Topic: 65 Drive Shaft Finishing

[Brian Conway]

I just cleaned up my drive shaft back to natural.  It has a dull silver phosphate sort of color and feel.  Probably because 20 years ago I had a new one built using the original ends and yoke.  My original May/65 San Jose shaft was so beat up the shop couldn't balance it.  What sort of finish would be suggested for this drive shaft ?  The car is a driver but I would like to at least make an attempt to restore.  Thanks for the suggestions.  Brian

[J_Speegle]

Did you see the article in the Library about restoring drivelines?

To help the title is Driveline- Restoring

7th item from the top (first section) of the ConcoursMustang.com Official 65 Mustang Article List 

Allot of members have found it useful. Challenge will be getting weights to look like factor ones as well as the U joints

[Brian Conway]

Thank you Jeff.  Read the article you referenced and another by Turner March 25, 2014.  Both explain clearly two methods to use.  My question is about the starting point.  My drive shaft tube seems to have a phosphate finish.  Both examples referenced seem to be steel ? http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=8245.msg47727#msg47727    Brian

[J_Speegle]

Charles thread was more about using Evapo rust to discover factory markings and removing surface rust than restoring. Don't believe the driveline was used as it was after the last picture on his restored car


Originally tubes were formed from sheet steel and welded the length to form the tub. Lengths of tubing were supplied to the plant that made drivelines and typically cut each tube into three sections to make three drivelines. Yokes were welded to the ends of correct dia tubing based on the type of driveline needed (this is for solid one piece drivelines) and they went from there

Never seen an original phosphated

So as a starting point. If yours is not pitted or dented and has the right yokes and weights get to sanding and you'll get down to fresh steel and go from there. Really doesn't take that long on a decent driveline. Pitted driveline from most of the rest of the world ..... well that starts you down another path of choices

[Brian Conway]

Thank you for the reply and suggestion.  Brian