Damaged 1974 Mustang 17

Joe - was browsing Bring a Trailer today and came across your name. This '62 looks beautiful. Hope you're making good progress with the boat

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1962-chevrolet-corvette-29/

MrMcD wrote: Pete can give you exact numbers but I think it has to be within .003 of straight to avoid issues..

Joe,
Mark is correct with the .003". But, besides the middle of the shaft, get a reading aft of the strut. It's a common place for shafts to bend. Set the shaft in the V blocks one up around the coupling and the other were the cutlass runs. Then dial the aft end of the taper looking for the max of .003.

I may have a 6a... give me a few days and I’ll try to put my hands on it.

Having the prop shaft look straight is not the same as being straight.
To check you mount the shaft in V blocks and rotate it while checking with a dial indicator to verify straight. Pete can give you exact numbers but I think it has to be within .003 of straight to avoid issues.
Your eye will not see a shaft that has a .015 bend but the V blocks and a dial indiator will find it.
I have a thin cut off blade for my 4" angle grinder. It makes short work cutting through things like the strut you may need to modify. I have cut thick steel with it so a brass strut should be no problem.

Yes, the prop end was cut 1" bringing the length down to 5" as mentioned. I pressed the cutlass in after the cut. I used a traditional 4" long brass/rubber cutlass.

Joe Calcagno wrote: I was told that it needed to be cut shorter. I asked if it needed to be just cut off with a hack saw or did it need to be sent to a machine shop. He answered: Hack saw works. Porta band works. Reciprocating saw works. No machine shop needed. Thanks, Joe

Joe,
I said:

8122pbrainard wrote: Joe, Yes, the 6A6 is the longer version of the 6A. I went through the same issue a couple years ago, bought the 6A6 and cut it down in length to match the original 5". I don't believe the 6A's are available so the 6A6 is the route to go.

8122pbrainard wrote: Joe Calcagno wrote: Okay, thank you. You say the 6A6 is too long so you cut it down. Did you do that with a saw, or was it necessary to take it to a machine shop to have it cut down to 5 inches? Joe Hack saw works. Porta band works. Reciprocating saw works. No machine shop needed.

It's the length through the bore where the cutlass is that I cut. The base is the same.

I was told that it needed to be cut shorter. I asked if it needed to be just cut off with a hack saw or did it need to be sent to a machine shop.
He answered:
Hack saw works. Porta band works. Reciprocating saw works. No machine shop needed.
Thanks, Joe

ok sorry couldnt help you out,back to the shed they go.

Joe Calcagno wrote: It's clear that we need a new strut, and the 6A is probably the one I need. I found a 6A6 for sale new but I'm told that it needs to be modified to fit our boat., Joe

Joe,
What were you told needed to be modified on the strut?

I don’t mind at all.
It’s interesting to note that I give technical advice on early Corvettes every day, and now I need help with my Correct Craft boat. If you look at my web site, you will see a link, “Ask Joe a Question”
I have answered two questions already today, and I enjoy doing it.
This forum is wonderful. Today I have learned a lot through the courtesy of your members.
Thank you,
Joe

Yes, it's a double taper shaft.
What's happening is that my son is doing the work in Truckee California and I'm here in Soquel bu Santa Cruz, trying to help with parts acquisition.
About nine years ago I changed the shaft to the double taper type but I didn't remember that. I had used the improved double taper then.
He's removing the parts to assess the damage and the information I'm getting is coming in hourly. It's clear that we need a new strut, and the 6A is probably the one I need. I found a 6A6 for sale new but I'm told that it needs to be modified to fit our boat.
Once again, I'm veery pleased to have the opportunity to talk with people at Correct Craft Fan.com.
I'm a Corvette restorer, so I'm out of my league when it comes to boats.
Sincerely,
Joe

93/70 ccpb wrote: hey joe,went to the parts shed i have a 40 shaft if you need it 75.00 plus shipping,let me know.ill try to post pic later.have not located a 6a or 6a6 strut yet.

Dan,
I have a feeling Joe will want to replace the shaft with a double taper.

Joe Calcagno wrote: I have the double tapered shaft in there right now. Sincerely, Joe Calcagno

Is the one you have a double?

Okay, that's great.
Thank you for all your help today.
Joe Calcagno

Joe Calcagno wrote: Okay, thank you. You say the 6A6 is too long so you cut it down. Did you do that with a saw, or was it necessary to take it to a machine shop to have it cut down to 5 inches? Joe

Hack saw works. Porta band works. Reciprocating saw works. No machine shop needed.

Okay, thank you. You say the 6A6 is too long so you cut it down. Did you do that with a saw, or was it necessary to take it to a machine shop to have it cut down to 5 inches?
Joe