I need to clean up and re-finish my driveshaft before I reinstall it as part of my ongoing restoration. I want to be correct with the color and finish. I realize it is to be a natural unfinished color, but I’m trying to find out what the color stripes are supposed to be. After some cleaning with steel wool and WD40 I can see the 3 stripes, but they are so faded I can’t make our the colors. I have not been able to find my car’s build sheet. So can any one here give me some advice as to the proper color paint stripes or and other daubes?
I’ve tried a site search here with no luck. WCCC has a picture of a used one on their site with colors of Red, Yel, Grn. But its only identified as being for a small block, but I’m not sure if that is specific enough.
I’ve also considered having Jack at DeadNutsOn make me a reproduction, but he can only make me a one piece, and of course Cougars use a two piece. I’m concerned about using my 50 yr old drive shaft that has 120k miles on it, that’s some pretty old rubber. Any thoughts?
I would not be afraid to use my original drive shaft. Just put new universal joints in it and go.
I dont know about the stripes, someone will know.
I had my last drive shaft done at Dead Nuts On. He knows the codes of most of the cars since he does them all the time. I would go with him. I’m not sure what you mean about them only being able to do one piece.
I’ve also considered having Jack at DeadNutsOn make me a reproduction, but he can only make me a one piece, and of course Cougars use a two piece. I’m concerned about using my 50 yr old drive shaft that has 120k miles on it, that’s some pretty old rubber. Any thoughts?
All Cougar driveshaft’s are one piece. If you have a two piece with rubber isolator it’s not the original driveshaft. Your engine and transmission combination will determine how many and what stripe color is on the driveshaft. I don’t have documentation on a 68 J code C4 drivshaft, but someone on here should have it.
BossElim69: Its my understanding the most Cougars (at least 68’s) had 2 piece driveshafts. Meaning a tube within a tube with rubber in-between. See linked picture. I’m the second owner of this car (since 1983) and have all records since it was new as the original owner was family. This driveshaft is original to the car. Jack at DeadNuts also believes that Cougars got the 2 piece, he is the one that brought this to my attention.
ccarney69: Thanks for the link, that was a nice original car Brian Aust had, some nice reference pictures. I’m not sure I’d want to use those colors (Pink/Pink/Blue) as the drive shaft colors are tied to the exact drive train combo I believe, that car is close, but its a F-Code 302.
I appreciate the comments, please keep them coming.
I have seen both types of driveshafts, rubber isolated and not. Pretty sure they all have been originals but cannot prove it. In spite of this, I do not agree with the notion that the isolated type is not original.
I personally will not run a two-piece. Because, like a crankshaft damper, I figure the bonds can break, especially on something that handles all the drivetrain power/torque.
BossElim69: Its my understanding the most Cougars (at least 68’s) had 2 piece driveshafts. Meaning a tube within a tube with rubber in-between. See linked picture. I’m the second owner of this car (since 1983) and have all records since it was new as the original owner was family. This driveshaft is original to the car. Jack at DeadNuts also believes that Cougars got the 2 piece, he is the one that brought this to my attention.
That’s most likely correct. I haven’t messed with a 68 stock small block Cougar in a long time.
As for the stripe colors, they should be on your build sheet if you have it. If you dont’ have it… it’s time to look for it under/behind the seats, and carpet. Like a treasure hunt
I’d be interested to know the stripe colors as well for a '68 J code with C-4 automatic and a '68 C code with C-4 automatic, as well.
As far as build sheets go…it looks like that car has black/gold CA plates, which means it very likely is a San Jose built car. The San Jose plant did not make a habit of “stashing” build sheets, so you’d be VERY lucky to find one. I’ve had/known at least 10 San Jose built cars, and not one of them had a build sheet. sigh
The master parts catalog doesn’t have the paint codes, but describes the 1968 with 289 or 302, C4 or manual as getting c7wy-4602-E “tube in tube drive thru rubber” driveshaft. (1975 edition of MPC).
MrEos: thanks for the info. That picture on the WCCC site was the one I was referring to. I just was not sure if it was correct for all small block cars. I thought the color codes on the driveshaft could differ by engine and trans or even axle.
Dennis: Even though my car was originally sold in Pasadena CA and ordered through the LA DSO, my car was built in Dearborn. So there is hope that I may find a build sheet some day, but I’ve not come across it yet.
I’d like to keep the OEM 2-piece driveshaft so I’m likely going to restore mine.
Well I think SCode may have hit the nail on the head, I cleaned up my drive shaft up some and the lines started to reveal, they are very faded but they look like they could very well be Light Blue-Pink-Pink with a Red stripe near the axle (or maybe the light blue is white), though it appear mine are in a reverse order. Look at this picture. What do you think?
I’ll try to get a look at my 68 J code convertible conversion and see if the stripe markings are visible. It’s a San Jose (8R91) build. Everything under the front end was real crusty and dirty but I could see the markings on my front springs so maybe there is luck for the drive shaft.
Steven
Well I looked yesterday evening and no markings are visible on my driveshaft. However it is a two piece unit just like what is shown in the other posts.
Steven
Just cleaning up the DS from my 68 San Jose built (late 1967 build date) J Code 4-speed. All original down to the factory exhaust and it is a single piece DS. Only found red and yellow stripes so far but they are spaced a bit further apart than in the WCCC pic.
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