Cut down drive shaft

[Reno Speedster]

I am working on my speedster. I have a good Muncie transmission and I am using some rear lowering brackets that relocate the rear axle. This means that I need a custom length drive shaft. I have seen custom driveshafts offered for the warford. I don’t have the tools to properly cut my shaft down. I know that new driveshafts are available for a pretty reasonable price. Does anyone know who makes them and if it’s possible to get a custom length made? Failing that, has anyone had one cut down and if yes by who? Is this a job that a driveshaft shop can do?

[DanTreace]

Would think a good machine shop could do that task for you, take your old shaft in for sample or have them modify (the old or a new shaft), if you know the overall length needed.

New stock size drive shafts and 'short length' for the KC Warford are avail. from Birdhaven, Colfax IA, 800-337-6977, used one of their short lengths for doing a rear end for a buddy's '26 T where he was installing a new KC Warford. He had already sent his torque tube out to Lanye Machine, Kansas City, MO and they cut and welded it so all I needed was the short driveshaft to build his rear axle, he added the shortened radius rods himself.

That new short shaft fit fine, all left to done after assembly in the torque with a modern pinion bearing, was to drill the hole in that plain square end for the U-joint rivet. The new short length was cut away at that end, to the short length, and the shaft was milled on four sides to make the square U-joint end. After pre assemble to locate the U-joint hole, my bench drill had no difficulty making that thru hole.

[Reno Speedster]

Thanks. I am getting ready to cut down my torque tube. Once I get that done, I will know how long I need the shaft. , I will check with Birdhaven once I know what I need. if they can’t make me one, I will check with shops here. I live in Anchorage and don’t have a shop that I normally use.

[speedytinc]

Thanks. I am getting ready to cut down my torque tube. Once I get that done, I will know how long I need the shaft. , I will check with Birdhaven once I know what I need. if they can’t make me one, I will check with shops here. I live in Anchorage and don’t have a shop that I normally use.

The way to weld the tube back together, is to assemble the D/S & bolt the spool on before welding back together. This will insure the PERFECT alignment necessary. I have seen a few "professional" conversion jobs where when assembled binded from misalignment. One was off so far as to eventually shear the drive shaft.

Shortening the D/S & re machining the square end is a high school level machine shop project.
Any local shop should be able to do it. Cutting down the other end takes a bit more precision & operations.
A dimensioned drawing was recently posted.

"all left to done after assembly in the torque.... was to drill the hole in that plain square end for the U-joint rivet. After pre assemble to locate the U-joint hole, my bench drill had no difficulty making that thru hole."

[Dan McEachern]

I would imagine that Ed Katzorke in Carson City could take care of that for you. He usually has an ad in the Vintage Ford.

[Craig Leach]

My nephew has done a couple of these, said that machining a new shaft is less of a issue than a old one. I have seen alot of tubes shortened by just cutting & welding and some that are not real straight. This is how he does it.

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Craig.

[Reno Speedster]

I have a good size lathe so I can turn down the flange and tube as shown above. I don’t have a mill in the shop, I use a friends but I have to drive an hour. I could do the work on the shaft but if I can have it done for a reasonable price, I would do it.

I used to live in Reno and am a past president of the Silver State Model T Club. Ed Katzorke built the engine in my car. I am sure he could do the work if it comes to that.

[Mark Gregush]

The ones I have worked with, the torque tube was not real round to start with. My OP; They were more concerned with the ends lining up, not what was going on in between.