Pile of Parts
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:53 am
Location: Denton, Texas
Need Advice re: U-Joints for KB3
I am having a devil of a time finding the correct u-joints for a 1947 IH KB3 (has a GRD 214 power plant with a 3 speed transmission). The u-joints are an inside snap ring (ISR) and low wing bearing type with a 1.12" cap diameter, 3.30" between the ISRs, 4.23" pilot diameter and 1.43" between wing bolt holes. The front and rear u-joints have the exact same measurements (as I would have expected) but the rear u-joint is a low wing threaded (LWT) whereas the front u-joint is a low wing drilled (or non-threaded (LWD)). I didn't notice the difference in the bolt holes (threaded vs. non-threaded) until after I purchased two (2) Neapco 3-4152 u-joints which work perfectly for the rear u-joint but no so much for the front u-joint. So far I have struck out finding a u-joint with the referenced measurements that is a LWD (non-threaded). I tried several of the IHC parts dealers as well as few drivetrain specialist shops around the country but no dice. My reason for posting this thread is to see if anyone else has run into this problem and to see if anyone can offer suggestions, advice, etc.
RJ at Outback Parts told me that the u-joints (front and back) should be identical for the KB3 so he thinks that someone may have changed out the yoke sometime during the life of this truck and matched a u-joint to make it work. If no one has any suggestions then I guess the most logical solution would be to drill the threaded bolt holes in the Neapco 3-4152 u-joints to make it work or find a replacement yoke that will work with the Neapco 3-4152 u-joint.
Any thoughts, suggestions or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks for your time!!
Keith
1947 IH KB3