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View Full Version : I need an El Camino driveshaft in DFW



derekf
09-05-2005, 01:40 PM
(I also posted this over at Team Chevelle so my apologies to those who read it there as well.)

Yes, this is probably a post better suited to some sort of classifieds - but I don't need it to be a brand new shiny carbon fiber shaft. I don't even need to own it, I just need to borrow it for about 10 minutes.

I'm starting an LS1 conversion on my El Camino. I figured I'd start with a dyno run of the 396 as a before. Well, during the dyno run my front u-joint failed with disastrous results (could have been worse, could have been on the road).

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2005/09/08240502-1.jpg

The tow truck that brought the car home, well, he sucked at driving. He accomplished getting the car into the grass next to my driveway but also accomplished leaking hydraulic fluid all over the neighbor's grass and driveway and leaving huge ruts in his side yard so if I don't want to anger the neighbor I really need to not bring another tow truck around for a while.

I need to get the car into the garage so I can start tearing it down. My driveway has a healthy slope so I can't really push it up. It's also got one of those giant driveway gates so I can't really use another car to push it around.

Anyone in the DFW area got a driveshaft that fits a 69 Elky with a short tail TH350? Best option would be to borrow it just long enough to get the car into the garage but I'm not completely opposed to buying one. I don't need anything spiffy; doesn't even need to have great u-joints so long as it can hold up to the immense strain of getting the car up the drive. Once the engine swap is done I'm sure I'll need a different length driveshaft anyway so I'd prefer to go cheap here.

The front u-joint cups on the existing shaft were destroyed when it was spinning around so I don't think having my existing shaft repaired will be all that cheap.

Renting a driveshaft would be fine as well; I've got cash and I've got beer. Anyone able to help? Pretty sure that 68-72 is the same length and others may be as well.

TUBED
09-05-2005, 03:33 PM
DEREKF,
I have one you can have out of a 69 El Camino with a 350 Turbo. It's used from a burnt ride but it should be fine it has both universals with the yoke. Send or PM your shipping address and I'll get you a shipping quote. Just let me know

Thanks,
Gerald

ScotI
09-05-2005, 06:58 PM
I don't have a chevelle driveshaft but I do live close enough to you that I could help get it pushed around. I might even have an old truck driveshaft (swb, short-tail t350). Do you know what length would work & I'll check.

derekf
09-06-2005, 03:30 AM
I think I've got a line on the right driveshaft local already. I tried to measure what I have but it's a little difficult as the shaft is bent. I'm guessing from measuring both ways that the proper length is roughly 58 3/4"? I'll pipe up if the other doesn't work out.

Thanks, y'all.

ScotI
09-07-2005, 12:22 PM
If you can't locate one, I have a buddy that has his d.s. out of a 79 malibu. It might get the job done.

I'll PM my number so you can call if you need.

derekf
09-07-2005, 01:46 PM
I've got a good line on one locally. I appreciate all of you; I'll pipe up if it doesn't work out (or if it does, for that matter).

derekf
09-11-2005, 06:34 PM
I got the driveshaft (thanks Richard!).

Unfortunately, it looks like I broke the bellhousing as part of the failure.. so I'm back to pushing the car around. Found that the beater Saturn can push the car though, so long as I don't mind destroying the clutch (didn't have much of a choice when the Camino was blocking the alley). I'll see if I can't find someone with an auto tranny that can push it next time.