Transmissions and Drivetrain Need help with your trans? Problems with your axle?

Th400 short tail or long tail?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 19, 2009 | 07:51 AM
  #1  
Gary Berg's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
Car: 86 T/A WS6/Future project
Engine: 350 TPI/ Pontiac 455
Transmission: 700R4/TH400
Axle/Gears: Posi.
Th400 short tail or long tail?

Hi im doing a pontiac 455 engine and th400 tranny swap into a thirdgen and i was wondering what is the difference between long tail and short tail th400's? pictures would be nice.
Thanks, Gary
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2009 | 08:14 AM
  #2  
AlkyIROC's Avatar
Moderator
25 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 17,268
Likes: 169
From: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Re: Th400 short tail or long tail?

I'm not sure there is such a thing with a TH400. All the ones I've ever seen have a short tailshaft.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2009 | 08:18 AM
  #3  
50bmgshooter's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
Re: Th400 short tail or long tail?

there is a long and short tail 400
nobody builds long tails for racing
the tail shaft is to long and cant hold up to the power
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2009 | 08:24 AM
  #4  
Atilla the Fun's Avatar
On Probation
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,319
Likes: 19
From: Northern Utah
Car: seeking '90.5-'92 'bird hardtop
Engine: several
Transmission: none
Axle/Gears: none
Re: Th400 short tail or long tail?

Didn't you get one with the engine? You can't run your third-gen's original driveshaft, so you can use either short or long. Long has the benefit of a shorter driveshaft, reducing unsprung weight. But short, if you already have it, has the benefit of you already having it, if you do. (redundant, huh?) And if you're making enough power to need a TH400, then you're making enough to need a driveshaft with a stronger tube than just having your stock one shortened and fitted with a TH400 slip yoke. If I'm not mistaken, the Hurst kit will work with either, if you wanna run your stock torque arm. The BMR Fabrication torque arm is a good bit shorter, so again, you could go either way. As for the mounting, no difference. Doing a driveshaft loop may prove easier with a short-tail. If you want to add a GearVendors OD, you'll need the short tail. Sorry, no pics.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2009 | 10:26 AM
  #5  
Gary Berg's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
Car: 86 T/A WS6/Future project
Engine: 350 TPI/ Pontiac 455
Transmission: 700R4/TH400
Axle/Gears: Posi.
Re: Th400 short tail or long tail?

i think its a short tail. i searched it and mine looks like the short tail. i know i cant run the original driveshaft im going to buy a driveshaft from spohn.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2009 | 10:59 AM
  #6  
50bmgshooter's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
Re: Th400 short tail or long tail?

tail housing on a short tail is about 6" and on a long tail its about 12" IIRC
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2009 | 11:20 AM
  #7  
Gary Berg's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
Car: 86 T/A WS6/Future project
Engine: 350 TPI/ Pontiac 455
Transmission: 700R4/TH400
Axle/Gears: Posi.
Re: Th400 short tail or long tail?

ok ya its def. short tail ill try to get pics to confirm.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2009 | 11:23 AM
  #8  
Gary Berg's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
Car: 86 T/A WS6/Future project
Engine: 350 TPI/ Pontiac 455
Transmission: 700R4/TH400
Axle/Gears: Posi.
Re: Th400 short tail or long tail?

Reply
Old Mar 19, 2009 | 11:31 AM
  #9  
Atilla the Fun's Avatar
On Probation
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,319
Likes: 19
From: Northern Utah
Car: seeking '90.5-'92 'bird hardtop
Engine: several
Transmission: none
Axle/Gears: none
Re: Th400 short tail or long tail?

that's the short.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2009 | 11:45 AM
  #10  
50bmgshooter's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
Re: Th400 short tail or long tail?

Reply
Old Mar 19, 2009 | 02:10 PM
  #11  
Gary Berg's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
Car: 86 T/A WS6/Future project
Engine: 350 TPI/ Pontiac 455
Transmission: 700R4/TH400
Axle/Gears: Posi.
Re: Th400 short tail or long tail?

Are they better than the long tail? im eventually going to make it a street/strip car.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2009 | 05:17 PM
  #12  
50bmgshooter's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
Re: Th400 short tail or long tail?

yes the tail shaft is longer and not supported right for higher hp
thats why all tranny shops build short tails
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dmtz956
LSX and LTX Parts
1
Sep 7, 2015 10:16 PM
florida_gators
Exterior Parts Wanted
1
Sep 7, 2015 07:19 PM
FtrSpeedy
Tech / General Engine
2
Sep 7, 2015 12:11 PM
BOOT77
TPI
3
Sep 5, 2015 03:55 PM
rudolphschenker
Transmissions and Drivetrain
1
Sep 4, 2015 02:41 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:42 PM.