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  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

How much will a stock driveshaft handle?

  • Thread starter Thread starter pdw5000
  • Start date Start date Jul 9, 2008
P

pdw5000

New Member
May 25, 2008
37
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0
Jul 9, 2008
#1
  • Jul 9, 2008
  • #1
I have a 68 mustang coupe with a stock driveshaft and I was wondering what would be the torque limit for that shaft.

I am running a 408W stroker with a C4 and a 9" with 4.11 gears. I also run MT ET Streets. I would estimate the torque well above 500 ft/lbs currently.
 

rbohm

Founding Member
Apr 12, 2002
6,698
550
204
tucson,az
Jul 9, 2008
#2
  • Jul 9, 2008
  • #2
the stock driver shaft will handle the power, but the stock U joints are suspect. also the stock drive shaft is rather heavy, and will have some balance issues at higher rpms. over all the best thing you can do is order up a new shaft with larger U joints from a place like inland driveline.
 

SadbutTrue

Founding Member
May 1, 2002
2,390
4
49
Granada Hills, California
Jul 9, 2008
#3
  • Jul 9, 2008
  • #3
Wouldn't worry about the driveshaft itself.

Following what the other poster said, you might look at aluminum Aerostar (i think thats what some people here used) driveshafts. They can be found cheap and are both strong enough for your app and lighter than stock driveshafts.
 
1

10secgoal

Active Member
Dec 1, 2003
2,801
3
49
San Diego
Jul 9, 2008
#4
  • Jul 9, 2008
  • #4
NOOOO, ditch it.9.0-1 302, AFR 185's, and 125 broke it on the dyno. Not even from shocking it at the track. On the dyno at about 125. Twisted it into two. The thing had cardboard inside, and was extremely thin. Took out a lot of good parts when it went.
 
D

D.Hearne

New Member
Sep 29, 2000
11,730
6
0
south louisiana
Jul 9, 2008
#5
  • Jul 9, 2008
  • #5
The guy who bought my old 427 Stang (67 fb) managed to break the Toploader 4 speed behind it, plus the 9 inch rear (28 spline with 2.50's) The driveshaft came thru unscathed. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
 
1

10secgoal

Active Member
Dec 1, 2003
2,801
3
49
San Diego
Jul 9, 2008
#6
  • Jul 9, 2008
  • #6
I generally agree with that, and probably even for this scenario if it hadn't happened to me.It took out my entire exhaust,cracked my bell housing, stall touched the back of my block and tore out two studs, broke the tranny pump and tail shaft. I was able to fix everything but the converter and it still cost me 750 to fix it, not including my exhaust.
 
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