5.7 4l60e front driveshaft Oil pan clearance Question.

[Kurtis]

5.7 4l60e front driveshaft Transmission Oil pan clearance Question.

I went in today to have a front 2 cv driveshaft sized for my SOA 5.7 4l60e late 85 fj60 and a 1/2 ton cv will not fit next to the oil pan. Its close, I'd say within a less than a half of an inch and only for about the first 2 inches of the pan. I'm wondering what others have done in this situation. I see two options. Clearance the pan my self or purchase a pan that works.
Does anyone who has been in this situation no if there is a part number for a pan that works.

If not does any one have a picture of how they clearanced the pan? Thanks.

 

[bkfj40]

I know that others have run a special cv joint to clear the pan...I have also seen others trim the pan by taking off the corner. Check in the 40 section...

as for the cv joint, contact Georg on the board, he's a vendor who sells lots of advanced adapter parts...orangefj45 I think is his handle.

 

[Kurtis]

Thanks I'll give him a try. It didn't see like I would need much but since a need a new driveshaft anyway it would be nice if they sold a cv that fit.

 

[Moby]

I've heard, but have no first hand knowledge, that a CV shaft from a mini truck will fit. The ujoints are smaller but reportedly still very strong.

 

[Downey]

Both Downey and AA sell a smaller Spicer u-joint with long travel slip yoke and remachined flange for your transfer-case (I think I have two left in storage)---BUT:
(a) they don't give enough angle for a SOA
(b) FJ60 even worse than FJ40 because transfer-case is closer to front differential.
(c) Tom Woods or other drive shaft companies can supply u-joints with greater angle, but they are too large to clear your tranny oil pan!!
Good luck with your SOA, I really can't offer a remedy!!!

 

[Kurtis]

Anyone know more about the mini driveshaft? Sounds like clearancing the pan might be my best option.

 

[Moby]

There are some trheads in the Hardcore section on mini truck shafts, it's worth searching/asking there.​

 

[Downey]

Mini Truck joints should still be too big. We originall used Toyota Cresida u-joints (small, but took the power). We then switched to Nissan Z car joints (small, but took the power), then we discovered the Spicer part numbers that were the same as Nissan, but 1/2 the price. Although I sell a kit that includes a remachined Landcruiser front output flange and the complete Spicer joint with long travel slip yoke that bolts to it, it simply does not have enough angle for your SOA, it only reaches about a 22 degree maximum angle!!!

 

[kling-on]

will the Camaro pan fix this problem as well ??? or just the diff clearance

 

[Kurtis]

I think I already have the camaro pan. Its only about 2 1/2 - 3inches deep. Is this kit your talking about a cv Jim? If so could it be clearanced by a shop possibly to get some more out of it? My front driveshaft is 3 inches longer than stock so that helps a little. the toyota U joint on there fits wthout a problem. the space is enough with my pan. If I am going to try to clearance the pan I want to start with the smallest possible Cv joint and go from there.

I wonder if anyones ever made a custom cv like those used in rails or buggies. I have no Idea so don't flame me on that one but it seems semi feasable.

 

[Elbert]

Kurtis,

You meed to make sure people understand what year model engine you have? I think the camaro pan solution applies to the 2000 and newer engines like the 5.3 and 6.0 engines. Doublecheck on that before you start shoping for parts.

I may be wrong but you might want to look into that.

 

[Kurtis]

Does anyone know what Proffitts did on there 60 they have shown under their restorations? I saw its a 350 auto and spring over. I did not do a cut and turn on this axle as I was originally going to run a 2 cv high angle shaft and never have to worry about vibrations, but.. this happened. I think I may get a little more creative. I measured my driveline angles as it sits. I have 9 degrees at the pinion and 0 at the t case. 12-13 degrees is what the drive shaft is pointing at. So at the axle this is only a 3-4 degree angle. At this point the driveshaft shop told me it will run with only having very minor vibes if at all above 35-45. At my tcase this is more of a problem as first its off and second its the full 12 degrees at the joint. So what i think I may do is put in a normal high angle 41 degree long travel shaft then lower my front engine mounts until I get about 2-3 degrees up front. This is turn will also lower the over all angle of the driveshaft would should put me in the range of not having vibration problems or very minimal.

I edited this after re checking my measurments. the U joint angles on these stock were a few degrees different it seems. The 9 degree pinion didn't change with the spring over or if it did very very little. The case might have changed slightly but I can't see how it was ever even close to 9 degrees. Why didn't these come with cvs in the first place? Honestly with these measurments if I drop the front mounts an inch my u joint at the axle will probably only be 2-3 degrees which would mean I wouldn't even need a cut and turn to run a single cv driveshaft. The alignment is great. I drive 80 mph all day long sometiems even 85 after photo radar to make up for lost time and get no wandering no death wobble at all. I guess i'm just a little confused at these angles from the factory.
Any input on this idea?

Any input on this idea?

 

[Kurtis]

thanks for the input guys. Are the newer 4l60es different than the older ones? I've got a 94 4l60e out of a firebird so I have the shallower pan as it is and its still tight. I might just have my shaft lengthened and clearanced as I know a few of the guys ran that setup without the additional 3 inches of length or the ability it lower the engine. I was wanting to run the two cvs but if I can avoid vibes without thats what i'm hoping for now that the clearance issue has come up. Now that I have the v8 its hard not to want to drive fast. I'm thinking taking it up to the snow i'm going to want to be able to do 55-60 in 4wd.

 

[kling-on]

I think I already have the camaro pan. .

can you post up some pics

 

[Kurtis]

I'll snap one after I get back from class tonight. I've done some re thinking on this again... I talked to a driveshaft shop again and I think I can make it work. He told me he could take better than an 8th off a 1310, which was close as it sits. If I can work the pan enough this wont be neccassary. If The transmission case needs any off I'm confident I can get a good 1/4 out of it as well remove one pan bolt and replace with two re drilled and tapped off the corners. I don't think this will be needed as it seems that part clears alright. My neighbor is a transmission guy i'm giong to have him bring me a new pan and have him give me the measurments on the valve body then cut it down to the bare minimum build a new corner and weld it up. If this isn't enough I'll have the drive shaft clearanced. Then if the corner of the transmission body rubs its getting the grinder. And the bolt gets in the way its going away and getting replaced.

 

[Kurtis]

Wait... Kling on doesnt your 83 have a cv already.... Does it clear your transmission?

 

[kling-on]

Wait... Kling on doesnt your 83 have a cv already.... Does it clear your transmission?

it did when I droped it off... but didnt when I picked it up so now I have to find a shaft to fit... I also only have a 1/4 in from the front diff and the oil pan .... this is really the clearance I was lookin at with the Camaro pan

 

[PPFJ60]

I went to a Tom Woods 1310 CV drive shaft to get enough clearance.

Call these guys. They are great to talk to and very helpful.

Welcome

 

[Kurtis]

You have a 4l60 or 700r4 PPFJ60? I guess eithers bodies are the same. I had a 1310 I was trying to fit what did you do to make it fit? I hav'ent cut into anything yet i'm gettin a spare pan tonight to rework.

 

[coolotisdog]

You have a 4l60 or 700r4 PPFJ60? I guess eithers bodies are the same. I had a 1310 I was trying to fit what did you do to make it fit? I hav'ent cut into anything yet i'm gettin a spare pan tonight to rework.

No offense but I don't think you're ready