Anyone know what length the drive shaft is supposed to be on a 1978 caprice sedan? I have the rear end from the 78 fitted in my 1980 but the drive shaft is too long, 58.70 inchs or there abouts from center of on yoke to the other! What is the length?

Also the rear end from the 78 caprice is what looks like a buick/olds style? Was this standard fitment as the old guy that had the car says its original?The shafts bolt in with pressed on bearings. 10 bold cover but with cutouts on each side at 9 and 3 oclock?

Help my out guys!

 

Does the 1980 drive shaft fit the trany correctly ?

Drive shaft shops can cut a drive shaft to custom length , weld it back together and re-balance them .

Do not know about the rear end . Does it bolt up and fit ? If it does , I would not worry about , as long as it does not whine or clunk . I would drain it and re-fill it with new , good quality oil .

While you are at it , check the U-Joints and replace as necessary .

God bless
Wyr

 

Hi, thanks i got the shaft cut down in the end. Found the correct length on the GM heritage center web site 57.65" from 58.63, so in a nut shell when going from 7.5" rear to 8.5" you shorten the drive shaft .98 inch! Boom

Checked all my joints and filled the rear with new oil and posi additive, laid a pair of hockey sticks on the workshop floor so shes all good for the 355 small block now!

Thanks, Max