Some of you need to chill the 'F out, LOL. Some of these terms have been around longer than I've been alive, and many vary with local and regional areas, as well as being changed over time by such things (back then) as car magazines and (now) the www. I can still remember a discussion with some guys in my early Navy days about what the meaning of "tall gears" is.
In the case of the "front shaft" going into your 4 speed, this has many names depending on what dealer you are in (GM, Ferd, other), what catalog you are lookin in, and who made the transmission, whether it be New Process, Clark, Borg Warner or whoever.
Mopar (used to) call this shaft a pinion. I don't hear too many of you on this board calling it that, so that means you are technically INCORRECT. Clutch gear, input shaft, main drive gear, are all terms used by someone or another for this same part.
