Topic: 1964.5 - F code Automatic Driveshaft stripe locations

[jackhodges]

Does anyone know the drive shaft stripe colors and locations for an early 1964.5 F code Dearborn convertible, 260 V8 / C4 auto with factory air? VIN 5F08F151954

I actually dismantled and carefully cleaned the drive shaft today (no evaporust). I found evidence of three (3) ) stripes but, no colors were revealed. I was able to measure where the lines were and this is what I found, measuring from the rear of the shaft from centerline of the U joint:

1st stripe; 14 3/8" to the center of a 3/4" wide stripe.
2nd stripe; 30" to the center of a 1/2" wide stripe.
3rd stripe; 33" to the center of a 5/8" wide stripe.
These are fairly accurate in distance from the U joint but, the width is approximate. The colors were non-existant. I am positive that drive shaft is original to the car and it is a numbers matching car.

I just wanted to post the findings in hopes that it may help someone else. I am still trying to figure out what colors the stripes were.

[RoyceP]

There should be a fourth stripe near one end denoting which is the front. That fourth stripe was a pale cream color/ pale yellow perhaps.

[J_Speegle]

Thanks for posting. Hopefully it will help others. Have about one hundred 64-5 driveline documented and they are very inconsistent as if they changed the patterns and colors every few months on some. Have not seen the consistent use of a single forward stripe on the ones I've seen and have pictures of for 64-66 and they range from two stripes to fiver currently again depending on when the car was built and the application. Like yours the colors are not always visible or clearly identifiable

I hesitate to offer some possible colors unless I find another that matches options and is really close to your car build period not a month or so away.

On later years its not unusual to find the color codes in reverse order. Pretty sure the guy marking them was not the employee at the shop with the most experience or the highest paid

[jackhodges]

So I cleaned the drive shaft yesterday and you can see where the original stripes were,  and I don't see where a fourth stripe might have been. Like I said, I carefully cleaned it and I was looking for the stripes while doing that and couldn't make out any colors. I could tell there were stripes there as I was cleaning though.

[jackhodges]

BTW. This is a convertible with standard interior. I don't think I mentioned that.

[RoyceP]

Looks like the ID of your shaft had only two stripes with the third locating the forward end. The master parts catalog should provide the colors, as would a build sheet from a similar car. I think a coupe would have used the same driveshaft if the engine / transmission combination were the same from the same period of time.

So I cleaned the drive shaft yesterday and you can see where the original stripes were,  and I don't see where a fourth stripe might have been. Like I said, I carefully cleaned it and I was looking for the stripes while doing that and couldn't make out any colors. I could tell there were stripes there as I was cleaning though.

[J_Speegle]

Looks like the ID of your shaft had only two stripes with the third locating the forward end. The master parts catalog should provide the colors, as would a build sheet from a similar car. I think a coupe would have used the same driveshaft if the engine / transmission combination were the same from the same period of time.

Prior to 68 buildsheets didn't include driveline stripe or any other identification other than a single letter code to identify the bin that particular one was stored/located in

[jackhodges]

I'm still a long way off from putting it back in the car so, maybe I'll just watch the post and hope someone reads this post, has a similar build and knows the stripe colors. I'll be watching and researching in the meantime. I will post any findings here, hopefully soon.

[jackhodges]

Someone said a build date might be helpful in finding someone with a Dearborn car built in the same month. The stripes should be the same. My build date was 29F (June 29).