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Thread: early 911/912 half shaft history?

  1. #1

    early 911/912 half shaft history?

    When did the 911 and 912 transition from Nadella to Lobro half shafts?

    My '66 had Lobros on it when I bought it in 1972, and of course I assumed this is how it came from the factory. But I've just had a dialog with Dan Beckett, who put together the group buy last year for the locking CV joint bolts. I purchased a set of 10mm bolts per his recommendation as being correct for a '66, and a month ago I finally got around to the installation, only to find that my Lobros use 8mm bolts.

    One of our esteemed suppliers lists only the 8mm bolts with the comment "converted to Lobro" . Another supplier only offers 10mm bolts. with the comment "Nadella half shafts"

    Was there a factory transition point, or was it common for owners to swap out shafts and flanges when the Nadellas wore out?

    thanks!
    Adam912.Out.

  2. #2
    Senior Member boba's Avatar
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    I can only offer my personal observation that my '68 912 has Nadella and my "early build 053" '69 E has Lobro. This gives a bit of timeline perspective, others may have more specific data.
    65 356SC Dolphin Gray
    66 912 Green
    69 911E Tangerine
    72 911T GP White
    72 911T Aubergine
    72 911T Lilac
    72 911S Black (voodoo)
    86 911 GP White Targa (now sons)
    90 964C4 Black Targa
    94 964C2 Black Coupe
    08 GT3 Speed Yellow

  3. #3
    Loud lederhosen saves lives hoffman912's Avatar
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    from the 912 registry website (this probably goes for the 64 911s too)
    Nadellas in the '65-'66 Porsche® 912
    Nadella halfshafts were only used on '65 and '66 911s and 912s (starting in 1967 the halfshafts were designed for constant velocity joints). The output flanges coupling the transaxle to the Nadellas are a unique design, with a keyway and different bolting pattern.

    Some potential advantages of Nadellas are:
    1) They can withstand high amounts of torque. They were also used on the 904 and 906 racecars.
    2) The joints are sealed.
    3) If you enter a concours, perhaps you can score extra points for originality.

    Some potential disadvantages of Nadellas are:
    1) They are not constant velocity.
    2) The lower joint is exposed to the weather, has no dust boot, and once it starts to wear out the Nadella must be rebuilt at a machine shop utilizing a universal joint with grease fitting.
    3) The integral mechanism to allow axial movement is not symmetric, so when extended they may not be in balance, which could create extra vibrations.

    To install a later transaxle with output flanges for CV joints into a 912 with Nadellas, or to convert from Nadellas to CVs, you'll need to assembly all the bits and pieces. CVs, half-shafts, and splined shafts to the wheels.

    New Nadellas have not been available for many years, and Nadellas with the joints in good condition are valuable, so if you decide to upgrade, don't discard the Nadellas, consider selling them to another '65-'66 owner, or a 904 or 906 racer!
    my 68 has cv's. i think the cut off was mid 66.. either way, if you have a 66 w/ them, they are likely original (type) to the car (may have been rebuilt though)
    Harry Hoffman
    1968 912 #3656, burgundy red 'Fritz'. Some mods..
    912 Registry charter member #912R0195-C
    Early 911S Registry Member #2070
    356 Registry Member #36691

    http://hoffman912.blogspot.com/

  4. #4
    Senior Member boba's Avatar
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    Harry, that is interesting information, I never thought about the switch over timeframe. I guess I just had it in my head as one of those SWB/LWB or 912/911 things and gave it no more thought.

    As I have plans to do some changes to the 912 in the future and have a couple of 901 cv boxes available I will save the Nanellas bits for one of those early car guys.
    65 356SC Dolphin Gray
    66 912 Green
    69 911E Tangerine
    72 911T GP White
    72 911T Aubergine
    72 911T Lilac
    72 911S Black (voodoo)
    86 911 GP White Targa (now sons)
    90 964C4 Black Targa
    94 964C2 Black Coupe
    08 GT3 Speed Yellow

  5. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by adam912 View Post
    When did the 911 and 912 transition from Nadella to Lobro half shafts?

    My '66 had Lobros on it when I bought it in 1972, and of course I assumed this is how it came from the factory. But I've just had a dialog with Dan Beckett, who put together the group buy last year for the locking CV joint bolts. I purchased a set of 10mm bolts per his recommendation as being correct for a '66, and a month ago I finally got around to the installation, only to find that my Lobros use 8mm bolts.

    One of our esteemed suppliers lists only the 8mm bolts with the comment "converted to Lobro" . Another supplier only offers 10mm bolts. with the comment "Nadella half shafts"

    Was there a factory transition point, or was it common for owners to swap out shafts and flanges when the Nadellas wore out?

    thanks!
    Adam912.Out.
    I haven't checked the parts manual but from experience I would think that around March 66 the change from Nadella to Lobro was introduced.

    Richard

  6. #6
    Loud lederhosen saves lives hoffman912's Avatar
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    I guess I just had it in my head as one of those SWB/LWB or 912/911 things and gave it no more thought.
    nope just unique to very early cars (through mid 66). yeah i would save em for either other early guys who want/need them or for some 904 or 906 racers.
    Harry Hoffman
    1968 912 #3656, burgundy red 'Fritz'. Some mods..
    912 Registry charter member #912R0195-C
    Early 911S Registry Member #2070
    356 Registry Member #36691

    http://hoffman912.blogspot.com/

  7. #7
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    The 906 Nadellas were of much heavier duty.
    Mike

  8. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by mike curnow View Post
    The 906 Nadellas were of much heavier duty.
    That is what I thought. The 904 nadella's are different too. However you can (at least) use the flanges.

    Richard

  9. #9
    Loud lederhosen saves lives hoffman912's Avatar
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    thanks! didnt know they were different, (never compared the two, and only saw the early 911/12 ones, and just went by what i had read)
    Harry Hoffman
    1968 912 #3656, burgundy red 'Fritz'. Some mods..
    912 Registry charter member #912R0195-C
    Early 911S Registry Member #2070
    356 Registry Member #36691

    http://hoffman912.blogspot.com/

  10. #10
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    My '66 912 had them installed and by the looks of it they had never been out of the car. A sure indicator of low miles. The cotter pin on the wheel nut was crimped in the German style and I should have taken a picture of it. Never touched since day one (until I got hold of it). It was a March build car. Also of interest, it seems more often than not, the left and right Nadellas were not matching. One being the thin shaft type and the other being the larger tube shaft type. I assume these are the ones considered stronger.

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