George L.-
Steel? That might work until the ISO-mounts go, and then I'm not sure I want to know what'll happen when the engine starts moving around a lot. I think the flex joints are rubber for a reason. The 82-series tractors, which came after the Quietline series (1450, etc.) use two of the rubber discs on either end of the driveshaft for a total of four. That setup lasts quite awhile. Not saying what you did won't work, but those engines will move around a bit and I think they'll crack the steel. The bolts won't go through the rag joint if the are tightened properly. Most I have seen have been tightened WAY too far. Let us know how it works.