MTFCA Forum

Can anyone show me a photo and/or supply dimensions of the locations of where the rivets that secure the front casting to the torque tube? I’m putting together a replica using the components that Lang’s sells but the new front casting has no rivet holes. Thanking anyone who can assist me in advance!

Hello Daren,
There are 4 rivets as show.

Thank you John so much for your quick response and the photos. This is perfect!!

Darren, be careful about getting the length of the whole tube correct. In my experience, you cannot rely on the shoulder for the machined section of the tube as a reference point for attaching the new casting. The length of that machined portion of the tube varies. To make an absolutely indistinguishable copy, I had to add weld around the tube to bring the shoulder closer to the new casting. Not necessary unless you are super critical.

Hope this helps, Allan from down under.

Why not get a real one? I had 2 at Hershey that I do not think sold. I will check my swap meet trailer if someone wants one. Dan

I would have liked an original but the cost of shipping to Canada is a bit of an issue, plus duties and taxes, and I had a donor to convert so that’s why I went this route.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned. If you are using a donor later model torque tube, the front casting will not cover all the rivet holes in the tube. When positioning the front casting make sure the flat front part is aligned with the end of the tube. This will require you filling two holes. I made the mistake of placing the front casting in a position so it covered the rivet holes in the donor tube and wound up having to make a spacer so the ujoint fit inside the ball as it should. The spacer was positioned between the ball and the front casting. Without the spacer the ujoint didn't fit inside the ball well and may have bottomed inside the tailshaft had I tried to install it.

Thanks again guys! I did notice I had to weld in two of the holes, so I did. It's all painted and ready to go! I had to make a riveting jig, and the rivets in the lathe. Everything worked out great! I did have an original one to take measurements off of that the owner didn't want to sell.