Drive Shaft Clearance

[legend42]

Forward drive Shaft knuckle is hitting 4" round chassis cross member. Assuming I need to shim the transmission mount. What is best to use for that? Thanks.

[boat737]

What set up do you have? 3 link? IRS? Trans?

For my 427w/TKO600 I ended up with 7/8" thick shim. Made my own. 3/4" wasn't quite enough, 1" was a tad too much.

The critical item is the drive shaft/pinion angle. Clearance doesn't matter (especially on IRS), but the pinion angle is important. Lot's of threads on the forum on that.

I see that some use the spacers between the 'A' frame and the trans mount, and others (myself included) use a spacer between the trans mount and the transmission. It probably doesn't really matter. I think the spot I chose looks better.

[legend42]

What set up do you have? 3 link? IRS? Trans?

For my 427w/TKO600 I ended up with 7/8" thick shim. Made my own. 3/4" wasn't quite enough, 1" was a tad too much. The critical item is the drive shaft/pinion angle. Lot's of threads on the forum on that.

I have a TKO 600 with IRS. Is there a minimum clearance measurement to try and get while setting the pinion angle?

[edwardb]

I have a TKO 600 with IRS. Is there a minimum clearance measurement to try and get while setting the pinion angle?

It's not about clearance. It's all about pinion angle. That's what you measure. Guaranteed with a spacer that provides the proper pinion angle you will have adequate clearance all around. My Coyote/TKO/IRS Roadster build has a 3/4" spacer and the pinion angle is just right.

[legend42]

It's not about clearance. It's all about pinion angle. That's what you measure. Guaranteed with a spacer that provides the proper pinion angle you will have adequate clearance all around. My Coyote/TKO/IRS Roadster build has a 3/4" spacer and the pinion angle is just right.

Thanks Paul. Did you machine your own spacer or find something “off the shelf”?

[edwardb]

Thanks Paul. Did you machine your own spacer or find something “off the shelf”?

For my Mk4 builds, fabricated it myself but machining would be using the term loosely. I used an $8 dollar piece of 1-1/4 x 3/4 x 12 inch chunk of 6061 from McMaster. Cut to length with a bandsaw, rounded the ends with a disk sander, and drilled two 1/2-inch holes on 5-9/16 centers. A little paint (optional) and it’s ready to install. Mike Forte sells precut spacers that are 3/8-inch thick and can be stacked as needed. Some use stacked washers. But I prefer an actual spacer.

https://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%2020th%20Anniversary%20Mark%204%20R oadster/Coyote%20Engine/IMG_4330_zpsg98ezdfs.jpg (https://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%2020th%20Anniversary%20Mark%204%20R oadster/Coyote%20Engine/IMG_4330_zpsg98ezdfs.jpg.html)

[GTBradley]

I’ll second what Paul said. It’s one of the easiest issues to overcome with a Coyote, TKO and IRS setup. I took Paul’s suggestion and just cut ¼” aluminum stock to length (three pieces), drilled the holes and put them in place. Done.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=108403&d=1559830686

[Bobby Doug]

I’ll second what Paul said. It’s one of the easiest issues to overcome with a Coyote, TKO and IRS setup. I took Paul’s suggestion and just cut ¼” aluminum stock to length (three pieces), drilled the holes and put them in place. Done.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=108403&d=1559830686

I did the same using 1/4” thick aluminum. Just remember to buy longer bolts.

[RBachman]

Mike Forte' sells a set of of spacers for the TKO. I had to lift mine a good bit...close to an inch I think

[Mark Reynolds]

Stacking 1/2" ID washers is all that is needed and allows you to make easy changes to get your pinion angle set. Think of them as shims.

[jiriza84641]

I Had to use 4 of Forte’s spacers to get the drive shaft as straight as possible to the IRS.