With the engine in place and the dummy gearbox fitted (bare casing, but with a diff installed), I began looking at driveshaft fitment. This one has daunted me for a while, but once I tackled it, it really wasn't that bad. Not sure if I have mentioned this, but I am going for equal length shafts. I reckon this will make SUCH an improvement to the car, the extra work will be worthwhie.
I found the best combination of standard shafts to work with and finished up with a centre shaft EXACTLY the right length, without the need for any alterations. Then I set about measuring up for the length of the outer shafts, which, of course should then be equal length. The donor shafts were hollow and with the RST shafts being solid but of much smaller diameter, I was able to cut and alter the 2 halves so that one slid into the other, making a telescopic assembly.
I could then fit this to the car, get all the suspension sitting where it needs to be, then make the shaft the length it needs to be before tack welding it. Once tacked, I could put the car on the ground and operate the steering and suspension through full range of movement to check the lengths I had set. Of course, the term equal length doesn't always work out perfectly on an application like this, but I am proud to say that both my shafts are EXACTLY the same length and appear to be just right.
Here is the cut/shut shaft.......
Reckon it will handle 300+bhp?
No? Me either. :lol:
Seriously for a minute, you should have seen Stuart's face when I showed him that shaft and asked for his thoughts on the strength of my weld and the straightness of the shaft. One of those moments I wished I could bottle. He really did think I was going to actually run those shafts.
So, off to Dave Mac went the templated shaft to be remade from something a little more up to the job. I now have the finished shafts. The bill did make my arse twitch for 2 very short shafts, but I know they will be good.
In the meantime, I have cleaned and painted the rest of the parts to make up the shafts, I just need to sort out the outer ends, which are currently still fitted to the car. Then I can assemble the shafts fully, ready for fitting.
Thats all for now, but there should be significant progress in the next couple of weeks. Watch this space.
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