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Hi guys, I’m in need of some help. I bought a T56 with Hawk’s level Viper upgrade kit installed a while back ago. Two nights ago, I was out measuring for driveshaft length when I noticed that the output shaft poked out two inches passed the seal.
The transmission is in the car (1972 Nova), so I was thinking about cutting it myself (I called a bunch of machine shops in my are and no one is willing to do it).
I guess my my biggest question would be how much of it to cut off? Should I cut it flush with the seal?
It does bottom out, but when I was filling out the driveshaft order form, it asks how much the output shaft protrudes the tail shaft, and this far exceeded any measurement on the sheet.
Although I also found that the Hardy Spicer yoke like you have was very long itself, and on mine it bottomed out inside the box. I bought a billet yoke instead which was much shorter, although I could have cut the inner end shorter.
It does bottom out, but when I was filling out the driveshaft order form, it asks how much the output shaft protrudes the tail shaft, and this far exceeded any measurement on the sheet.
Well, I went back and double checked and it is not bottoming out on the tailhousing. The yoke engages fully, and the shaft spins without issues.
Im going to call Tick or Hawks tomorrow to see what they say. If I have to cut, I’ve already ordered a good cutting and grinding wheel.
Ok guys, I spoke to someone at Haws and Tick earlier today. Things just keep getting more and more confusing. The tech person at Hawks informed me that they don't cut the output shaft, and that they've never had any issues with it. He said that I could cut the output shaft, but that it was not necessary, as long as it did not bottom out.
As for Ticks transmission builder, he said to cut it. He said that when it comes time to install the driveshaft, that the yoke would bottom out. I have a feeling that he thought that this was going into a 4th gen f-body car, even though I told him that it would be going in a Nova.
I went out to take another look at the transmission. I read through other threads and saw that people worried about enough engagement and whether the yoke goes past the bushing. So I backed the yoke out about 1" and the yoke goes up to the line seen in the image. I am planning on ordering my driveshaft from Strange Engineering, so I think I'm going to make one more phone call to see what they say.
I hope to get as much information as possible, and I will continue to update this thread for anyone that comes across this issue in the future. Many of the threads out there are not very helpful when it comes to this topic.
Well guys, I'm back for an update. I spoke to Ryan over at Hawks last week. He informed me that they don't cut the shafts, and that I can go ahead and run it with my custom length driveshaft (went with a Strange Engineering chromoly shaft). I'm hoping to get the driveshaft in early next week. I will update as soon as that is in.
Ok guys, I spoke to someone at Haws and Tick earlier today. Things just keep getting more and more confusing. The tech person at Hawks informed me that they don't cut the output shaft, and that they've never had any issues with it. He said that I could cut the output shaft, but that it was not necessary, as long as it did not bottom out.
As for Ticks transmission builder, he said to cut it. He said that when it comes time to install the driveshaft, that the yoke would bottom out. I have a feeling that he thought that this was going into a 4th gen f-body car, even though I told him that it would be going in a Nova.
I went out to take another look at the transmission. I read through other threads and saw that people worried about enough engagement and whether the yoke goes past the bushing. So I backed the yoke out about 1" and the yoke goes up to the line seen in the image. I am planning on ordering my driveshaft from Strange Engineering, so I think I'm going to make one more phone call to see what they say.
I hope to get as much information as possible, and I will continue to update this thread for anyone that comes across this issue in the future. Many of the threads out there are not very helpful when it comes to this topic.
Originally Posted by Project GatTagO
Post a picture of the yoke. My main concern is whether or not the yoke is fully supported by the tail shaft bushing.
Andrew
Post 11 shows where I measured with the slip yoke backed out 1”. That mark on the housing is how far the yoke will end up in the housing.
The yoke hitting the end of the shaft, or the inner part of the yoke hitting something inside the box ?
Or your shaft is too short for either of the above to occur ?
The yoke will bottom out on the output shaft and not inside of the box. This transmission is in my ‘72 Nova. I was measuring for a custom driveshaft, so I backed the yoke out an 1”.
Well guys, I’m back after a while with an update. I went with Ryan’s advice and decided not to cut the output shaft. I ordered my new driveshaft from Strange, test fitted the shaft, painted, and it’s now installed in the car. I haven’t driven it yet, as I just finished doing the battery relocation. I have to make the power steering line before I can start the car.
06-22-2019, 03:40 PM
T56 Viper Mainshaft Cutting Question 
