looks like your combination should run somewhere in the 10 second range so aftermarket axle would be required. Lots of rules and requirements and most all are for safety:)

While you can get by with re-splined axles in a low horsepower and lightweight car, a full size doorslammer running the same times would surely abuse them. Same rule covers both situations so...

[bikeguy307]

Moser os a good place to use.

[vuu0ai]

I'll have to check into using re-splined axles. I'm considering building a FED that would purposely be pretty low https://balkanpharmaceuticals.to HP.....like 275-300 HP, just to keep from getting things too complicated and expensive. Purpose would be to do some bracket racing. If I see that building one is going to get out of hand, considering what my modest interest is, I'd probably just pull the plug on the project before I start.

Thanks for offering your knowledge.

Lynn

interested if you've started your project. i've been thinking about something low-budget myself too.
if you did, please update on how's it going, pretyt interested. thanks

[wideopen231]

Not bad mouthing your need to save money. IMO axles is probably the worst place to do so. A set of lo end after market axles is not that much,especially in the big picture. Heck a set of tires for tow truck cost more. Plus the cost of if one breaks no drivier is going to keep it out of wall. I understand building low HP setup and may never want more,although I don;t understand not wanting more power part.  Its just cheap insurance IMO. Then again its not my money or butt in the seat.

[dusterdave173]

Stroll through any swap meet with race parts and you will see many of those shafts twisted--I would say it is pretty reasonable to get a "new" mfg shorty kit --that is great quality  Just not a place where I want a failure--Low HP yea OK but who stays with that for long? I would say that is a critical spot on any racer car and i would opt for a correct strong new option--even if you had to save up and wait  I have seen too many of those fail

[bikeguy307]

If you are wanting to move your current gears and stuff into a shorty carrier, I have several used shorty 1.76 carriers. Some with an after market shaft welded in and some stock that have been shortened.