TKO Short Input Shaft

[Jon Miller]

Hi Guys,

The time has come to upgrade from Top Loader to a TKO, and it's a straight bolt in as long as I use a short input shaft. I think I will need to spend the extra $125-$150 for the short shaft, but I do own a lathe......

If the input is hardened it may not respond well to being cut down, but maybe not. I hope that one of you guys has tried this, and could let me know how it went.

Thanks!
Jon

P.S. If any of you are looking to go 6 speed, I am not opposed to taking that nasty old beat up TKO off your hands.

[blykins]

There's more to it than just trimming the pilot end down. The pilot needs to be extended back into the gear, then you will have to make the splines extend further down onto the input shaft.

You have to trim down the bearing retainer as well.

[Jerry Clayton]

and they do have an adapter plate also so you can use the long shaft with your present bellhousing

[Clois Harlan]

I have one that I was going to use with my FE 427 but I have not found the energy to make the switch yet. Got all the parts just need to do it now because I have my engine in to be freshened up with new bearings, rings,etc.

By the way if you have a 600 with the long bearing, I have seen the input shaft and retainer on ebay New for $100 or so.

Clois

[Caprimaniac]

We've cut them down with success.

But watch out and check if the length of the splines will we OK, extension might be required as Brent say.