Yet another pinion angle question.

[nachodog2]

So i'm picking up a rebuilt v8 camaro nwc trans and i need to set up my pinion angle. I know to set it up at ride height but i need to know if anyone has a diagram to follow. I have a '73 rearend with 3:73's over leaves so it's getting new perches, wanna do it right the first time and not guess at it. Thanx in advance.
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[Delmo]

Basically what you need to know is that the less angle the better and that the driveshaft angle to rear end needs to be the same as the driveshaft to trans (or drive line angle). Forget how many degrees the engine is at. Also it doesn't matter if the diff is pointing down or up as long as it's at the same angle in relation to the driveshaft that the front is.

Hope this makes sense. LOL

[nachodog2]

So for example, if 2 degrees down at trans i need 2 degrees up at rearend?
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[Delmo]

Yes or you can point it down as long as you can acheave the same angle as the front u joint. The u joint doesn't know or care what direction it's pointing as long as its the same angle as the front. Word up.

[nachodog2]

Sounds simple enough, thanks Delmo.
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[fleetsidelarry]

nachodog2, 1-piece or 2-piece drive shaft?

Originally Posted by Delmo

Basically what you need to know is that the less angle the better and that the driveshaft angle to rear end needs to be the same as the driveshaft to trans (or drive line angle). Forget how many degrees the engine is at. Also it doesn't matter if the diff is pointing down or up as long as it's at the same angle in relation to the driveshaft that the front is.

Hope this makes sense. LOL

just for clarification, for a 1-piece shaft the above results in having the pinion angle = to the engine/tranny CL, so you do have to know how many degrees the engine/tranny is. I mean, that's how you determine the front u-joint angle, right? And, "the less angle the better" is true except that it has to be something other than zero as the joints need some small angle to work properly.

the following is from a tech article by Dana/Spicer(http://www2.dana.com/pdf/J3311-1-HVTSS.PDF):


"When you rework a chassis or install a new driveshaft in a vehicle, make sure that you follow the basic rules that apply to universal
joint operating angles:
RULE 1: UNIVERSAL JOINT OPERATING ANGLES AT EACH END OF A DRIVESHAFT SHOULD ALWAYS BE AT LEAST 1 DEGREE.
RULE 2: UNIVERSAL JOINT OPERATING ANGLES ON EACH END OF A DRIVESHAFT SHOULD ALWAYS BE EQUAL WITHIN 1 DEGREE
OF EACH OTHER (ONE HALF DEGREE FOR MOTOR HOMES AND SHAFTS IN FRONT OF TRANSFER CASE OR AUXILIARY
DEVICE).
RULE 3: FOR VIRTUAL VIBRATION FREE PERFORMANCE, UNIVERSAL JOINT OPERATING ANGLES SHOULD NOT BE LARGER
THAN 3 DEGREES. IF THEY ARE, MAKE SURE THEY DO NOT EXCEED THE MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED ANGLES."

[nachodog2]

Good info larry, it's a 2 piece right now but I am going to a 1 piece after I install the t5.
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[Delmo]

Good info Larry. My point was the angle of the driveshaft to the drive line needs to be determined despite what degree the engine/trans is at.

[fleetsidelarry]

Delmo, I realize now that it might have sounded as if I was implying you were somehow wrong about the pinion angle. I didn't mean for it to come out that way. You were correct; I was just trying to clarify a couple of the points