Topic: '65 A code 4sp driveshaft reference

[CharlesTurner]

Dipped a '65 manual trans drive-shaft in evapo-rust  Took it out of the "bath" and found all the original markings.  It's amazing as none were visible before dipping, it was a solid ball of medium brown surface rust.

I am not exactly sure as I did not label it, but this is most likely the original drive-shaft from a '65 San Jose convertible that I'm restoring.  This car was originally equipped with an A code and 4sp toploader trans, regular 8" rear.  The manual trans drive-shaft is different than an automatic or K code that year.  Some may know that these have the inner locks on the u-joints, so it's a unique drive-shaft setup and measures a tad shorter than an automatic one.

The drive-shaft appears to have 2 stripes on the end, I would say a light blue or lilac and a light green.  Has the typical stencil, don’t think I have seen this exact one before though, 19077-3S.  Then there is a large splash of yellow by the weight at the upper end of the shaft and a little splash of yellow on the rear yoke area.  The slip yoke did not have any markings that I could find.

[Rsanter]

Wow, that's amazing

Bob

[rodster]

Wow, that's amazing

Bob

+1

I might just have to pull the driveshaft off of my 65 to see what I find.

[CharlesTurner]

Can be done with a 5 gallon bucket of evapo-rust, just build a wooden frame big enough for the drive-shaft, lay down thick mil plastic and then pour-n-dunk, lol!

[rockhouse66]

Charles - lots of sweet details there.  My 9/65 SJ A Code 4-speed is very similar.  My stencil is the more common -4S though, and your lavender stripe looked pinker on mine.

[rocket289k]

Not completely on topic as we're talking about A code 4sp.  I was able to find the driveshaft markings on my July 65 built Metuchen "A" code automatic.  I was able to see the stencil marking clearly and two stripes (one light green and one a light pink).  I wasn't able to discover markings near the yokes.  The stencil marking is "19078 - 4N".  I'll post a picture of the finished product.

Regards,

Ron

[jwc66k]

Ron,
  That stenciled number is the tube manufacturer's identification, not a Ford part number. Don't feel bad, you're not the first to "find" it.
Jim

[rodster]

A bit hard to see but something hiding under the rust on my 65 A Code, auto, Dearborn car. 

[rocket289k]

Ron,
  That stenciled number is the tube manufacturer's identification, not a Ford part number. Don't feel bad, you're not the first to "find" it.
Jim

Hi Jim - I know that the stencil not a Ford part number and is the tube manufacturer reference #.  I was just noting it for people's reference - I've seen it on countless other driveshafts so I wasn't implying it was a new discovery.  My understanding is that the stencil number is the number that was on the tube stock that 3 driveshafts were cut from. Therefore, about 1 in 3 driveshafts have that number stenciled on them.

I was pleased about uncovering the colored stripes.  The stencil markings were just a bonus.

Regards,

Ron

[rocket289k]

A bit hard to see but something hiding under the rust on my 65 A Code, auto, Dearborn car. 

If you get around to soaking your driveshaft in evaporust like Charles did the colors will pop right out.  PS - I find you'll see the colors better when the part is still wet.  Once the evaporust dries the colors are more difficult to see.  The brown stripes on my GT front springs were especially hard to see when the evaporust dried (but pretty easy to see when the springs were freshly pulled from the evaporust. 

Regards,


Ron

[rocket289k]

Can be done with a 5 gallon bucket of evapo-rust, just build a wooden frame big enough for the drive-shaft, lay down thick mil plastic and then pour-n-dunk, lol!

PS - An old eavestrough works well for this (rear leaf springs too).

Regards,

Ron

[ChrisV289]

Not completely on topic as we're talking about A code 4sp.  I was able to find the driveshaft markings on my July 65 built Metuchen "A" code automatic.  I was able to see the stencil marking clearly and two stripes (one light green and one a light pink).  I wasn't able to discover markings near the yokes.  The stencil marking is "19078 - 4N".  I'll post a picture of the finished product.

Regards,

Ron

Is this color combination consistent on all 65 A Code automatics or is it only based on the assembly plant?

Chris

[J_Speegle]

Is this color combination consistent on all 65 A Code automatics or is it only based on the assembly plant?

Chris

Think drive line markings were consistent across assembly plants though driveline marks can change depending on when in the year they were made.


Charles what was the projected build date of the car this one came out of? 

[CharlesTurner]

April '65.

[J_Speegle]

April '65.

Thank you kind sir