Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

i got this from spicer,

anyone have specs, for how many splines and diameter of shaft and how long?

they can try to match it up. want to go with u bolts, since you can get them.

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G'day Riki, I've decide it's time to get my arse into gear and get to work on this uni joint. I've removed the tailshaft and now realise that there's a good chance of damaging the caps in the tail shaft if I try too hard to force them out. I don't want to do that just in case I have to put reuse this uni joint. I'll hold-off until I can find out whether a replacement is available, even if it means that I have to reuse the bolt-on caps. Tomorrow I'll take the tailshaft to a uni joint supplier to see if they can identify a replacement. If they can then I'll buy one, if not then I'll explore other options such as modifying the tailshaft to accept a more readily available uni joint. I'll keep you posted. John

G'day Riki,

Today I went an saw a company that specialises in tailshaft repairs, modifications and balancing, as well as repair, replacement and servicing of uni joints. They do other things too, especially for balancing, including race cars.

I asked about replacing the rear flange and they said that it is pretty easy to do. How they do it is they have pre-manufactured blank flanges that suit most common models so that future replacement parts are readily available. This and the flange to be replaced, or preferably the pinion spline itself, are sent out for precision machining so that the new flange has a spline cut exactly to size to ensure the match is correct, otherwise there will be serious wear problems. In other words, the size and shape of splines varies between cars. The "ears" on the tailshaft are cut and replaced if necessary to match the new uni joint. Most likely this would be necessary as the cap size in our senior cars is very unusual which is why we're finding it so difficult to find a replacement uni. He measured the cap size as 1.167" and the closest I can get converting that to imperial measurement is 1 11/64" (1.172"), which does seem a strange size.

He checked my tailshaft over and said it is in pretty good shape and only needing servicing, which they could do quite easily as they have all the equipment necessary to do both ends. They would do the job, use some sort of race car grease which would last for ages and balance the tailshaft for around $100. I decided to go with this as I didn't want to risk damaging the caps trying to remove them (I don't have a press) and they are experts at it so the tailshaft should be set up correctly for me to bolt straight back in next weekend. John

I've got an update on the tailshaft servicing job for you all, and the news is bad and bad (at the moment anyway). Firstly, the rear uni joint is stuffed (see pic - those lines are more like grooves) and secondly, finding a replacement seems bloody near impossible, although the fellow doing the job is exploring all of his avenues. He hopes to have part numbers in the next few days to start the search and he's confirmed that cap size is 1 11/64" and cross width, without caps, is 3". If all else fails, we'll be going down the modification path with a new yoke being machined to take a readily available uni joint, together with the tailshaft "ears" being modified accordingly. I'll keep you posted. Cheers, John

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JP,

hear is the rear flange, splines are 1/8 inch, little longer than 1-1/2 inch long, od under 1-9/16ths..shaft.. looks like 1-1/8th for pinion shaft..

have your guy,,match this up..to possibly a ford,,or other make, to use non wing cups...

2-4-1521, is the jr. number,, but what i get out of, 2-4,,is it relates to taper..series 1310,, looks like rear flange, and its close, but a 2-4-64 won't work..

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after searching, fresno drive line, the packard flange has 10, splines,

there are flanges with 10 splines, now need to wait to see what spicers comes up with..

G'day Riki, I've got an interim update for you. My pinion yoke is branded Detroit which I think was/is a Chrysler company and it has 10 straight sided splines. My initial enquiries are suggesting that a 10 spline Chrysler yoke will fit and a #7290 could be the right size (it's the bigger one). The tailshft (driveshaft) will need to be modified to take the new size uni joint, but the new UJ will be greasable and replaceable. Have a look at the attached article, especially where it refers to #7290. Once I get a positive response from my repairer, I should be able to tell you more. Cheers, John

PS, We may also be looking at the suitability of yoke #1350.

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thanks, jp,

if you mean to re size the cup holes on rear of drive shaft, ,not a problem,

G'day Riki, Well, I think we're making progress, on paper at least. I should point out that my diff is a Dana 53 with a 1.25" diameter pinion shaft, like I'm guessing most '56 seniors have. Anyway, our investigations have come up with a pinion yoke that should slide right in and it should allow the existing pinion seal to be retained.

The yoke is a Spicer #3-4-2111-1. It is a 10 spline (square cut), has the correct diameter for the shaft and has a ground hub diameter of 1.552", which is what I measured my yoke at. Also, the depth of the bore is 1.5", the same as mine. It requires a 1350 universal joint which I understand is a heavy duty unit often used for high performance work so it should cope pretty easily behind a heavy car with a big V8. As I've mentioned previously, the final step will require modification of the tailshaft to take the 1350 uni.

These yokes don't appear to be available in Australia, not that I can find out anyway. I have made contact with a US company called Northern Drivetrain and they say they are available, but not kept in stock, and cost US$83.80.

I've copied some of their info and attached it. I hope it's readable but if not, just go to their website and look up the part number. I'll be interested to find out what your views are on this. I'm about to place an order as I've reached the stage where I've given up searching for an original replacement uni. Cheers, JP

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jp,

i have been to there web site,
,,if you have my email, contact jeff hamel,, spicer, ,i will on this end,,

he should have updated numbers, and where to buy it..

packard uses 2-4,, might be junior ,,

should be able to get inside lock cups, then just re size rear shaft yoke..