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I found a web site for “Remco Drive shaft Quick Disconnect”. Has anyone ever heard of them? They don’t list a kit for Pinto’s but there is one for a Ranger. Maybe it can be adapted??
Montie, Way back in 1955, I owned a 1941 Chrysler with “Freewheeling” which was a knob on the dash that, when pulled out, disconnected the drive shaft and allowed the car to coast down hills. This supposedly increased mileage as the engine would drop down to idle speed. It did, however, since there was no engine braking, increase wear on the braking system. It is my recollection that it was outlawed as dangerous because of this. I think that the Remco system is a similar device which is basically a 1 speed transmission with neutral. You may be able to get some innovative shop that has no box to think in, to make or adapt a small manual transmission directly behind your auto tranny. You would not need the clutch. I’d bet that Gabe would have some advice along these lines.
orYou might want to spend some time on Recreational Vehicle sites since these guys tow regularly. When I had my RV, I regularly towed a car with an auto tranny that supposedly “couldn’t be towed 4-flat”. I got advice from RV’ers that if I towed less than 60 mph and stopped every couple of hours, got out, started the toad (towed vehicle) an let it idle in neutral for 15 minutes, everything would be ok. You likely will find some good advice from someone else that has towed a Pinto.Seriously? Why are we trying to make a project out of this?
Roy, I know you’ve disconnected a driveshaft in your day, once or twice.Montie, maybe you have not. So here’s the news: The hard part is jacking up the car and getting the jack stands under it. That will take you 15 minutes the first time.The drive shaft U joints have something like half inch or 12mm nuts on the ends. Remove those, there will be a total of four, from opposite sides of the joint. Then push the U-shaped clamp thingies out and slide the driveshaft forward. It is now free.You’ll want to keep the U clamp thingies in a safe place. Like a ziplock baggie in the glove box.Then wrap duct tape around the outside of the U joint itself. This is to keep the “caps” on the ends. They’re just sitting there on needle bearings and can (probably won’t, but can) fall off if you don’t tape them. Two wraps should do it.Now get some mechanic’s wire and loop it around the drive shaft just ahead of the U joint, and tie it to something metal under the car, so the drive shaft is held up at least as high as the rear end pumpkin. It doesn’t have to be lined up with the rear end.Jack her down, store your jack stands and jack in your tow vehicle, and flat or dolly-tow to Carlisle.When you arrive at the hotel parking lot, be sure to talk first about how far you’ve come and how easy the journey was, while rubbing your back. 😉You will be given beer, and someone (not me, probably, but someone) (maybe Wobby) will, without asking you permission, climb under your car to begin the process of reattaching your driveshaft.Remember to protest that this is not necessary. But do not help. Sip your beer, hand those U-joint thingies to whoever is under your car, and sip your beer.Welcome to Carlisle.Ed, Yes I have disconnected once or twice for sure. Disconnecting is painlessly easy, but for some reason, I thought Montie didn’t want to do it thi way. As far as I’m concerned, disconnect is the easyest and best way.
Montie, If all this fails to interest you, I have known people who flat towed their auto transmission car while leaving it idling, in neutral, the whole trip. This keeps the auto tranny pump going lubricating the output shaft and really, according to them, doesn’t use “much” gas. I never did it.
If there is no convenient place to hang the disconnected driveshaft, many people carry a spare front yoke to seal the trannie and remove the driveshaft completely.
I have disconnected my share of drive shafts in the past too. Some are gravy others a real pain. Just looking for a quicker easier way (I’m getting lazy in my old age). Also, as I’ve gotten older I have a hard time getting under cars laying on my back and looking up (dizzy after a few minutes). Maybe it has to do with bifocals it started about the time I got them. I’m fine if the cars up on a rack or high enough to sit under. When the weather warms up a bit I’ll raise her up in the garage and see how easy it goes, I don’t want to impose on anyone when I get there. Anyone else beside me, thinking I’m making a “Rube Goldburg” out of this.
I think you’re adding just another wear item and point of potential failure…
Early FF TDr on 69 VW pan
Slowly coming back from the ashes...Your probably right, I’m making something relatively easy into a expensive, un-necessary convenience.
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