Propshaft fabrication

[BenzBoy]

Just planning ahead for the eventual engine swap...
Does anyone know how best to go about getting a hybrid propshaft made up, and approximate costs?
Is it possible to join two different propshafts at the UJ without too much bother?
I'd appreciate advice from anyone who has had a propshaft made or created their own!

[racer3]

RECO-PROP 01582412110 are the guys to talk to . I removed the 2 piece prop on my volvo amazon ,and replaced it with a single one ,when I swapped a pinto in it . The prop I made was too small diameter for its length ,or so I found out whilst doing well over the limit on the m11 !. It whiplashed after bending in the middle ,twisted it like a corkscrew !,because the amazon has a natural prop loop (x-member under the front end of prop )I was lucky for it not to drop down and flip the car over .! believe me ,the noise as it thrashed around under the car was unbelievable . My heart was pounding ! Reco made me a complete new balanced prop ,and sent it to me by carrier . I paid about £140 . that was about 4 yrs ago .Hope this helps

[rmad]

JW Engineering - I've not used them before, but they're not far from me and their name crops up in feature-car write ups all the time.

01322 556554 - mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/jwebarnehurst

[BenzBoy]

Thanks for the advice fellas, I'll try the numbers out!

[racer3]

Re :making your own prop. The prop I mentioned in my last reply ,I made by sliding one tube inside the other and making up the space by wrapping a piece of metal round the thinner tube . I t worked ok from a balance point of view with no vibration ,but as I said earlier ,disaster struck!........BTW aprt from all the other probs , you gotta be able to weld really well to make your own prop !!!

[mattblack]

I had a 2-piece prop made for the sceptre, with a manta front half and the original back half. This was longer than the original as the Carlton 'box was quite a bit shorter than the original overdrive 'box, and the new engine was mounted further forward as well. Over a certain length you have to have a 2-piece, all to do with diameter V wall thickness and rotational speed, I belive . It was made by a local (Leicester) company, MJC Engeneering Ltd. 0116 2323262. It cost £112.80 inc VAT, but that was nearly 2 years ago.

[John]

I used to build propshafts (at Dunning and Fairbank Leeds), so know quite a bit about props.

A lot of vehicles use the same UJ so often you can swop flanges around.

Most parts are also available new. So if you are using a Ford box and Ford axle you can get all new bits and specify what tube size you want. We also used to be able to get Japanese bits too.

Let me know your gearbox and axle and I will advise on the best way to go.

John

[racer3]

I found that too! Lots of them are interchangeable .

[BenzBoy]

Thanks for the tips! At the minute it's all thory as I don't have an engine to go in yet , but when I do find a good candidate, I'm wondering whether I should drag the whole engine / box / prop out, or whether to take the engine and mount it to a Type 9 - either way it means a new prop so I suppose it doesn't really matter! In any case I'd think a T9 wouldn't last long behind a Merc V8 / Straight 6!

So, one small question... once I DO have an engine and gearbox in the car, would I need to take the car to the fabricators for measuring, or can I just get the tape measure out?

[John]

When getting a prop made you will supply a length. This will be from the gearbox to axle. If the gearbox has a slide in yoke, like on Fords, you would measure from the tip of the splines that stick out or the oil seal.

At the rear it would be to the flange (assuming one is fitted).

Also you may supply where you want the centre bearing, and max tube diameter possible.

John

[BenzBoy]

Thanks for clearing that up John. I'm trying to get everything planned in my head before starting the project - although things never seem to go to plan half the time!

[rmad]

You might find something in the banner ads at the top of the page...they read to contents of the thread and theme the ads appropriately...there's a London propshaft firm up there now!