Reply to "335 series engines used in Pantera (429/460/514)?"

That's right my friend.

U-joints like to only move in one plane at a time. That is why constant velocity joints are used on front drive cars where the wheels are turning left & right and moving up & down at the same time. Extreme angles & dual angles create additional heat in the u-joint which will lead to premature failure.

If you look carefully, you'll see that the Pantera half shafts actually do angle forward a small amount already. The 385 conversion moves the tranny backwards a bit, and increases that angle, which will shorten the life of the u-joints. Speed cost money, that's part of the price of a 385 conversion.

That small forward angle of the half shafts is why there are CV axles available as an upgrade for the Pantera. I also believe CV joints have less internal friction, and therefore transmit more bhp to the rear wheels than u-joints.

your stiff jointed friend on the DTBB, George