Yes, you need a longer driveshaft. In most applications the minimum is 3/4 inch and more than 1 inch is not necessary. This is measured with the rear suspension supported on safety stands or with the rear end on the ground.

 

I thought so. Thanks!

 

I built a 1929 Mercedes SSK kit car several years ago, and used a 1978 Mustang chassis to put the fiberglass body parts on. Well, at one point as I was assembling the frame with all the parts, the engine, tranny and rear end were on it. I measured the length that I needed because the existing driveshaft had to be shortened. Well, I used the tape measure that you can butt right up next to the work so you get a real accurate measurement, and I took the driveshaft to the machine shop to have it shortened. When I got it home I started to put it on the car and ****, I was 3 inches short. Yeah, yeah, I know. I forgot to add the three inches that is the length of the tape measure. So, I took it back and they added 3 inches to it. But, that was a costly mistake. So, since then, I always remember to measure twice and cut once.
I sold it a few years ago. It was a fun little car, but was only a Sunday afternoon driver.

 

I got a laugh out of that one. ha

They used a lot of mustang drivetrain for earlier kit cars, didn't they? Nice looking car!

 

soaring? dealing with a II? so...... II's ftw???? im a little confused here

 

Well, back in 1983 the only choice of a rolling chassis I had for the kit was a VW bug pan with the rear engine, or a Chevette, or a II Mustang. Well, I didn't want a 1929 Mercedes with a rear end engine, and I didn't want a friggin Chevelle drivetrain that was made in China, Korea or God knows where, so the logical choice was the four banger 78 Mustang. That little engine carted that little light fiberglass bodied car around just fine. When I went to the junk yard to get it, the engine ran OK. When I got the wrecked 78 home and took the enigne out, I tore it down and found two burned rod bearings, so I overhauled it. I drove it for amost 10 years but not very often, and mostly on Sunday afternoons and in parades. That was a 9K buck project I will not repeat.

 

I - like it. I think it would make a great touring car, top down, cooler with a couple of bottles of champagne, heading out to farm country. They do have farms in Texas, don't they?
Jim

 

Yep, we have a lot of hill country, too.

 

Richard, Sorry for the confusion, I was refering to Glen's kit car.
Jim

 

I was, too. We live about 20 miles apart.