Chapter 16 - I Need Some Backbone
Now that I have the new driveshaft in place, we look at the next problem. Besides the standard ladder type frame, GM added a frame member parallel to the driveshaft. It's bolted to the transmission at one end and the differential at the other. Some call it a "torque tube," GM calls it the backbone of the Corvette, and like the driveshaft, it now needs to be a little longer.
As you can see in the photo, it is about 21 inches too short. I had been thinking about this problem for weeks. Everyone agreed that it would not be cheap to have a new one made, and it was a rare machine shop that would be willing to even try. But, it had to be done.
Some time in the future, I may get a new torque tube made from carbon fiber. But right now I will have to make do with bubble gum and baling wire.
So it's back to the hardware store, where I buy two 3 foot sections of steel bar stock. They are one inch square, hollow, and have lots of holes, all of them too small. I cut and I drill, and I measure and cut, and drill and measure, and cut and grind. And I bolt the whole mess in place.
It looks like crap, but should get me by for now. Beautiful will have to wait for another day.