The Ford Barn

qmdv · 09-21-2015, 12:53 PM

I have a shortened rear end for my 32 project. The later rear ends had a bearing at the mid point along with zerc and seal. This rear end torque tube has been shortened is such a way that the front bearing and mid bearing are about 15 inches apart.

Should I just forget the mid bearing and seal?

Tim

scooder · 09-21-2015, 01:03 PM

When you say "shortened rear end" I'm assuming it's just a shortened torque tube we're talking about yes?
15" gap between the front and center bearing, I'd fit the center bearing. If you don't, the drive shaft is a lot more likely to whip.
Play it safe, fit the center bearing.
Martin.

bobH · 09-21-2015, 01:31 PM

You didn't ask, but if it were me, I'd replace the tt and d/s with earlier parts, or fabricated parts. I never did like the 'skinny' d/s or center bearing.
(And, yes, I do have one car, 47, that uses those parts. I just prefer what's in my 34.)
For your case, is it possible to remove the center (now non-center) bearing, and install a fabricated tube-type d/s? This could be made from a 34 d/s, or fabricated. There used to be a 'kit' available for this. I'm unsure if it's still for sale?

jimTN · 09-21-2015, 04:33 PM

If the shaft is true, no problem. Somewhere around 38 to 40 or 41 a one piece solid drive shaft was used. I have shortened several and never had a problem.

rotorwrench · 09-21-2015, 05:32 PM

The solid shaft needs the damper bearing and they are available. To go without the damper bearing, a person can either use the older tube shaft (if it is the type that will fit) or carefully remove the front splined section from one of the large tube shafts and weld it up to a straight tube shaft.

Dick Spadaro (God Rest Him) used to have the tube shaft kits made up. I imagine he found a machine shop to fabricate the front splined section then all that was needed was a length of proper tube and a ten spline adapter modified to weld on the back. A person should have a drive shaft shop weld it up & check the balance to insure a good running part.

rich b · 09-21-2015, 07:42 PM

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We usually shorten the rear of both the torque tube and driveshaft which results in a shorter distance after the bearing, does not seem to matter, the shaft is still supported.

Sounds like someone shortened your torque tube near the front, how did they shorten the driveshaft? if they cut and re-splined the front end, the bearing should still ride in the same area and support the shaft. I'd be sure use it.

No matter which end was shortened, the shaft would still be supported with-in the originally engineered parameters; only one side is shorter.

Ralph Moore · 09-21-2015, 10:35 PM

When I shortened mine I took out the 15 or so inches that included the bearing. Then went with the tube type driveshaft mentioned. Got mine new from speedway, but a 34 shaft could be converted.

Andy · 09-21-2015, 10:45 PM

A model A shaft can be used as well.

Mart · 09-22-2015, 03:26 AM

I've used the 32 "B" type shafts. Cut the end off, weld in a 6 spline coupler with a short turned up adaptor piece. If a 10 spline adaptor is available you wouldn't probably need the extra piece.

Mart.

09-21-2015, 12:53 PM	#1
qmdv Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Payette, ID Posts: 949	Shortened rear end for 32 I have a shortened rear end for my 32 project. The later rear ends had a bearing at the mid point along with zerc and seal. This rear end torque tube has been shortened is such a way that the front bearing and mid bearing are about 15 inches apart. Should I just forget the mid bearing and seal? Tim

09-21-2015, 01:03 PM	#2
scooder Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,597	Re: Shortened rear end for 32 When you say "shortened rear end" I'm assuming it's just a shortened torque tube we're talking about yes? 15" gap between the front and center bearing, I'd fit the center bearing. If you don't, the drive shaft is a lot more likely to whip. Play it safe, fit the center bearing. Martin.

09-21-2015, 01:31 PM	#3
bobH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: so cal, placerville, vegas Posts: 1,436	Re: Shortened rear end for 32 You didn't ask, but if it were me, I'd replace the tt and d/s with earlier parts, or fabricated parts. I never did like the 'skinny' d/s or center bearing. (And, yes, I do have one car, 47, that uses those parts. I just prefer what's in my 34.) For your case, is it possible to remove the center (now non-center) bearing, and install a fabricated tube-type d/s? This could be made from a 34 d/s, or fabricated. There used to be a 'kit' available for this. I'm unsure if it's still for sale?

09-21-2015, 04:33 PM	#4
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,645	Re: Shortened rear end for 32 If the shaft is true, no problem. Somewhere around 38 to 40 or 41 a one piece solid drive shaft was used. I have shortened several and never had a problem.

09-21-2015, 05:32 PM	#5
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 18,006	Re: Shortened rear end for 32 The solid shaft needs the damper bearing and they are available. To go without the damper bearing, a person can either use the older tube shaft (if it is the type that will fit) or carefully remove the front splined section from one of the large tube shafts and weld it up to a straight tube shaft. Dick Spadaro (God Rest Him) used to have the tube shaft kits made up. I imagine he found a machine shop to fabricate the front splined section then all that was needed was a length of proper tube and a ten spline adapter modified to weld on the back. A person should have a drive shaft shop weld it up & check the balance to insure a good running part.

09-21-2015, 07:42 PM	#6
rich b Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,156	Re: Shortened rear end for 32 Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) We usually shorten the rear of both the torque tube and driveshaft which results in a shorter distance after the bearing, does not seem to matter, the shaft is still supported. Sounds like someone shortened your torque tube near the front, how did they shorten the driveshaft? if they cut and re-splined the front end, the bearing should still ride in the same area and support the shaft. I'd be sure use it. No matter which end was shortened, the shaft would still be supported with-in the originally engineered parameters; only one side is shorter.

09-21-2015, 10:35 PM	#7
Ralph Moore Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 1,470	Re: Shortened rear end for 32 When I shortened mine I took out the 15 or so inches that included the bearing. Then went with the tube type driveshaft mentioned. Got mine new from speedway, but a 34 shaft could be converted.

09-21-2015, 10:45 PM	#8
Andy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kerrville, Tx Posts: 2,917	Re: Shortened rear end for 32 A model A shaft can be used as well.

09-22-2015, 03:26 AM	#9
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 9,239	Re: Shortened rear end for 32 I've used the 32 "B" type shafts. Cut the end off, weld in a 6 spline coupler with a short turned up adaptor piece. If a 10 spline adaptor is available you wouldn't probably need the extra piece. Mart.