Mike Brichta Posted March 14, 2021 Share Posted March 14, 2021 I think that I found a big block intermediate steering shaft but I'm not sure. Can someone verify that for me? Also, is it for a Monte of Chevelle/El Camino? Thanks!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted March 14, 2021 Share Posted March 14, 2021 Looks like it. I just wanna say thanks.My shaft was installed on the car. But I took it off just for you and broke it down (what a pain in the ars). I hope you’re happy. PS I found the boot broken so it needed to be replaced. I didn’t catch it when I cleaned it all up. So now really thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Brichta Posted March 14, 2021 Author Share Posted March 14, 2021 Hey Dennis, So I guess you are saying that I did you a favor, right? Haha. So the shaft that I have is for a Monte? And not a Chevelle/El Camino? Thanks!! Mike 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Brichta Posted March 14, 2021 Author Share Posted March 14, 2021 I just read that you can take a Monte shaft and convert it into a Chevelle shaft by collapsing it to about 19 1/16" total length. Has anyone ever done this? The posting said that the (2) dimples in the shaft are filled with plastic to absorb play/vibration and once heated the shaft can be collapsed. Thanks!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted March 14, 2021 Share Posted March 14, 2021 3 minutes ago, Mike Brichta said: I just read that you can take a Monte shaft and convert it into a Chevelle shaft by collapsing it to about 19 1/16" total length. Has anyone ever done this? The posting said that the (2) dimples in the shaft are filled with plastic to absorb play/vibration and once heated the shaft can be collapsed. Thanks!! Mike Never heard of it but it makes sense. You can actually split the shaft there to replace the boot. Gm could use all the same parts and just change the length. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted March 14, 2021 Share Posted March 14, 2021 54 minutes ago, Mike Brichta said: Hey Dennis, So I guess you are saying that I did you a favor, right? Haha. So the shaft that I have is for a Monte? And not a Chevelle/El Camino? Thanks!! Mike Yes you did actually. I said thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Brichta Posted March 14, 2021 Author Share Posted March 14, 2021 Hey Dennis, Let me know where you get the replacement boot. Obviously I need one also. Thanks!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted March 14, 2021 Share Posted March 14, 2021 32 minutes ago, Mike Brichta said: Hey Dennis, Let me know where you get the replacement boot. Obviously I need one also. Thanks!! Mike Goggle 71 Monte Carlo steering shaft boot. One of the first things that pop up is everything you need but the pin for like 15 bucks. I have not yet found the pin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted March 14, 2021 Share Posted March 14, 2021 Back up the train on that last reply. I was going to order one just for the boot but if you get into the Q&A is says it’s only for a Jeep. May work but I’m not going to chance it. Inline tube sells the boot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Brichta Posted March 14, 2021 Author Share Posted March 14, 2021 Excellent! Thanks for letting me know. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Bell Posted March 14, 2021 Share Posted March 14, 2021 Yes, these shafts do "collapse". They're designed to in case of a frontal accident so the steering wheel doesn't knock your block off (like Corvairs did). They're filled with a plastic like what's used in driveshaft U-joints without snap rings. I suppose if you heat them just enough, a shorter Chevelle shaft can be made longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted March 14, 2021 Share Posted March 14, 2021 33 minutes ago, Mike Brichta said: Excellent! Thanks for letting me know. Mike I just ordered one from the parts place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy's Auto Posted March 15, 2021 Share Posted March 15, 2021 Never got actual measurements, but heres an original BB Monte versus an NPD reman for a Chevelle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted March 15, 2021 Share Posted March 15, 2021 Wow that’s a big difference. I don’t know if the Monte one wool collapse that far? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotinrob Posted March 15, 2021 Share Posted March 15, 2021 FYI from the parts manual Group 6.524 They were inexpensive by todays standards rotin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Brichta Posted March 15, 2021 Author Share Posted March 15, 2021 I looked at both a Monte and Chevelle shaft. The Chevelle one is about 2-3" shorter. I'm going to pull both of them apart and get the "exact" lengths of both. I also checked out the inside of the shaft and you can definitely just push or pull them to whatever length you want. The Chevelle one is just pushed in further then the Monte one, which makes sense to me. Thanks!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy's Auto Posted March 16, 2021 Share Posted March 16, 2021 On 3/15/2021 at 4:25 PM, Mike Brichta said: I looked at both a Monte and Chevelle shaft. The Chevelle one is about 2-3" shorter. I'm going to pull both of them apart and get the "exact" lengths of both. I also checked out the inside of the shaft and you can definitely just push or pull them to whatever length you want. The Chevelle one is just pushed in further then the Monte one, which makes sense to me. Thanks!! Mike Fun fact, 70-72 455 powered Buick A bodies also had the two piece shaft, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Brichta Posted March 17, 2021 Author Share Posted March 17, 2021 Ok. I just wanted to finish off this discussion in case the info that I discovered can be used by someone else on the site. The length of the intermediate shafts (shaft only, no flange attached) is: Chevelle/El Camino: 17 3/8" inches (19 1/16" with flange attached) Monte Carlo: 20 7/8" inches If you want to change the overall length of the intermediate shaft, it can be accomplished as follows: - heat up the dimples in the shaft (they are plastic) - since this is a 2 piece shaft (one goes into the other) with some persuasion the length can be shortened or lengthened In my case, I was able to take a big block Monte intermediate shaft and shorten it so I can use it for my big block El Camino project. Hope that helps someone out in the future. Thanks!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jft69z Posted March 17, 2021 Share Posted March 17, 2021 A side thought. Those shafts are supposed to collapse in the event of a collision is my understanding. Probably not a huge deal, but wondering if the longer M/C shaft will bottom out quicker now, or is the shaft length the same, just not inserted as deep in the chevelle unit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Brichta Posted March 17, 2021 Author Share Posted March 17, 2021 I believe the actual shafts are the same length just inserted at different lengths. Following that logic, the Chevelle one will bottom out sooner then the Monte. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jft69z Posted March 17, 2021 Share Posted March 17, 2021 So we can hit things at a faster rate of speed than a Chevelle/ElCo and still be safer, lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted March 17, 2021 Share Posted March 17, 2021 Just remember safety first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jft69z Posted March 17, 2021 Share Posted March 17, 2021 7 minutes ago, Dtret said: Just remember safety first. That used to be one of DuPont's catch phrases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted March 18, 2021 Share Posted March 18, 2021 I got my new boot and put the shaft back together today. Thanks Mike. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Brichta Posted March 18, 2021 Author Share Posted March 18, 2021 What, no pics?? We want to see the finished product. Lol I just ordered my boot today along with some other goodies. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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